GAZ "Ermak" - an unsuccessful attempt to give the village a truck

Cars of the Gorky Automobile Plant still delight Russian drivers. But there is no manufacturer of a compact truck in the modern range, created specifically for the countryside. The NEXT lawn is a good car, but for small farmers it is too big and uneconomical.


In the countryside, they prefer to operate light Gazelles. These cars are good for everyone, except for uneconomical gasoline engines and low cross-country ability. Of course, compared to foreign minibuses, the Russian truck is insensitive to dirt. Thank you for this must be said to the high ground clearance and twin tires on the rear axle. But still, it’s not difficult to get stuck on the Gazelle - it’s more of an urban model.


But the Gorky Automobile Plant had a promising and modern project that could provide the village with unitary trucks with high cross-country ability. This is a GAZ Yermak model shown in 2011. That's what we're going to tell you about today.

History

Medium-duty trucks of the Gorky Automobile Plant were developed as universal ones. There was no division into urban and rural options in the Soviet Union. Why make multiple models when a standard GAS can handle the job almost anywhere?


In addition to high ground clearance, the popularity of GAZ trucks was provided by:

✅ Tires with a universal tread, more off-road than road
✅ Simplicity of design
✅ Reliability
✅ Ability to repair the car literally in the field
✅ The ability to "digest" gasoline of any quality
✅ Strong frame

However, cars had one serious minus, which became relevant already in the late 80s. This is low economy. Gasoline engines of all modifications of the "Lawns" have never been distinguished by a modest "appetite".


Therefore, in the 90s, these cars began to be abandoned. First, the city, then the village, which, in principle, did not have the finances to buy new equipment. The situation could have been saved by the farmers, but then the Gazelle arrived just in time. This truck had several advantages:

✅ Light category
✅ Compactness
✅ Less fuel consumption

Although they still loved to “eat” gasoline engines. Therefore, savings were achieved only due to the smaller volume of motors.


They decided to make a curtsy in favor of the "city" - "Valdai" appeared. It was in 2004. The car was also suitable for the village because of the sufficiently high ground clearance. But there were problems with cross-country ability, like the Gazelle.


By 2011, the Gorky plant was still “ripe” for the production of a truck for the village. This is how GAZ Yermak appeared. The car was conceived as a universal platform, devoid of a number of shortcomings inherent in the entire "Gazelle-Valdaevsky" family.

Experienced trucks were in versions:

✅ Up to 3,5 tons
✅ Over this weight
✅ 4x2
✅ 4x4

The most important thing is the complete rejection of gasoline engines. Instead, they took American Cummins in two versions.
Unfortunately, GAZ "Ermak" did not become serial. He fell in an unequal battle with GAZon NEXT and Sadko of the new generation.

Appearance and interior

The design of GAZ "Ermak" is rather strange. The cockpit is similar to the NEXT, which has yet to debut in 2011. Only the front part was made more protruding and rounded. As representatives of the Gorky Automobile Plant said in those years, these are references to the GAZ-51/53.


Due to the short body, the truck cab looks too large. The model turned out "heady". And the single-sided busbar of the rear axle attracts attention. The appearance is bright and memorable.

By the way, on prototypes, the hood and front fenders are made of composite plastic. It is interesting that it was just a “pen test”, because on production cars these body elements were promised to be made of vulgar steel. However, GAZ Yermak did not live up to this barbarism, it remained at the stage of prototypes.


Wide footrests on both sides help to get inside the cab. But older drivers complained about the lack of handrails - because of this they had to grab the steering wheel. Otherwise, there are no complaints about ergonomics.

The dashboard is from the usual Gazelle, which is strange - in 2011 it was already possible to take this element from the Business model. It is possible that this is only for experienced cars, and the serial ones would be equipped with more modern “tidy”.


But the gearbox pleased with the “light” shift lever, instead of the standard “poker” of the Soviet period. That's just the "joystick" is not very convenient - too low. Representatives of the Gorky Automobile Plant then claimed that these were just prototypes, not even pre-production ones. They were supposed to be improved. Unfortunately, nothing of the sort happened.

Engines and gearboxes

GAZ Yermak received Cummins ISF engines. They are made in China, although they are assembled using technology and under the supervision of specialists from the United States. The power units are reliable, as time has shown, but in 2011 they were still very wary of them.

Light truck modifications received engines with a volume of 2,8 liters. These are rear-wheel drive versions with a capacity of 120 hp. With. More powerful 4x4 cars were equipped with 3,8-liter engines with 152 hp. With.

During the demonstration of experienced trucks, it was repeatedly said that in addition to foreign power units, cars would receive an alternative engine. This is YaMZ-534 with a power of around 190 hp. With. Most likely, such copies never appeared. At least, there is no information about them in any source.


Gearboxes on experienced trucks were installed from ZF. Interestingly, even with them, the engineers managed to screw up. Transfers were included tight, especially the second and third. Apparently, they did this in memory of the "Lawns", where there was the same problem. But the question is only in long cables, as the manufacturer later admitted. The disadvantage was going to be eliminated on the production model.

They also promised gearboxes of their own production. Due to this, they planned to reduce the cost of cars.

On-road and off-road test

Unlike the old "Lawns", the new truck had a high ride smoothness. Of course, this is not a passenger car, but on a broken primer without large pits, you can safely keep 60 km / h. The heavier the car is loaded, the softer it rides. By the way, the frame of the truck is powerful. The creators hinted that the machine will withstand 50% overload, if necessary.

The brakes of the GAZ "Ermak" are fully pneumatic. All experienced trucks received ABS.


Do not expect speakers from a commercial vehicle. But diesel engines, regardless of size, are distinguished by smooth traction at low and medium speeds. Cruising speed - 100-110 km / h.

Off-road cars performed well, especially all-wheel drive specimens. I am glad that all the “lowers” ​​and front-wheel drive are turned on with buttons, not levers. However, experienced drivers are wary of this - they prefer reliable mechanics.

GAZ "Ermak" could become a help in the countryside. Unfortunately, the model was abandoned. Instead, Sadko NEXT is now, but this four-wheel drive truck is too expensive to become massively popular.