The Volga is without a doubt the most respectable long-liver of our automobile industry, but by the beginning of the new century its design is so outdated that it frightens even the most persistent rarity fans. It was not possible to change the model for the plant. I had to do the modernization.
STEP MECHANISM
The first truly revolutionary step was the long-awaited reconstruction of the front axle. Together with the new pivotless suspension, the car has finally gained proper handling and stability. At the same time, an upgraded gearbox and a rear anti-roll bar appeared. But the appearance remained the same.
In February of this year, GAZ put on the conveyor the next version - 31105 with a more modern front design, new wheels and door locks of the Czech company "Brano" - the supplier of Skoda.
The works were not in vain - the market reacted with a surge in sales. But, in order to finally modernize the car, it was necessary to solve another major problem - to remake the rear. As in the distant past, the car continued to be equipped with rigid creaky springs and a large restless spare wheel that ate a good third of the trunk.
LIPOXATION
The latest modification of the Volga - GAZ 3110 7 - was shown at the Moscow Motor Show. Obviously, many will like the new feed with stylish lighting and updated plumage. But the next delights of designers is not an end in itself, but only a reflection of much more serious internal changes.
The first thing the designers decided to part with the springs. In addition to their own shortcomings of these elastic elements, such a suspension involves the presence of powerful spars in the tail of the body. Their length is comparable with the length of the root sheet, because one element is attached to another. This bulky design determines the layout of the rear of the machine.
On the new version, the rear suspension is spring. Four thrusts here perceive longitudinal forces, two of which are simultaneously part of the stabilizer, and transverse ones - Panhard thrust. They managed to place shock absorbers almost vertically, which sharply increased their efficiency. In addition to the direct benefits - a significant improvement in comfort and handling, the designers have derived a side. Under the modified boot floor there was a place not only for a muffler and a 60-liter gas tank, but also (hooray!) A spare wheel. Now the beauty is in the trunk: a spare wheel in a niche, the entire volume - under the suitcases. There is also access to the salon - in the back of the rear seat behind the armrest they made an opening for transporting long lengths, such as skis.
The new bottom caused a change in adjacent body panels - the rear overhang was shortened by 30 mm. In order not to lose the volume of the trunk, its height in the area of the rear window edge was increased by 50 mm, tilting the glass itself to “extra” six degrees. They received additional savings by replacing the cover torsion bars with gas stops and shifting the neck to the rear wheel arch.
It is believed that this stage of reconstruction will be completed by the introduction of ABS, an air conditioner, a modified instrument panel and heater modernization.
PRESENT COURSE
Having tried GAZ 3110 7 in business, you can see: the car has changed more than it seems from the outside. On the road, he no longer swims like the old “barge” - the longitudinal buildup has decreased, the rear axle rearrangement has disappeared, the creaks and groans characteristic of the spring suspension have disappeared on the “washboard”. And all this did not require any (from the position of the car owner) victims - the capacity and carrying capacity were not affected!