GAZon Next is a five-ton truck produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant since 2014. It represents the fifth generation of GAZ trucks. The vehicle differs significantly from previous variations of trucks, however, some components, along with power units, migrated from the previous Lawn-3309.
It was 2014 that was the most significant year for the enterprise in Gorky. The company introduced people to one of the most important new models of the decade in its own product line. It was planned that GAZon Next, like GAZelle Next, would be capable of conquering not only the domestic but also the foreign market. The entire GAZ model range.
The main emphasis at the Nizhny Novgorod enterprise was on localization. You can confidently call the car “yours.” Up to 90 percent of all elements that are present in its design are produced on the territory of the Russian Federation. This is precisely the most important advantage of a vehicle that is guaranteed a bright future.
The model is not only cute, but also reliable. These qualities allow it to be the most important contender for a leadership position in the category of medium-duty trucks in the Russian Federation.
Now the Gorky Automobile Plant can offer the GAZon Next dump truck and the GAZon Next City - new interesting vehicles. For bad roads, a Next 4x4 LAWN was provided. In this article you can learn about the carrying capacity, fuel consumption, and reviews of the new car.
Car history
When 2014 arrived, the Gorky Automobile Plant Group, following a series of intriguing announcements, was able to present a car that was original for the Russian Federation - GAZon Next.
The new product was positioned as a replacement for several well-known generations. Initially, the company decided to say goodbye to the GAZ-3307 car, the production of which began in Soviet times (1987).
GAZ-3307
After approximately 30 years of production, the truck has become significantly outdated, despite a whole list of improvements. Taking all this into account, marketing specialists did not rack their brains and decided to name the new vehicle “Lawn”.
By the way, this is precisely the way people used to call the company’s past issues. The model even became the successor to the latest generation GAZ-33088. Over 25 years, the company was able to sell more than 2,000,000 GAZ-3307 and 33088 models.
GAZ-33088
Moreover, almost a million of them continue to be successfully operated today. But taking into account medium and small businesses, due to the need to update machines, I began to buy foreign analogues more often.
Consumers did not want to purchase outdated equipment, even if its pricing was not so high. In part, this was the reason for designing a completely new model.
LAWN Next turned out to be completely original, and in appearance it has nothing in common with all its predecessors. This allowed the model to attract justified attention and start using this car.
During the premiere display of the truck, the President of the Russian Federation was present, which indicated the considerable importance of such an event. Manufacturers promised potential buyers the durability of the model and excellent performance.
Despite the good localization of production, the car is a fusion of domestic and foreign elements. Therefore, the new GAZon Next acquired the cabin of the latest generation of GAZelle, the clutch was installed by ZF (Germany), and the brake system was installed by Valdai. A similar principle provided the opportunity to make a high-quality car.
The history of GAZON Next includes not a single family, and the car itself is just beginning to gain popularity. But the design team is confident that in the medium-duty section, GAZon Next will be able to beat many competitors.
In its standard configuration and platform, the car can transport up to 5 thousand kilograms, which makes it one of the best compared to other models.
The manufacturer will offer several design options, which differ in the type of wheelbase (4x4, 4x2), ground clearance (315 and 265 mm), as well as the length of the platform (standard or an extended modification).
The car is not only a narrow-profile truck, but a large family, which is divided into 3 groups: off-road, universal and urban. The off-road version is considered to be the successor of the 66th Lawn (the presence of a modernized platform and a unique technical component).
The 2nd one looks a little like the standard Lawn 3307, which, as a result, allowed it to get rather large wheels, a respectable ground clearance and good cross-country ability. The most important drawback of this model is its solid loading height.
The urban modification does not have this disadvantage by installing wheels with a smaller diameter, but they will not be suitable for rough roads. Any of the modifications can have two types of cabins (three- and seven-seat cabin).
