The name of Hyundai's bestseller on the Russian market - the Porter model - in English means “loader”, “porter”. The name of the successor to this small-tonnage truck is also telling: the HD 35City can be called a “city dweller.” It is indeed better suited for use in megacities than its predecessor.
Korean light-tonnage trucks, almost ideal for commercial cargo transportation within the city, became in great demand in Russia in the late 1990s. In those difficult times, small and medium-sized businesses were looking for a practical alternative to the Nizhny Novgorod GAZelle, finding it in the third generation Hyundai Porter. The light truck had a payload capacity of 980 to 1080 kg and combined the comfort and handling of a passenger car with the consumer characteristics of a compact truck. Successful characteristics - a durable frame, short wheelbase, minimal width (1690 mm), a three-seater cabin located above a small high-torque turbodiesel, and a wide list of body modifications - made Porter one of the bestsellers on the Russian market. The new Hyundai HD 35City, which debuted at the COMTRANS-2017 exhibition, is produced in Kaliningrad and is positioned by the Korean automaker as the rightful heir to the Porter family, which in many ways surpasses its popular predecessor.
Exterior and interior design
Externally, the HD 35 resembles the reduced-size HD65/HD78 model. Its design is simple, decorative elements are kept to a minimum. The truck's cab is low to the ground, has a conveniently located step and wide-opening doors. These three factors ensure easy entry into the cabin. The increased glass area provides good visibility in urban environments. The headlights are two-tiered, slanted, side lights are mounted on the roof, the bumper is rounded, turning into a running board.
The cabin has three seats. Its interior is simple, done in gray tones, but high-quality materials are used in the decoration. The upholstery is made of artificial leather. Only the rear metal wall of the cabin remains unsheathed. Compared to other models, the HD 35's cabin is narrower and slightly shorter, which is why tall people may initially experience discomfort in the driver's seat.
In November 2022, another model in this range, Hyundai HD35 City, was launched. This car has a more remarkable design compared to its predecessor. Changes include a mahogany-colored trim on the front of the instrument panel, a lacquered gear lever knob and soft-touch seat upholstery with a modern look. This harmonious interior is contrasted by the screw caps on the dashboard, which are not decorated with plugs.
Appealing to logic
The HD-65, HD-72, HD-78 family is well known to our operators and enjoys well-deserved popularity, but PLATO and other barriers in the form of universally imposed restrictions on the movement of freight transport dictate the use of a low-tonnage fleet and the transition to regional-local or city routes with small volumes transportation And this is where a lorry with such an easy-going disposition comes in handy on the farm.
The appearance on the market of another truck with a gross weight of 3.5 tons and a payload capacity of up to one or even a little more than one and a half tons will only intensify the serious intensity of competitive passions in this LCV segment. This will only benefit the consumer: but the truck population restrains the appetites of sellers.
Since 2015, Hyundai HD-35 sold in the Russian Federation has been assembled by Hyundai Trans Auto LLP in Kazakhstan. Now the South Korean truck has a Russian registration: it is assembled by a Kaliningrad truck.
The Russian-assembled semi-truck is not available for sale as a chassis. They are available to the end consumer only in the form of finished cars.
On the cast iron crankcase of the Hyundai HD-35 gearbox there is an inconspicuous hatch for installing a PTO for driving superstructure hydraulic pumps. This means that you can also plug in a hydraulic manipulator for a tow truck here and mount a dump body or container truck, fortunately the strong frame allows it. For the installation of a longer superstructure, designers allow an increase in the base by inserting into the side members and lengthening the rear overhang.
Specifications
Wheelbase: standard - 2850 mm; extended - 3415 mm, wheel formula 4X2. The truck is built on the basis of spar type frame structures.
The dimensions of the cargo part range from 4400 to 4700 mm in length and from 2000 to 2200 mm in width. The maximum overall dimensions of the vehicle do not exceed 6380 mm in length, 2200 mm in width and 2150 mm in height. The ground clearance is standard - 160 mm.
HD35 size specifications may vary between versions.
The total weight of the vehicle is 3.5 tons, the maximum cargo weight is 1560 kg with a standard wheelbase; when extended, the load capacity is reduced to 1460 kg. A large load falls on the rear axle.
