We have reported it several times UAZ company can deepen cooperation with TO BLOCK. Now the Chinese side is supplying its 5-speed manual transmission to the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant. Judging by how quickly UAZ introduced it into cars, the design of this box meets the requirements of models of the Russian brand. Also, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant did not change the prices of its products. That is, the new box was also quite cheap.
The deepening of cooperation between UAZ and BAIC can lead to the fact that the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant will have access to more technologies and design solutions. At least the company is now actively working on import substitution, paying attention to the offers of Chinese companies. Given this, it is easy to assume that in the near future UAZ will modernize its model range. Without major car conversions, sales at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant could suffer a sharp decline, as the Russian market soon recovers and becomes saturated with new cars, including those supplied as part of parallel imports.
Thanks to cooperation with BAIC, the Russian company can modernize the Loaf, its most popular model at the moment. Moreover, after the work done, this car will not increase in price, but, on the contrary, will become cheaper. BAIC has an extensive line of Weiwang minivans, any of which can serve as a prototype for the future UAZ Loaf 2023-2024. But the Russian novelty will not look like Chinese models. In particular, its appearance and interior will be designed in a completely different style. As shown by the renderings presented by the domestic designer, the new Loaf minivan will have a hood layout, which potentially increases comfort inside the passenger compartment.
At the same time, a review of the technical characteristics of the Russian model is planned. Using BAIC engines, UAZ can install a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine on the loaf, producing up to 106 hp. power and is combined with the mentioned 5-speed “mechanics”. Optionally, a turbocharged engine of the same volume with a return of 150 hp will be prepared for the Russian model. Both units have several advantages over the 2.7-liter engine currently installed on the loaf. First of all, they are cheaper. And the turbocharged engine is even more powerful than the Russian engine.
But the new “Loaf” will borrow several design solutions from its predecessor. So, the future minivan will be produced with branded all-wheel drive, which is also awaiting modernization. Together with him, for example, they should propose a new transfer case. Also, the new “Loaf” will have high ground clearance.
Actual loaf
But the future minivan will be as simple as its predecessor. The reason is that an increase in the number of options that can be offered with the new UAZ-452 2023-2024 will lead to its sharp increase in price. And given the fact that the high demand for a car is largely due to an affordable price, it will be unprofitable for UAZ to raise it. The second reason is the peculiarities of the prototype equipment, on the basis of which the Russian novelty will be made. The Chinese model of the Weiwang series also has a relatively simple design.
The timing of the release of the new “Loaf” on the Russian market has not yet been determined. But it will appear within 1-2 years. This is partly because manufacturing facilities are set up for molding such a body. In a very similar style, a prototype of the new minivan was developed, which UAZ demonstrated in 2014.