Fifth generation Gorky resident
In the history of the Gorky Automobile Plant there were also opposite situations, when a new cabin was installed on an almost unchanged aggregate base. This was the case, for example, in the situation with the replacement of the post-war GAZ-51 worker with the GAZ-52 family of medium-duty trucks, where the “fifty-second” of the first series, in fact, was a “fifty-first” chassis with a new cabin, and they were produced in parallel since 1966 all the way back to 1975
In this regard, the story of the appearance of the fourth-generation GAZ-3307 medium-duty truck, which replaced the GAZ-53 on the assembly line, is also not original. For a number of components and assemblies, the new car was identical to the previous one, and it was conceived as a transitional version from the old carburetor “fifty-third” to the then unusual diesel GAZ-4301. True, as you know, there is nothing more permanent than temporary. Trucks of the GAZ-3307, -3309 family are still produced, but a more progressive diesel model with an air-cooled engine was discontinued in the early 1990s. All subsequent diesel GAZ-3309 are interpretations based on the “3307”, and not completely new models, which the GAZ-4301 was.
The new “GAZon Next” is not like that, and changes in its design are not limited to just installing a new cabin. The truck borrowed a certain share of innovations from the GAZ-3310 Valdai delivery truck; others were first tested on the new generation GAZelle Next and on other GAZ Group products. The result is a completely modern product, which also has no analogues on the Russian market. All medium-tonnage trucks with a lifting capacity of 5 tons presented on the Russian market have a cabover cab layout and are intended for urban use. The new bonneted “GAZon” acts in two guises at once: as a general-purpose truck (the so-called “universal” modification) and as a delivery vehicle (City modification).
Appearance
The very first thing that catches your eye on a new truck is the design of the cab. With its silhouette, it looks a little like Gazelle Next. Here you can also find angular, laconic and business style.
The medium-duty truck has the installation of modern elegant optics, a fully updated interior, which has 3 comfortable seats. For the first time in the entire history of truck families, the Gorky Automobile Plant began to use plastic front fenders, and the cab itself received a galvanized coating.
It is important to note that in previous Lawn models the cabin was a weak point - it almost immediately began to rust. New trucks now have voluminous side mirrors called “burdocks,” which significantly increase the driver’s visibility.
As a separate option they can be supplied with an electric heating option. They decided to add a massive bumper to the Lawn Next cabin, which made the car a little angular. The appearance of the car cannot be called super attractive, but in a stream of vehicles the new product can immediately stand out.
If we talk about the body itself, it is made of steel. As a separate option, you can order an aluminum body, which has increased corrosion resistance. LAWN Next City received a reduced loading/unloading height, which made it more suitable for work in cities.
Interior
Inside, the Next modification has become much more spacious - about 1/3 more than the Lawn 3307. When you are inside, you understand that it has become more comfortable, because of this you even doubt a little whether this is a domestic car?
The interior space is largely similar to elements of the Gazelle Next. It is convenient to keep an eye on the road; the driver is helped by a fairly high seating position and a massive windshield. There are also innovations that are non-standard for cars of the Gorky Automobile Plant, such as:
- Electric windows;
- Air conditioning;
- Cruise control;
- Heated seats.
And all this comes as standard. Volga passenger sedans cannot even dream of this, but the Russian truck has it all! In front of the driver is a 4-spoke multi-steering wheel, which looks quite modern, almost the same as on other foreign cars.
GAZ-Next has a standard audio system with a CD player that supports the MP3 format, and also provides for mounting a pair of music speakers. The gas (accelerator) pedal is electronically controlled, but time will tell whether this can be considered an advantage given the quality of domestic spare parts.
Inside it can comfortably accommodate 3 adults, although a double cabin can be ordered with a driver and 6 passengers. Everything is quite simple, but at the same time convenient. The designers of the Gorky Automobile Plant did a good job on a comfortable fit, good ventilation and noise insulation.
The Lawn Next cabin can accommodate 3 adults
They also stiffened the driver's compartment with Anvis mounts. The driver's seat has a large number of settings and a mechanical suspension, which minimizes driver fatigue even during a long trip.
The basic configuration also has armrests. The instrument panel looks intuitive and quite clear, there is a pleasant backlight. The center console has a free niche for installing third-party multimedia devices.
