The Gorky Automobile Plant has launched the production of extra-long “Gazelle Next”

From the very beginning, Gazelle Next had two wheelbase options – 3145 (L2) or 3745 mm (L3). But larger versions were made only by third-party modification companies, increasing the center distance by lengthening the supporting frame. And only now the Gorky Automobile Plant decided to create its own “stretch”: 10 euro pallets can fit in an ultra-capacious frameless van body.

The Gazelle Next range now includes a version whose wheelbase length is 4245 mm – this is a serial product of the plant, in which the frame has been lengthened by a total of 870 mm, since an additional 370 mm was brought by the extension of the rear overhang.

Such a large format forced us to come up with a special assembly technology: on a conveyor belt where flatbed light-duty vehicles are traditionally assembled, a car is made without a rear overhang extension.

After this, the car is transported to a separate section of the second conveyor line, where side member extensions, a rear underrun beam, lights and a spare wheel holder are already installed.

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That’s it, the finished chassis can be sold to customers! But a certain large customer (it is logical to assume that this is a well-known marketplace) asked to install a van made of sandwich panels with fiberglass cladding on top.

There was a request – a solution was found: Special Equipment Production (PST) produced a frameless manufactured goods body with a length of 5100 mm. This one can easily fit 23 cubic meters of cargo! Therefore, GAZ strengthened the rear suspension of the car.

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The authors of the project paid special attention to the interior decoration: the creators of the van provided floor hinges, side slats, protective linings, interior lighting and a retractable staircase.

Rubber bumpers are installed on the rear portal – this is an important modification: if the driver does not notice an obstacle when backing up, the truck will first rest against this buffer, and not the body.

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It is clear that with such dimensions a maximum “torque” engine is required, so GAZ installed a 2.5-liter 150-horsepower turbodiesel, which is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

A relatively new 2.5-liter unit replaces the familiar Cummins 2.8 ISF. The editors of Motor not only managed to find out exclusive details about this engine, but also tested such a car.