And there was Biglorryblog thinking there weren't any new trucks being launched lately. Thanks to Fedor Lapshin, editor of Trucks & Buses Autoreview magazine in Moscow (and a fellow judge on the International Truck of the Year Jury) BLB brings you the news that KAMAZ, the biggest truck manufacturer in Russia, has modernised its product line and come up with restyled cabs (inside and out) for its artics and rigids. The latest four-point air suspended cab (used on tippers as well as tractors) features a reinforced structure with front collision protection plus updated headlights and spoilers. Inside there's a new steering wheel with pneumatic adjustment, Grammer seats, (manufactured in Russia) an electronic dashboard with smart new display and a new upper bed too. Now click through here for more pictures and details!
Underneath the hood there's the same 11-litre V8 - but now with Bosch common rail injection, single Schwitzer turbo. It comes in either Euro 3 or Euro 4 with SCR, up to 400hp with a 460hp version for the future. Behind it there's a new ZF AS-Tronic 2 auto box as an option. In future, Fedor tells me, AS-Tronic will be produced by KAMAZ, in a joint venture with ZF. The Russian truck maker already has a joint agreement with ZF to build 9 and 16-speed manual boxes. There's also new rear axle with pneumatic suspension and ECAS, up 700 litres of fuel tanks. Meanwhile, on the rigid side there are new, lighter-weight (by 10%) factory tipper bodies plus a new 'delivery' range with Cummins engine (manufactured by KAMAZ on joint venture), pneumatuc rear suspension and ECAS. Fedor adds: "Of course, you can't compare KAMAZ with Western European trucks - for example the beds are narrow (60 cm) and the cab isn't quite as roomy. But in every case KAMAZ trucks are ready for long-distance transport, and they are cheap: The price today for a Euro-3 truck 400hp engine and ZF manual 16-speed gearbox is around 38000 Euros."
Fedor concludes: "Once more, in Septrember KAMAZ-Master sport team will feature in a new international 'Rally-Raid Silk Way' from Russia via Kazachstan to Turkmenistan. This rally is already included in the Dakar series, and all big competitors have promised to be there: MAN with Stacey, DAF-De Rooy, Lopraic (Tatra) and others. The website for new rally-raid is http://www.silkwayrally.com.
http://trucks.autoreview.ru/anons/AR93_600.jpg
Here it is one more picture:
http://trucks.autoreview.ru/anons/AR93_600.jpg
Yes, it's cover page of latest russian Truck&Bus Autoreview edition
New KAMAZ trucks are really nice to drive (compared with previous:), and fully new cab, developed together with korean engineering company, will be ready in 2012. First prototype will be built very soon. Follow BigLorryBlog and thanks to Brian!
Dear Mr Lapshin,
I am planning a winter adventure trip from Berlin to Chukotka. Experts are suggesting a "good 6x6 russian truck". Do you think new Kamaz models will be able to withstand real arctic conditions and winter roads /no roads trails?
Do you know if they will be available in the chassis version to be customized with a living van or body? Will they be available in EU too?
Could you suggest other brands/models (Ural? Zil?)
Thanks for any help and suggestion.
Kind regards
FB
Dear Frank Brown,
If you require tips on travelling to and in Chukotka, a good source of information should the the former Governor of Chukotka, c/o Chelsea Football Club.
But seriously, I might be able to offer some tips and/or assistance if you intend to travel through Poland. Please get in touch if you are interested.
Cheers, from Poland,
Andrzej
European trucks looks sissy comparing to Kamaz, those are tough bad asses with V8s for real men!