Specifications
Power unit
In order to successfully move this vehicle, the design staff provided for the presence of a Yaroslavl turbocharged four-cylinder diesel 4.4-liter engine - YaMZ 5344.
The engine develops 137 horsepower. It has a charge air cooler. The installation of the debut version of such an engine began on the Lawn 3309 in 2013. The engine has become quite successful, as eloquently evidenced by the award that was received for the best innovative technology from the Adam Smith Institute.
Engine YaMZ 5344
It was they who were awarded to the Yaroslavl enterprise for such a motor. The power unit was modernized, improving it compared to the standard series. The technical component of the motor fully meets all European standards.
If we compare it with the “capricious” American Cummins engine, which is assembled on Chinese territory, then the domestic engine “digests” any diesel fuel better, and given Russian conditions, this is a clear advantage.
YaMZ is well adapted to the conditions of use and tolerates intense work well during low temperature conditions. If the engineering staff decided to install the “American”, then they would clearly be able to ruin the GAZon Next car owners.
Despite the increased volume, compared to Cummins, the Yaroslavl power unit operates quieter than its previous model on the GAZon 3309. According to the company, the YaMZ-5344 is considered one of the most modern engines, and it has a service life of up to 700 thousand kilometers.
With the help of well-chosen gear ratios of the gearbox, maximum loads do not appear even in difficult situations, which allows the engine to function for a longer time. YaMZ-5344 meets European standards Euro-4.
An alternative is to install an American 3.76-liter Cummnins ISF power unit, which produces 152.3 horsepower. He performed well when working with domestic fuel.
It is not afraid of severe frosts either, but the presence of pre-heating is only optional here. The engine has 4 strokes, is air cooled and is liquid cooled. The American is very similar to its direct “competitor,” but not the same.
The motor also meets Euro-4 environmental standards. All versions can accelerate to 110 km/h. The average fuel consumption per 100 kilometers will be 18 liters at a speed limit of 80 km/h. If you move at 60 kilometers per hour, consumption will drop to 13.6 liters per hundred. The model can climb up to 30 degrees.
Transmission
Here the engineering staff decided to install a non-alternative 5-speed manual gearbox. But it is also noticeably different from previous models. The gearbox and electronic accelerator pedal can be controlled using the joystick.
The box has become more reliable, but the price has increased slightly. At 2nd and 5th speeds there are Italian Oerlikon Graziano synchronizers. Together with the grinding of the gear teeth, they provide almost silent operation of the gearbox, which increases the strength of the entire assembly and guarantees easy gear shifting.
In addition, in this box the thickness of the gears was increased, foreign-made SKF bearings were installed, and Simrit and Rubena cuffs were used, which prevent leakage.
The clutch was used from Sachs ZF, which, by the way, is dry and single-disc. In this car, there is no longer any need to depress the clutch twice and shift the gas – “Well, finally,” every owner will say!
Suspension
The model received a completely different suspension. Based on the test drive, the ride of the GAZon Next is now softer, and during braking the truck does not throw from side to side, which could very often be observed with the GAZ-3307.
A reinforced frame was installed, although it was almost impossible to break it even on the 53rd Lawn. It has anti-corrosion protection, where there is a cataphoresis coating. The Gorky Automobile Plant also began to use the ABS and ASR systems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrbApqq82IY
Just a few years ago, most would have considered the installation of such systems on our cars to be a fantasy, but today it is a reality. The workers of the Nizhny Novgorod enterprise were able to modernize the springs installed in front.
The suspension has anti-roll bars (rear and front), as well as Tenneco shock absorbers, which reduce vibrations. The use of air suspension is only in plans for now.
Brake system
It may surprise you, but all wheels of the new LAWN are equipped with disc brakes. Moreover, the company said that it did so by increasing efficiency. So now it is calculated for weights up to 12,000 kilograms.
You can press the brake pedal lightly and still feel a fairly quick response. As mentioned above, the new and modern truck is equipped with systems such as ASR (Wabco), EBD and ABS.
With the help of ASR, it is possible to reduce slipping of the rear wheels, which increases the acceleration speed. With the help of the latest implementation, the truck can move off more confidently on gravel or ice.
