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2023 Author: Charles Youmans | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-20 18:41
Today the GAZ company specializes in the production of commercial vehicles. But 10 years ago, passenger cars were also in the model range of the Gorky Automobile Plant. Therefore, it is not surprising that rumors regularly appear on the Internet that GAZ plans to revive the Volga or launch the production of other similar vehicles. Moreover, the company has the technical capabilities to start assembling such machines. At the very least, GAZ can acquire a license for the production of cars based on the MQB platform from its longtime partner Volkswagen, which uses the facilities of the Gorky Automobile Plant to assemble its own products.
So far, the company has been constantly refuting such rumors. Representatives of the car plant say that GAZ is not going to return to the production of passenger cars, let alone the development of completely new crossovers. However, despite this, independent designers regularly publish renders of models (for example, the GAZ-3110 Volga 2021 SUV) that the Gorky Automobile Plant can create. But one of them went further and introduced the new GAZ-53 2021-2022 crossover, which, even against the background of potential competitors, stands out for its non-standard design.
This model has a rather sharp outline. Its body is as if created from several separately taken components using a hammer rather than a press. Notably, but a similar character configuration for the BMW iX electric crossover, which debuted in early 2021. This similarity suggests that the independent designer showed the GAZ SUV not with standard motors, but with electric motors.
Such a model may well appear on the Russian market. The fact is that GAZ's partner, Volkswagen, has a modular MEB platform designed for electric cars of various sizes and types. In particular, crossovers ID.4 and ID.6 have already been created on its basis. The first one is produced with a 5-seater saloon, the second - with a 7-seater one. That is, the presented GAZ crossover, which is relatively large in size, can be created on the basis of the MEB platform.
In connection with the above, it is still difficult to make unambiguous assumptions about what technical characteristics this model may have. Moreover, if the crossover is really electric, then it will receive one of four available transmission options.
Design
The presented crossover GAZ-53 2021-2022 stands out for its voluminous body. At the same time, its lower part is much larger than the upper one, which is why the novelty looks quite "powerful". In general, a number of design solutions implemented in this car make it look more like a full-fledged SUV than a crossover. However, upon closer examination of the model, it becomes clear that it is not designed for continuous operation outside of a flat surface. In addition, the similarity with SUVs is somewhat "spoiled" by the front struts, which are heavily heaped back. This design feature is characteristic mainly of modern crossovers.
The presented novelty has received an elongated body with barely noticeable "waves" that give it volume. Its edge has a sloping configuration, due to which the front part of the body acquires a monolithic structure. The head optics of the novelty are presented in the form of compact and relatively narrow headlights, the inner part of which is divided into 2 segments with square LED lights. An independent designer has provided this crossover with a huge square-shaped grille. Its internal pattern is made up of curving thin lamellas installed at a certain distance from each other.
The front bumper, due to such a large radiator grill, seems to be divided into 3 parts. A thin air intake extends from below it, inside of which vertical slats are fixed like a fence. The side sections of the front bumper are made up of large cutouts for ventilation openings, covered with a fine mesh.
When looking at the novelty in profile, the characteristic bulge along the door handles attracts attention. This design solution visually reduces the size of the roof. Also, interesting details of the side of the body include square wheel arches, along which a thin plastic body kit extends, expanding at the bottom of the doors.
The feed of the presented model even more looks like it was made not by pressing sheet metal, but with the help of hammer blows. At the stern, pronounced bulges give way to deep depressions. This combination makes the rear end look more textured and memorable. The stern glazing of the GAZ-53 2021-2022 crossover is located at an insignificant angle, and on top of it the developer placed a barely noticeable rear wing with a brake light. The rear optics are presented in the form of narrow LED lights embedded in a large bulge. It protrudes so much that it protrudes above the aft bumper with original inserts, into which the developer has placed rectangular brake lights.
Specifications
As noted above, there are 2 possible ways of developing the presented GAZ crossover. If the car is equipped with an internal combustion engine, then it will be based on the MQB platform with McPherson front shock absorbers and a rear multi-link structure. The novelty in this case will receive a choice of turbocharged engines of 1, 4 and 2 liters. The first unit produces up to 150 hp. power, and the second, depending on the modification - up to 190 or 220 hp. Both motors are combined with a 7-speed "robot".
If the presented crossover GAZ-53 2021-2022 is built on the basis of the MEB platform, then it will receive one of several electric motors, the maximum power of which varies between 149 and 204 hp.
Time to market
The GAZ company does not plan to engage in the production of urban crossovers. In this regard, the likelihood of the appearance of the presented model is extremely small, as well as the GAZ-3110 "Volga" SUV in 2021. Moreover, the release of such a car is not profitable for Volkswagen, since this new product will compete with either ID.4 or Tiguan.