Russia: New GAZ Volga Siber!

In 2006, GAZ Group acquired the Sebring platform from Chrysler, on the basis of which the new vehicle was developed.

With the purchase of the platform from Chrysler, we acquired new light vehicle production and quality control technologies – technologies used in modern automobile construction.

The Siber will be manufactured in Russia and sales will start in 2008. The vehicle’s design was adjusted to better suit Russian roads. Among these technical changes are increased road clearance and hardened suspension.

The other changes have to do with the look of the Siber. The bumper, radiator grill and lights have been redesigned. There are plans to revamp the salon.

Installation and preparation of equipment is currently under way at the GAZ production line in Nizhny Novgorod. Contracts are being signed with part suppliers. The question of partial localization of component production is being carefully considered.

New welding and assembly lines have been built. The Haden-2 painting complex has been modernized. In effect, a new factory has been built for the production of the Siber.

The first Siber cars will already be rolling off the assembly line at GAZ this summer. The Siber is being manufactured under licence from the American company Chrysler, but the engineers at Magna have made a great contribution to the implementation of the project. Canadian colleagues played a very active role in the work during virtually all the phases of the project – from procurement, setting up information systems and localizing spare parts to improving technologies, for example in the paint or welding shops on the assembly line. About 150 Canadian specialists provided direct assistance to get the Siber’s assembly plant in Nizhny Novgorod operational.

Specifications of the Volga Siber:

Basic equipment: 2-liter engine with 141hp, air conditioning, two airbags, ABS, anti-skid Traction Control System, halogen headlamps with delayed disconnection and adjustable levels of brightness, power steering, adjustable steering wheel, electric driver’s seat adjustable in six directions, stereo system with 6 speakers and amplifier, heated and folding electric mirrors and a full spare tire.

Main technical specifications: 4-cylinder in-line Chrysler engine (standard Euro 4). Displacement: 2 litre and 2.4 litre. Power: 141hp and 143hp; Torque: 188 @ 4,350 and 210 @ 4,200. Maximum speed: 200 kmph. Fuel tank capacity: 61 litres. Dimensions: clearance: 140 mm; length: 4,844 mm; width: 1.792 mm; height: 1,394 mm; volume of passenger compartment: 2,660 litres; volume of boot: 453 litres.

Kyle & Svet

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