On top of that, the engineers have provided the ability to disable this system if necessary. The brake system has a brake pad wear indicator, the service life of which is 200 thousand kilometers. If we take the Lawn Next modification with all-wheel drive, then the basic models come with drum brakes.
Steering
The steering wheel itself turned out to be quite ergonomic, but it can only be adjusted vertically.
It has built-in radio controls. To make it convenient and pleasant to drive a medium-duty truck, it is equipped with a modern hydraulic power steering from ZFLS, which operates quite quietly. The steering wheel now has a reduced radius, which makes it more comfortable to drive. Specifications
| Model | C41R11 | C41R31 |
| Length | 6435 mm | 7910 mm |
| Width | 2307 mm | 2307 mm |
| Height | 2418 mm | 2418 mm |
| Ground clearance | 265 mm | 265 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3770 mm | 4515 mm |
| Front track | 1740 mm | 1740 mm |
| Rear track | 1690 mm | 1690 mm |
| Full mass | 8700 kg | 8700 kg |
| Load capacity | 5000 kg | 4700 kg |
| Maximum speed | 110 km/h | |
| Engine | YaMZ 5344 / Cummins ISF | |
| Type | diesel 4-stroke with turbocharging and charge air cooler | |
| Environmental class | Euro 4 | |
| Working volume, l | 4,43/3,76 | |
| Number of cylinders and their location | 4, vertically in a row | |
| Rated power, kW (hp) | 109,5 (148,9)/112 (152,3) | |
| Maximum torque, Nm | 497/490 | |
| Clutch | Sachs ZF single disc dry | |
| checkpoint | 5 manual transmission | |
| Suspension front/rear | leaf spring with anti-roll bar | |
| Steering | integral steering gear | |
| Shock absorbers | hydraulic telescopic double acting | |
| Brake system | pneumatic with ABS | |
Application of GAZon NEXT vans
Sandwich panel vans are known for their excellent ability to maintain the required temperature level.
In addition to transporting food, medicines and plants, the van is excellent at transporting bottled water. Of course, there are special vans for this, but it is worth noting that using an isothermal or sandwich van is a good solution to the problem, and its price is lower than that of a specialized one.
For a certain category of entrepreneurs, a van-carrier , which is constructed from polyurethane foam sandwich panels with an additional heat-insulating layer, is in demand.
In such vans, special emphasis is placed on the roof, which is designed to withstand the high load created by meat carcasses suspended from hooks from the ceiling. The design includes U-shaped guides designed to move carcasses on metal hooks.
When designing the carcass transporter LAWN NEXT, the inertial force from carcasses is also taken into account. With a high center of gravity, the car becomes unstable. To improve stability, a stabilizer bar is installed and the truck frame is strengthened.
Modifications
A universal model, an off-road “Sadko” with a rotational module and an urban model are provided. There is a standard and extended car platform. Models – C41R11 and C41R31. There is also GAZon Next C42. The car is not only an onboard vehicle; various modifications are made on its platform, such as:
- Tanks;
- Vans;
- Tow trucks and manipulators;
- Aerial platforms;
- Dump trucks;
- Pickups;
- Special equipment.
GAZon Next aerial platform
Since 2016, the Gorky Automobile Plant plans to begin production of a serially produced truck tractor, on the platform of which road trains will be created. It will be able to transport about 10 tons, and the total weight will reach 16,800 kilograms.
However, it is unlikely that the engine used will be able to cope with such loads, so, most likely, Nizhny Novgorod residents will be faced with a new task - to develop a new power unit for the machine. There is a GAZon Next dump truck and a GAZon Next pickup truck.
Body types for small business needs
In small businesses, the most popular will be the Lawn Next Europlatform, side lawn and van. These three body types can transport a full range of packaged commercial goods. Loading and unloading is done manually or using standard loading equipment, mainly forklifts. The use of machines with CMU is quite beneficial. The presence of a crane allows you to radically reduce the cost of loading and unloading. The CMU itself weighs no more than 600 kg and does not greatly reduce the load-carrying capacity of the machine.