The four-cylinder engine with a volume of 2.5 liters is manufactured in accordance with the EURO-5 standard. It is equipped with a timing chain drive and a Common Rail fuel system. Maximum engine power - 136 hp. With.
The front suspension is leaf spring, equipped with anti-roll bars. Reinforced disc brakes are installed on each wheel, and the steering wheel is equipped with a hydraulic booster, which ensures high ease of control.
Isothermal vans are used based on the Hyundai HD 35.
Chain links
The engine of a new semi-truck for the Russian market is a balm for the soul of operators and mechanics. This is our hardworking and friendly old acquaintance with a warm personality. The four-cylinder in-line 2.5-liter diesel model D4CD (with turbocharging and intercooler, of course!) traces its history back... to the Mitsubishi 4D56 unit. In Japan it was installed on Mitsubishi L300, L200, Delica and Spase Gear. Apart from the Hyundai HD-35, this unpretentious diesel can be seen under the hoods of the Hyundai Starex, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Porter 2 and the recently tested Kia Bongo, among others. In this noble family, the number of modifications, iterations, variations, eco-classes and power settings is growing by leaps and bounds.
The subject of my test is equipped with a supercharged version with a power of 136 “fillies” and a torque of 294 N∙m in the range from 1500 to 3000 crankshaft revolutions. Special thanks to the creators of the engine for two balancer shafts, which level out the vibrations of the inline four and thus extend the service life. The cylinder head is 16-valve with two camshafts, the valves are equipped with hydraulic thermal clearance compensators. The timing drive is chain.
In general, there are quite a few chain drives in this engine: in addition to the timing chain, the oil pump and the right balancer shaft are also driven by a chain, plus another chain drives the injection pump and the left balancer shaft; all chain drives are equipped with simple spring mechanical tensioners.
To control the oil, you will have to raise the cabin, which, in general, is not at all difficult. The level of antifreeze in the expansion tank, located on the right behind the cab, does not at all indicate a sufficient amount of coolant in the radiator, so since we have raised the cab, let’s look into the radiator
The abundance of chain drives does not cause any particular trouble in operation; problems begin only with high mileage. However, it is clear that for a diesel engine a chain drive is more reliable than a toothed belt in a timing drive.
The cylinder block of the D4CD engine is cast iron, with dry liners - not the most common solution for this displacement. On the 2016 HD-35, the engine is in the fifth environmental class, has a Common Rail fuel rail, an EGR exhaust gas recirculation system with a liquid heat exchanger and a regenerable particulate filter.
HD 65
- load capacity : up to 3 t
- engine type : diesel, turbocharged (intercooler), model D4GA
- engine capacity : 3933 cm3
- power : EURO 4 / EURO 5 - 140/2700 and 170/2500 respectively
- wheel formula : 4x2
The HD 65 has a load capacity of 3 tons, which is undoubtedly a good example for use in urban environments. This vehicle is ideal for delivering goods and cargo around the city. There is a flexible platform that allows you to install several types of bodies - a tow truck, a van, a board or a crane.
The engines of this model are optimized for various markets and are capable of operating on fuel of any quality. For this reason, the HD 65 model has become widespread in Russia, since it normally tolerates domestic diesel. Despite such impressive characteristics, the model is considered a small truck and has high maneuverability, which the Korean manufacturer is so proud of.
The cabin is equipped with air conditioning and a power outlet. For the driver, increased comfort conditions are provided here, namely a hydraulic steering wheel and ABS.
I drove this model after the domestic ones. Despite its rather small dimensions, this model is capable of lifting loads weighing up to 3 tons. I was pleasantly surprised, although I must admit that the engine is a little underpowered when fully loaded. The engine starts to roar, the thrust drops, but overall it completely copes with its task.
Artem
Great truck, probably the best one I've ever driven. Firstly, it is powerful, although I would not recommend overloading it, because with loads of 2.5 tons or more the motor begins to strain. Overall, the model is good, strong and reliable, but I didn’t notice much comfort in the cabin. When compared with domestic producers, the difference is simply colossal.
Andrey
I've only been using this model for two weeks and would like to highlight its high maneuverability. I don’t know how it is with loads of two and a half tons, but the truck transports 2 tons without any problems. The consumption of the diesel engine is especially pleasing. So far this is one of the best trucks I have ever driven.
Victor
