Few people know about the domestic development of the elite jeep GAZ 3106. In the automobile horizon, this star was lit under the brand name "Ataman 2". The novelty was presented at the Moscow Motor Show 13 years ago. GAZ 3106 was built on the basis of a shortened chassis of the Ataman line of cars manufactured in 1996. From them, the developers took the front suspension, brake system, front and rear axles, steering, as well as wheels. The car was equipped with all-wheel drive, for which a special transfer case was developed . Salon turned out quite roomy. It could comfortably accommodate 7 people. The hood involved the placement of domestic and imported engines from Toyota and Iveco.
SUV for 10,000 USD
The prototype was presented to the public with a modernized GAZ-561 five-cylinder diesel engine, whose power was 141 hp. Unfortunately, already in 2001, all work on the further production of the GAZ 3106 Ataman 2 SUV was quickly turned off for economic reasons. However, the successes of UAZ and Chevy Niva inspired the authors so much that in 2004 they put out a variant of the budget GAZ 3106 jeep. Presented under the previous index, it was a new car (which was supposed to be sold at a reasonable price of 10.000 USD) . This time the factory did not give a prototype a name and decided to abandon the Ataman 2 brand. The authors simply did not want to remind consumers about the past model.
Domestic off-road classic
The new GAZ 3106 looked like a classic SUV. He had a spar frame, a five-door body, dependent suspension, all-wheel drive, a very successful two-stage transfer case, and, of course, there was a center differential lock . The prototype was equipped with a power unit with a capacity of 147 forces with the marking ZMZ-405. To the car did not look empty, it was equipped with power steering, airbags and other equipment. At the end of 2006, this experimental car was supposed to go into series. GAZ 3106, whose photos were presented to a narrow public, looked very promising. It traced the continuity from other GAZ models, but there was also something of its own, unique.
In 2005, an interesting version of the GAZ 3106 VIP prototype appeared on Russian Cars . Four-seater leather interior, full power accessories, separate rear-row seats with electric adjustments - all this was available in the car, emphasizing its special status. The wooden trim of the original instrument panel, chrome, added elitism, and under the hood a powerful gasoline turbo engine with the possibility of intermediate cooling roared - ZMZ-4054 R4 16V 2.5 liter. He gave out 204 hp. and accelerated the car to 170 km / h. In general, it was a very good car, possessing all the necessary off-road qualities and a comfortable interior. The public was interested in acquiring an SUV. Manila reasonable price, interesting design and relatively good quality of the car. However, this time, the authors of the machine refused to launch it in a series for economic reasons. Apparently, it is easier for them to produce and sell Gazelles than to promote domestic SUVs to the masses. It's a pity. The prospects for the car were interesting.