In small businesses related to food products, Lawn Next refrigerated and Lawn Next isothermal are in demand. The drive of the refrigeration unit comes from the on-board network. This is done in small-capacity refrigerators, which are loaded with already frozen products.
Today, the Lawn Next series is constantly updated with new modifications. For example, there is an extended version of the Lawn Next super (the length of the “super” platform is 7 m), the Lawn Next pickup and other models.
Price
A flatbed truck with a single-row cab will cost from RUB 1,580,000. As a separate option, you can install a radio, cruise control, heated seats and electric windows.
The model also has an “urban” version, “GAZon Next City”, which has wheels of reduced diameter, and also has a reduced loading height, along with a reduced turning radius. A similar model of GAZon Next City will cost 10,000 rubles. expensive.
Modification with 2-row cab
A modification with a 2-row cabin designed for 7 seats will be priced from RUB 1,655,000. It is possible to order a car to suit your needs, but the price tag will be obviously higher. The extended version of the C41R31 will be priced from RUB 1,830,000 with standard equipment.
Special versions start at 1,700,000 rubles. Even though the car is new, there is already an opportunity to purchase a truck second-hand. The price will vary from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 rubles, depending on the modification, equipment and general condition of the model.
Variability
The universal “GAZon Next” is equipped with old-format wheels with collapsible rims and tires measuring 8.25 R20, providing ground clearance of 25.5 cm. The delivery version of the vehicle for city and highway use involves the installation of “European format” wheels with non-separable rims and tires with a dimension of 245/70 R19.5, providing significantly lower ground clearance at 19 cm and a lower loading height. The final drive ratio has also been changed from 4.55 for the universal model to 3.9 for the City road bike. Perhaps these are the main differences between the “collective farmer” and the “road driver”, since other changes that adapt the car to a particular area of operation can be added to the options. Take, for example, the same cabin, the passenger module of which is borrowed from the GAZelle Next: it can be a short 3-seater or an extended two-row 7-seater. The extended version of the cab on a general-purpose truck can be used to transport work crews, and on a “road truck” the sofa of the second row of seats with a reclining back can well serve as a berth for a shift driver.
Regardless of the purpose, the GAZon Next is available in two wheelbase lengths: standard (3770 mm) and extended to 4515 mm, and the extension is achieved by a not very technologically advanced method: cutting the frame in the middle and inserting a steel spar extension. Archaic? Yes, but the development of a completely new frame with a constant cross-section along its entire length would require new financial investments and would not allow cars of the previous and new generations to be assembled on the same conveyor line.
In a similar way, the rear overhang of the frame is lengthened on the longest side version, which is almost 8 m in length. The size of the side platform on such a machine can reach 5.2 m. In the standard version, the body length does not reach 4 m. In the standard version the version in which the first GAZons went on sale, the onboard platform with steel sides was borrowed from the GAZ-3307/-3309. In the future, a platform of increased volume with aluminum sides will be offered, which can accommodate 9 Euro pallets with a standard base and 12 with an extended base. On cars of the previous model range, for example, their number did not exceed 6 and 10 euro pallets, respectively. Numerous companies across the country have already begun installing all kinds of add-ons on the GAZon Next chassis. The Gorky Automobile Plant made a real gift for them, leaving the useful length of the frame and attachment points for attachments the same.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros of the car
- Pleasant external design;
- Good technical equipment;
- Much easier to operate than its predecessor;
- The model costs significantly less than foreign analogues;
- Good dynamic characteristics;
- Convenient and comfortable interior;
- The driver's seat is adjustable and pleasant to sit on;
- The steering column is adjustable;
- Compact with good capacity;
- Simplicity of design;
- Availability of spare parts;
- Good maintainability;
- You can load/unload where there is limited space;
- Factory warranty for 150,000 kilometers or 3 years;
- New front optics;
- Availability of electronic systems such as ABS, ASR and EBD;
- Quite powerful power units;
- Good gearbox;
- Improved visibility;
- Various modifications;
- Clear controls;
- There is an all-wheel drive modification;
- Good maneuverability;
- There are disc brakes on all wheels;
- There is a hydraulic power steering wheel;
- Lots of free space in the cabin;
- Low fuel consumption.
