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2023 Author: Charles Youmans | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-20 18:41
Since its inception, the Minsk Automobile Plant has been specializing in the production of large-sized vehicles. MAZ's main source of income is tractors and dump trucks, which are mainly supplied to the Belarusian and Russian markets. However, in the future, the company may repurpose its activities.
Chinese manufacturers show that it is possible to create completely different cars under the same brand. So, Geely specializes in the production of passenger cars, including premium class, and tractors. Dongfeng and many other companies do the same. This approach allows manufacturers to constantly make a profit, regardless of the prevailing situation on the world market. And MAZ has been experiencing quite serious financial difficulties in recent years. Therefore, the Belarusian company should pay attention to the passenger car segment. Moreover, an independent designer showed how the first such MAZ model might look like.
The renders published by him reveal a rather interesting crossover MAZ-5516 2021-2022, which can become one of the bestsellers, at least on the Russian market. The fact is that the car is compact. In addition, during its creation, with a high degree of probability, the JAC platform and power units will be involved. This is supported by the fact that the Chinese company has been fruitfully cooperating with MAZ for several years, setting up production of its own minibuses at the Minsk Automobile Plant. And, for example, the JAC S3 crossover, which is comparable in size to the SUV shown in the renders, costs less than a million rubles in Russia. That is, the new product from MAZ will cost about the same.
The Belarusian crossover is a cross between Lada XRay and Hyundai Creta. This means that the car, if it goes to market, will make its debut in a segment in which it will have no competitors. This circumstance, combined with an affordable price, should make the novelty one of the bestsellers.
Design
The new MAZ-5516 2021-2022 crossover stands out from potential competitors with its compact size. At the same time, thanks to the small front and rear overhangs, as well as a sufficiently high roofline, there will be enough free space inside the car. But the luggage compartment of the novelty will be compact. Two circumstances speak in favor of this: the second-row seats are too far away and the rear door tilted forward.
The first crossover from MAZ is designed in youth style. This effect is emphasized by the heavily heaped A-pillars and the sloping roof, giving the car a smoother and somewhat sporty outline. Interestingly, some details of the appearance of the Belarusian novelty make it look like the BMW X1. This is a voluminous hood with rounded edges and a two-piece radiator grille. But the latter in the Belarusian novelty is divided into 2 sectors due to a thick metal plate on which the MAZ brand badge is placed. The internal structure of the grille is made up of an original mesh.
Despite its compact size, the presented crossover received a large head optics. Inside it, judging by the published renders, there are large LED lights, which are framed from above and below by LED strips of DRL and direction indicators. An additional headlight unit is located under the head optics. Perhaps it plays the role of "fog lights".
The front bumper of the Belarusian crossover is sporty. On its sides, at a considerable distance from the center, there are recesses designed for compact ventilation openings. Also, the front bumper is complemented by an elongated air intake, closed with characteristic teeth. They give the front part of the body of the Belarusian novelty an aggressive look.
The presented crossover also stands out with voluminous wheel arches that make the car "muscular". Along the side doors of the novelty, there are noticeable stamping stripes that emphasize the sporty direction of the design. The exterior mirrors with rounded edges reinforce this effect.
The feed of the MAZ-5516 2021-2022 crossover is also distinguished by its volumetric forms. A compact wing of a stepped structure is located on it. There is a comparatively small glass underneath. The taillights, like the head optics, turned out to be quite large. Another interesting solution implemented on the body of the new MAZ crossover is the lower block of lights built into the sides of the aft bumper. These brake lights are practically the same size as the rear lights. In addition, among the remarkable details is the contrasting insert, which is located in the center of the tailgate. Thanks to her, the Belarusian crossover in the back is a bit like Renault Duster.
Specifications
As noted earlier, the presented crossover, if launched into production, will be built on the basis of a platform that will be borrowed from JAC. In this case, the vehicle will be based on McPherson A-pillars and a rear torsion beam.
Technical characteristics of the MAZ-5516 2021-2022 crossover raise questions. It is more likely to get a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine that develops no more than 109 hp. power and is combined with a stepless variator. Also, the option with another "atmospheric" engine with a volume of 1.5 liters, which produces up to 111 hp, is not excluded. The introduction of both power units into the Belarusian novelty will keep prices for it at an acceptable level.
But another possibility cannot be ruled out: the crossover can get an engine from JAC S7. In this case, a 1.5-liter supercharged unit with a maximum output of 150 hp will be placed under its hood.
Sales start
Officially, MAZ has not yet made any statements about the possible appearance of a compact crossover in the lineup. In this regard, the model presented in the renders will probably never enter the Russian market.