Why did GAZ 3106 "Ataman" disappoint?

Few people know about the domestic development of the luxury SUV GAZ 3106. In the car's sky, this star was lit under the name "Ataman 2". The novelty was presented at the Moscow Motor Show 13 years ago. The GAZ 3106 was built on the basis of the shortened chassis of the Ataman line of 1996 vehicles . From them, the developers took the front suspension, braking system, front and rear axle, steering, and wheels. The car was equipped with a full drive, for which a special transfer case was developed . The salon turned out to be quite roomy. It could comfortably accommodate 7 people. The hood assumed the placement of domestic and imported engines from Toyota and Iveco.

Off-road car for 10 000 USD

The prototype was presented to the public with the modernized five-cylinder diesel engine GAZ-561, the power of which was 141 hp. Unfortunately, already in 2001 all the work on the further production of SUV GAZ 3106 "Ataman 2" for economic reasons quickly turned off. However, the successes of UAZ and Shevi-Niva inspired the authors so much that in 2004 they exhibited a variant of the budget GAZ 3106 jeep. Presented under the former index, it was a new car (which was supposed to be sold in a batch production at an acceptable price of 10.000 USD) . This time the plant did not give the prototype a name and decided to abandon the brand "Ataman 2". The authors simply did not want to remind consumers about the previous model.

Domestic off-road classic

The new GAZ 3106 looked like a classic SUV. He had a spar frame, a body with five doors, suspension dependent, four-wheel drive, quite a good two-speed transfer box and, of course, there was a blockage of the interaxle differential. The prototype was equipped with a power unit with a capacity of 147 forces with the marking ZMZ-405. To the machine does not look empty, it was equipped with hydraulic booster, airbags and other equipment. At the end of 2006, this experimental car was due to go into series. GAZ 3106, a photo of which was presented to the public, looked very promising. It traced the continuity from other models of GAZ, but there was something of its own, unique.

In 2005, the "Russian cars" presented an interesting version of the prototype GAZ 3106 VIP. A four-seater leather saloon, a full electropackage, separate rear seats with electric adjustments - all this was in the car, underscored its special status. Elite added wood trim of the original instrument panel, chrome, and under the hood roared a powerful gasoline turbo with the possibility of intermediate cooling - ZMZ-4054 R4 16V 2.5 liters. He gave out 204 hp. And accelerated the car to 170 km / h. In general, it was a very good car, which has all the necessary off-road qualities and comfortable interior. The public was interested in buying an SUV. Manila is an acceptable price, interesting design and relatively good quality of the car. However, this time the authors of the car refused to launch it in series because of economic considerations. Apparently, it is easier for them to produce and sell GAZels, than to promote domestic SUVs to the masses. It's a pity. The outlook for the car was interesting.