Cons of the car
- The suspension is very stiff, this is especially felt when driving an empty car;
- The location of the hazard warning switch in the cabin is not entirely convenient;
- The quality of the materials used when finishing the cabin suffers greatly;
- The very level of build quality;
- Sometimes the electronics simply fail;
- The electronic gas pedal often fails;
- Low level of service;
- The car does not always drive straight - after releasing the steering wheel, the car may move to the side;
- There is vibration while driving;
- Due to the pull to the side, the rubber is heavily eaten;
- At any moment, YaMZ may begin to leak oil;
- Weak bearings, hubs;
- Antifreeze often flows through the pipes (due to loose clamps tightened at the factory);
- The leaves on the springs burst.
Ergonomics
The company's specialists and designers paid great attention to the ergonomics and driving performance of the vehicle. was powered, allowing the dump truck to respond precisely to the control specified by the driver. For which, by the way, a lot of additional comfortable means were also made, which could make the driving process even more comfortable.
We are talking about a chair that completely follows the anatomical structure of the human body, and also has five adjustments to its position so that each individual driver can adjust the seat “to suit himself.”
Car modification
Excellent cabin ergonomics allow the driver to control the machine almost intuitively. This means that the buttons and control levers are located at arm's length, which allows the driver to manipulate them with ease. Compare with the ergonomics of the Terrion tractor.
Many note the high visibility of the cabin, which was achieved by increasing the space in the cabin. Sound insulation is also at a high level.
Let's sum it up
As some say, at the automobile plant in Gorky there is such a “tradition” - initially to create a brand new car, and then, slowly, begin to bring it to fruition. It's a little funny, but unfortunately true. Therefore, it feels that today the GAZon Next is still a crude vehicle.
3 years will pass, then you can confidently purchase this model. Although, it is necessary to pay tribute to the design department of the plant. After all, old cars, along with their archaic design and technical equipment, have simply become obsolete. It’s just that, logically, a new model suggested itself, otherwise GAZ could simply lose its products.
Cargo-passenger LAWN Next
But foreign companies are not sitting idly by either, so our specialists decided to release a new cargo model, which is in no way inferior to foreign cars in both appearance and technical components.
Although, to be honest, the better the “domestic” car, the fewer Russian parts it contains, and you can’t argue with that. Overall, the car turned out to be pleasant, fresh and mysterious.
Why mysterious? Since they haven’t been able to fully test it yet. But the power unit began to consume significantly less fuel, and the power was not reduced. The gearbox began to work much better (of course, it has German roots), the braking system even acquired disc brakes on all wheels, as well as electronic auxiliary systems such as ABS.
Inside, it also became much more pleasant and easier for the driver to work. There is plenty of free space in the cabin. One thing is clear, the Gorky Automobile Plant is clearly on the right direction of development of the automotive industry. It’s also nice that the company updates and produces not only new passenger cars, but also those that are trucks. I would like to hope that she will not stop there.
We advise you to read the article: GAZ - the history of car production.
About a company with a great history
The company is Russia's largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles with dynamically developing logistics and technological processes. At the moment, the company's share in the production of commercial vehicles is half of the total share of vehicles of this type produced in the Russian Federation. In addition, more than 70% of all buses produced in Russia are produced by the GAZ concern.
The production of equipment under the brand of this plant has been established throughout the country ; moreover, GAZ has a representative office in eight regions of Russia, where enterprises producing vehicles have been opened. Various buses, heavy trucks, passenger cars, medium-duty vehicles, various power units and other components are produced and manufactured here.
Well-known manufacturer
The company uses in its production only advanced and innovative technologies that are used by large international automobile concerns. It is precisely this adoption of experience that allows us to produce the most modern models of vehicles that meet not only domestic but also foreign requirements.
One of these technological innovations, of course, was the GAZon Next dump truck, which is currently the flagship of the Gorky plant.
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LAWN Next photo
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