LiAZ-4292.60 – the bus is waiting in the regions

The plant in Likino-Dulevo produced its last serial bus of the middle class - the now legendary LiAZ-677 - in 1994 (pieces were still produced in 2002). Until 2015, cars of this class did not reach the assembly line. The company at that time concentrated on the production of large buses.


One of them, LiAZ-5292, received a shorter body length (10,5 m) and is formally considered the predecessor of the currently produced LiAZ-4292.60 (aka “Cursor”) in two of its modifications. They differ from each other in the number of doors, which can be three or two, and there is a difference in the interior layout. The first option is most widespread.

Technical equipment of LiAZ-4292.60

The bus is equipped with a Russian turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine YaMZ-53404 with a volume of 4,43 liters, developing 210 “horses”. The power unit is controlled by an electronic module that monitors the condition of the motor through many sensors and conducts self-diagnosis.


Information is displayed on the dashboard using pointers and control LED indicators. The manufacturer provides a warranty of 150 thousand km, but the total engine life is stated at 700 thousand km.

Transmission and suspension

The bus is equipped with one of two gearboxes: American Allison E2100 or ZF 6AP-1000B. True, there is no information about what is being done at the plant in terms of import substitution: it is possible that an option with a transmission from Nizhny Novgorod Motors is being considered. Both gearboxes have six gears and are equipped with a torque converter lock-up. The latter can be used as a traffic retarder. To put it simply, it gives the impression that the bus is being slowed down by the engine, like a car with a manual transmission.


The vehicle is equipped with Hande Axle axles manufactured in China. The front and rear suspensions are dependent, pneumatic. The control is carried out using electronics, which also provides the “kneeling” function - tilting the body towards the doors. There are ABS, ASR, EBS systems. Brakes - disc, all-round.

Body and interior

The first, in terms of resistance to corrosion, is guaranteed for 12 years (meaning the absence of through rust during this period). The front and rear masks are made of plastic, the body is galvanized steel. The wheel arches are made of stainless steel, which is a good advantage of the design.


Passenger capacity may vary and depends on the version of the bus: two-door (for commuter service) or three-door. In the first case, the bus can accommodate up to 75 people (27 seats), if there is no area for people with limited mobility. A city bus with three doors will accommodate a maximum of 82 passengers (18 seats) under the above conditions. The number of seats can be increased to 23.


The microclimate in the cabin is ensured by ventilation (window windows, a pair of hatches) and a heating system (heat intake from the engine). For temperatures that are too low or high, it is possible to use a liquid heater SpherosThermo E-200 or an air conditioner developing 18 kW. There are route indicators inside and the windows are tinted.

Cabin

Initially, a conventional analogue dashboard with a “bunch” of switches was installed. However, today there are clear changes for the better in the bus: the driver’s workplace complies with the European Bus System of the Future.


This “foreignness” means the same arrangement of controls for different buses. This makes it easier for European drivers to quickly switch from one car brand to another. There are no such standards in the Russian Federation yet: LiAZ apparently decided to take the lead.


In addition to ergonomics, there are many other conveniences: from an electronic panel with a display to pockets for standard soda cans and coins.

Where is LiAZ-4292.60 used?

The geography is vast: from the Moscow region to Yakutia and the Far East. In March of this year, 126 buses of this brand were delivered to city parks in the capital region. Cars are purchased through preferential (3% per annum) loans. Previously, LiAZ-4292.60 were purchased by transport enterprises of the Yamalo-Nenets District, Primorsky and Transbaikal Territories, Irkutsk Region and other remote and close to the center regions of the country.