Many people don’t know, but the topic of installing gas engines for MAZ is not new. Back in 1985, an experimental MAZ-55512 was created, which could run on gas and diesel. And today you won’t surprise anyone with gas buses from this manufacturer, as well as trucks. At the same time, the plant installs both Russian and foreign engines on them. Several years ago, he began cooperation with the largest gas engine manufacturer from China, the Weichai company. By the way, the production of engines of this brand is now actively developing in Belarus.
It is precisely this power unit that will be equipped with the new MAZ - 643228 “Prostor”, which at the beginning of September made an indelible impression at the Comtrans-2019 exhibition.
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Important! This truck tractor received not only a new gas engine from the famous Chinese brand, but also many other innovations.
Design
With a fairly familiar appearance to most connoisseurs of this brand, the tractor has acquired many useful and interesting innovations in interior design.
The new MAZ with a gas engine is in many ways reminiscent of most modern trucks of this brand, the creation of which uses modern trends and high-quality materials. But at the same time, the manufacturer strives to preserve the unique features of this brand. Therefore, this tractor is a successful combination of traditions and useful current innovations.
Exterior
Externally, this truck is almost identical to the brand's current products. It is equipped with an improved modern cabin. It provides the driver with excellent visibility from all sides. This is also facilitated by fairly large side mirrors. The car is equipped with large, modern headlights that provide excellent quality lighting. Thanks to the fairly wide steps on the sides of the tractor, access to its cabin has become as convenient as possible.
Cars of this model, like many other representatives of the modern MAZ family, will be painted in bright orange-red colors, which makes them not only very noticeable on the road, but also gives them a rather stylish and attractive look.
The chassis is designed in such a way that units and equipment for various purposes can be installed on it. Therefore, dump trucks, truck cranes and other construction and special equipment can be created on its basis. The equipment of such machines can be carried out both in the factory and after the purchase of the tractor by the buyer himself.
The manufacturer promises that the updated truck will be more resistant to corrosion than previous cars of this brand. The metal and paint really look quite high quality. But what the situation with rust will be like in reality can only be checked during operation.
Interior
Inside, the new Belarusian tractor has become more modern, comfortable and safe. The cabin is equipped with air-suspended seats, which makes their adjustment as quick and convenient as possible. It also received improved seat belts, which is extremely important in the current operating conditions. At the same time, the seats cannot be called too comfortable. Comfort in them, as in the entire cabin, is minimal. In addition, the cabin is quite cramped.
The dashboard is distinguished by a variety of levers and buttons, the number of which may vary depending on the installed additional equipment, since they control all vehicle functions. Despite the fact that these keys are located quite compactly, operating the tractor is quite convenient. Finding the right option will not take much time and will not cause any problems for the driver.
Quite cheap and simple materials are used to decorate the cabin. The plastic is quite hard, and it is too early to judge its quality. The seat upholstery is made of cheap fabric in soft colors. But at the same time, inside the tractor is quite cozy and comfortable.
This MAZ features improved sound insulation. Of course, its installation did not help to completely rid the driver of extraneous street noise in the cabin. But the use of better soundproofing materials has made it possible to make extraneous sounds quieter and less pronounced, which allows you to work in more comfortable conditions. Of course, we should not forget that a tractor is a cargo and special vehicle; it is not created for music lovers and recreation, but for work. Therefore, the current noise protection indicators seem quite acceptable here.
Specifications
Important! The greatest innovations of the MAZ-643228 are noticeable precisely in technical terms. The main novelty here is an environmentally friendly and economical methane engine from the Chinese.
At the same time, all other characteristics of the truck remained practically at the same level. The vehicle has many modern systems and functions that provide it with very good driving performance and excellent performance even in relatively difficult conditions.
Engine
The main feature of the vehicle was its new gas engine.
It has the following main indicators:
- Ecological class – Euro-5;
- Power – 423 horsepower.
It is worth noting that, despite the fact that the power capabilities of this power unit seem impressive, the power of such a tractor will naturally be somewhat less than that of a conventional diesel engine. But this disadvantage is perfectly compensated by high efficiency and excellent environmental performance. In addition, such a motor is highly reliable and has a long service life.
On such cars, the manufacturer is going to install ZF transmissions or Chinese-made units, which these days can also be very reliable and durable.
Suspension and road behavior
When preparing this tractor, the manufacturer slightly improved its suspension. Now parts are made from higher quality materials, which guarantees them a relatively long service life. Moreover, all elements are relatively affordable and can be easily replaced if necessary. In addition, the suspension settings have been slightly changed for the better. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that the rear suspension in this truck is multi-leaf spring-balancer. It has a stabilizer bar. This device provides high reliability and excellent driving performance.
