KamAZ is already playing in a new heavy class, but for a long time it was not possible to gain a foothold in the light category. Now, one of his petrified projects - the light series truck - seems to be coming to life. To get to know the KAMAZ-4307 and KAMAZ-43085 models more closely, we arrived at the scientific and technical center of the plant.
CULTURE OF WEIGHT
The Kama Batyr - as the automobile plant was called 30 years ago - began with the production of eight-ton trucks, and over the years, the carrying capacity only grew. The first lightweight vehicle was the KamAZ-5355. In 1997, it was developed jointly with the Chelny company RIAT, and made a seven-ton one by removing one drive axle. Belonging to the caste of delivery trucks was symbolized by wheels of smaller diameter.
The engine remained the same, V8 rated at 210 hp. and weighing three quarters of a ton, although they kept an eye on the Cummins inline six. “American” was almost twice as light and at the same time developed 185 hp, but there was no question of mass production - the plant soon found itself on the verge of bankruptcy. Over time, KamAZ got out of the crisis and the designers continued to work on the light series. But even with American engines, the car remained too heavy - out of 11 tons of KamAZ-4315 gross weight, only 5 tons were useful, and the eight-ton KamAZ-4307 van carried only 3.2 tons.
WEIGHT DEPOSIT
It was not worth talking about single exhibition samples, if not for the latest events in the history of KamAZ. Two joint ventures were formed with long-standing partners of Chelny residents - ZF and Cummins. Collaboration with Cummins will make it possible to quickly launch four- and six-ton trucks in a series. While the assembly of the KAMAZ-4308 are the Brazilian and Chinese "cummins", with a KAMAZ five-speed gearbox. It is almost twice as heavy as necessary, but it will take forever to “light work”. Small KP “Tsanrad Fabrik” in the series will not appear soon. First of all, they will arrange the production of a 16-speed under a torque of 1, 500 N.m, for KAMAZ 360-400-horsepower diesel engines of the 50th series. The alliance with ZF will accelerate the development of hypoid bridges for smaller brothers, but for now they have adapted a heavy beam from the massive 5320 with a two-stage gearbox, but with Haldex disc brakes.
OLD FRIEND
Designers who updated the facade of the cabin, probably worked easier than their foreign colleagues. Those go out of their way to preserve the family traits of the brand, to be able to bring something new into the face, and at the same time eliminate similarities with competitors. Our succeeded.
For 30 years of production, the cabin has become twice legendary. We have - because a generation of drivers has grown up, who have the right to say: “I drove into the same grandfather …” In the West - thanks to the halo of “Dakar” victories. And no matter how it loses to its foreign counterparts, it is quite suitable for a dump truck and delivery trucks. The interior would be a little tighten.
Both cars once prepared for exhibitions. The van was shown in 2004 in Hanover, a car transporter decorated the KamAZ stand at MIMS-2005. Therefore, they shine in the sun with metallic and are slightly different from serial units. Thanks to the smaller diameter wheels and a slightly modified cab suspension, the floor is lower. One step, but long and comfortable. A little chubby bagel creates the illusion of space. On the doors are new upholstery, fiberglass dashboard - all this is already on the conveyor. Seats are imported, with convenient adjustments. The cabin of the van is three-seater, on a car transporter - two-seater, but with a sleeping bag and a higher roof.
