Generous in the anniversary of 2025 continues. The extravagant and exotic Volga model 3111 reached the conveyor of the gas a quarter ago – the solemn launch of its production took place on the eve of the new 2000. However, this sedan was not destined to become massive – his circulation barely exceeded four hundred copies. But the project turned out to be noticeable. In this archival material, we recall its history.
Promising cars for replacing the outdated “twenty -fourth” Volga and its derivatives on gas began to be developed during the time of perestroika – in 1986 the concept of the future model range of the Gorky Automobile Plant was adopted. The simplest and most affordable model was supposed to make a front-wheel drive Volga with the factory index of GAZ-3103, its all-wheel drive version of the GAZ-3104 and the flagship version with an elongated base-GAZ-3105 was also provided.
GAZ-3105
GAS
In reality, the design began precisely with the GAZ-3105-the Soviet Union still existed, and the project of the promising Volga was presented by the leadership of GAZ as a modern car for representatives of the nomenclature. Moreover, the GAZ-14 representative gull by the end of the eighties was in an orderly withdrawal from production-at the next round of the fight against privileges.
GAZ-3105
GAS
On the prototypes of the Volga GAZ-3105, sheep steering, an independent suspension, a permanent all-wheel drive with an interdosseous differential were introduced. The 3.4-liter V8 engine was hoped to introduce. Its carburetor version developed 156 hp, it was planned to bring the return on the injection modification to 170-190 hp. In equipment-electric windows and adjustments of seats, climate control, leather chairs.
The interior of the early GAZ-3105
GAS
However, we remember that the process of designing a new car and preparing it for a serial production is not only a responsible thing, but a long enough. The new car was ready for production in 1992 – already in a completely different country.
Such a Volga 3105 has become on the way to the series: another design of the front, more traditional glazing
GAS
In the new conditions, a richly equipped and at the same time an expensive domestic car could not compete with the masses that appeared in mass number. Nevertheless, the GAZ-3105 project was finally closed only in 1996-by this time it was possible to assemble a little more than fifty cars.
3103
GAS 
3104
GAS
The Volga 3103 and 3104 planned for production back in the 1980s nevertheless designed and built, but at the 1998 Moscow Motor Show was shown only in the status of exhibition samples without much hope for serial embodiment. But the GAZ-3111 Volga presented at the same time with a design, clearly echoing with the legendary “twenty-first”, nevertheless finally reached the car dealerships.
Volga GAZ-3111
GAS
And then, in 1998, the public introduced only a showcan with plastic body panels-according to the sketches of Russian designers, an exhibition sample on the frame of the serial Volga-3110 was made in the United States. A new Volga was created on the old rear -wheel drive platform under the guidance of the chief designer of gas cars Sergei Batyanov and chief designer Igor Bezrodny.
Experiments with a retro style at the turn of the millennia were practiced not only by gas experts, but also by the world giants-it is enough to recall, for example, Plymouth Prowler, Volkswagen New Beetle or Jaguar S-Type. And then, having looked a few years in advance, a very successful new mini and forever alive fiat 500 …
GAS
So the chrome “bird” on the lid of the trunk and the rims around the rear lamps, inherited by the Volga GAZ-3111 from the M-21 of early issues, will not be able to call something out of the ordinary. Although, we must admit that in general the image of the machine came out very eclectic – but at the same time unmistakably recognizable, this cannot be taken away.
The appearance “under the old man” was combined with competent engineering study. The prototypes were blown in an aerodynamic pipe and developed taking into account the currently modern requirements for passive safety-including with the sight to successfully pass the crash test according to the EURONCAP methodology. For example, the doors were strengthened by longitudinal bars, and the brake system was equipped with an ABS production of Bosch. It seems that for the first time in the Russian automobile industry …
GAS
Nevertheless, in the design of the New Volga, advanced technical solutions, “rolled up” on previous failed projects, coexisted with details from the middle of the 20th century. For example, the car received a rheck steering and a modern front suspension on transverse levers. With ball hinges, instead of the usual wolf worships, requiring frequent maintenance. At the same time, the unreasonable rear bridge with the springs remained in its rightful place-except, in comparison with the Volga-3110, the “eleventh” was expanded by the track and shock absorbers were installed vertically, and not under the slope. In addition, a reptile stability stabilizer appeared from behind.
GAS
Structurally, the new Volga was designed for V-shaped motors, however, the “GAZ-3111 in the database” installed in a line 2.5-liter gasoline engine of the ZMZ-405 family with a capacity of 155 hp. Paired with a 5-speed “mechanics”. The gearbox was also refined – mainly related to a different layout of the machine. On the individual order, the “eleventh” could be legally equipped with a Toyota engine with a 4-band automaton-the “court” companies cooperating with gas were engaged in such refinements. True, then the price of a domestic small -scale car became frightening …
GAS
Yes, and with the domestic power unit Volga-3111 at the beginning of the “zero” cost very expensive-about three times more “ordinary” Volga GAZ-3110. Which, in the end, lasted on the conveyor until 2009, when, in the wake of the economic crisis, the Gorky Automobile Plant refused to produce cars of its own development.
The release of the “eleventh” ended even earlier, in 2002. And a collectible rarity, this machine has become, as they say, “during life.” /m
The most luxurious Volga is the smallest Volga, about which everyone forgot 75 years in winter, a symbol of luxury from the USSR