The truck from Belarus is distinguished by its very confident behavior on any road. It is capable of overcoming quite significant off-road conditions and is easy to drive in difficult road conditions. The car is quite maneuverable and accelerates well, but at the same time it is somewhat inferior in power to its diesel counterparts. But in this case this is not a disadvantage.
Sufficiently large windows on all sides of the cabin and its relatively high position provide the driver with excellent visibility, both while driving and when performing various tasks.
The assembly of another car has begun in Belarus. Based on the “Chinese”, but under a new brand
The MAZ minibus and van based on the Chinese JAC Sunray in Belarus are no longer a new product. The launch of their production was first reported more than a year ago. However, there is still very little official information about the cars. Now it turns out that they even have another modification. Moreover, it will enter the market under a new brand.
The minibus with the name “MAZ Brestmash 343001” was declassified by the Chairman of the Brest City Executive Committee Alexander Rogachuk. In his Telegram channel, he published photos that he took in the workshops of a local automobile plant.
In the photo from Alexander Rogachuk’s Telegram: the process of assembling a MAZ minibus at Brestmash.
The footage shows several half-assembled cars on platforms acting as a conveyor. Two workers are doing something under a minibus placed on a lift. In addition, the official photographed the VIN number of one of the cars and a table showing the comparative characteristics of the new product and its potential competitors. Finally, there is a short video of a test drive near the factory walls.
— Today I tested the first Brest car at Brestmash. The impressions are the most positive! Smooth ride, informative steering wheel and modern design. This is what a car from the Brest auto industry with Chinese filling looks like today,” wrote Alexander Rogachuk
Judging by the comparison table, we are talking about the MAZ Brestmash 343001 model. It also follows that this is a cargo-passenger minibus. It has 9 seats in the cabin (3+3+3) and a cargo compartment behind the partition. The car is equipped with a 2.7 diesel engine with a power of 150 hp. It is paired with a manual transmission.
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In the screenshot from the video: minibus “MAZ Brestmash 343001”.
In fact, we are talking about a car converted from a new MAZ product. Which, in turn, is built on the basis of the Chinese JAC Sunray.
— The car is a product of Brestmash based on the MAZ model. We assemble the basic model, then we rework it, make various modifications and assign [them] our VIN code,” plant director Vasily Kokhovich said on the Belarus 1 channel.
Judging by the video, the prototype was a MAZ-365022 van with embedded windows and installed seats. But, probably, the MAZ-281040 minibus would be suitable for this purpose. It would require dividing the interior into passenger and cargo compartments. Both models have been produced here at Brestmash for a long time. It is unclear how successful the project is. However, television crews reported, “the first batches have been sold to Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.”
In the photo from Alexander Rogachuk’s Telegram: a comparative table of the new Brestmash product and its competitors.
By the way, in May 2019, a van cost 56,484 rubles in Belarus, a minibus - 62,196 rubles. That is, 1.7-1.87 million Russian rubles. Now the cargo version is estimated at 70,284 Belarusian rubles - 2.1 million Russian. This figure is indicated in the list of MAZ equipment for sale from the company’s warehouse. The cost of the Brest modification is unknown.
- How much do Chinese cars cost in Russia right now?
Let us remind you that JAC Sunray is already being released in Kazakhstan. Recently, cars received OTTS, which allows them to enter the markets of the Customs Union. The representative office of the Chinese company reported that they have prepared a model for Kazakhstan for now. The issue of sales of minibuses and vans in the Russian Federation is being studied.
- The latest JAC X7 crossover and A5 liftback were brought to Russia. First photos
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Options and prices
In the case of a truck tractor, it is not very correct to talk about its configurations. But at the same time, they plan to produce a car with a gas engine with various types of transmissions. In addition, various units or equipment can be installed on the chassis at the factory. MAZ intends to produce such equipped trucks, both serially and to order.
Depending on the type of transmission and the availability of all kinds of equipment, the cost of the tractor can also vary. It is known that the car will be produced not only for the domestic market of Belarus, but will also be supplied to Russia and some other countries. The cost of the car will be 5-6 million rubles.
Reviews: what to choose
As for reviews, Shakhman has proven himself well in Russia and has an impressive base of fans and admirers. But due to the fact that its value is constantly increasing against the background of the rising dollar, fans of Shanxi have to look for some alternatives.
It is precisely as such an alternative that one can and should consider MAZ, which is not inferior, and even superior, to Shakhman in technical characteristics, and has a clear advantage in price.
And despite the distrust on the part of “Chinese” fans, MAZ is beginning to prove that it is more than worth its money.
