On “the Loaf” in Germany: a German review of the anniversary UAZ 452
2018 UAZ 452 “Loaf”: a Test drive in German
Seeing the light green-white “Loaf”, the Germans asked the question: Is the Oldtimer? And hastened to give an answer: No – this is new Russian car…
It is always interesting to know the opinion of foreigners about the Russian automotive industry. Especially valuable is the opinion of the inhabitants of those countries where a highly developed automotive industry. As you know, at the moment one of the engines of the global car industry remains Germany. Moreover, the Germans are so immersed in avtotema that they can literally be called fans of cars. And the fans there is a special relationship to the object of their adoration. Therefore, it is important to listen to the opinions of such people. Suddenly something clever to say?
“Here’s what we learned from the brief but in some respects, the bright test review of the anniversary “Loaf”, the famous UAZ 452.”, the Germans begin his narrative.
UAZ 452 “Buchanka” – Russian all-wheel drive minivan produced on the banks of the Volga for more than 60 years. They got in touch with this whimsical “alloderm”. In vain?
“This car is so fancy that it seems he has a fairly high share of self-irony. So, the bus costs to the buyer and softly smiles at him. Glowing lights-the eyes, puffy face. The body is made in baby style. Franz Miller can not help smiling in response. Franz and UAZ. Two new friends found each other. One 50, another 60. Both cute individualists. “I drove the VW Bus many years to come, says Franz. Now he wants to try the van in the Russian style.
Yes, you will agree that our “wooden” Wasicu not to take charisma. Looks like this car is originally from the cartoon about the adventures of Cheburashka and Crocodile Gena. Or the cartoon interpreted the UAZ much more cartoony way? Yes, I guess so, because the serial production of the 452 th Oise began several years before that in 1965. But the first prototypes began to knead the dirt even earlier – since 1958.
Since 1958, UAZ for 60 years goes anywhere
Vintage cars, new cars, UAZ mixed for 60 years, all in a heap – horses, people.
“The minibus from the Volga officially called UAZ-452. In Russia his name differently- with love, neglect is a “Loaf”. Which means tin bread. Since 1958, she became the main “food” for everyone who wants to go everywhere. Originally developed for the military, “highland” UAZ today riding in the taiga and tundra. And sometimes passes through the Bavarian mountains.
There, near Rosenheim, lives Dmitry Schwab. He sells new and vintage cars of the Russian production”.
How to describe the process of acquiring the Germans – it is not easy. Some unsaleable in Germany cars have to wait for six months. For example, an order from Russia jubilee “Loaf” came to Germany as much as five months. Another month gone Dmitry Schwab to “finished” car to the German requirements. Oh, how our way! But the future owners are not mad, they just want!
Schwab explains: “the Russians supply us with geometry, we do the rest”. Noticing that it feels like a real Baker: “every kind of loaf and the same, but still unique.”
The equipment is functional and very scarce
The Germans inside the UAZ: “the Driver UAZ should forget about any modern requirements for comfort in only salon”.
Door seals, adjust door locks, check propeller shaft and universal joints. Dmitry Schwab knows all about all the critical points of buses UAZ. But all the disadvantages can be adjusted.
“There’s this motto, the German collector UAZ teach their countrymen: if something is not right, take a hammer and install the item”.
“To disassemble the UAZ, Dmitry continues, all he needs is the key on the 17-th to 19-th and the basic hammer to disassemble the entire bus.”
Do you know what the price tag with the car in Germany? From 19.990 Euros! It is a second – over 1.5 million! Not every German is free to pull a toy in his garage, not getting into credit bondage.
But it pays off as a joke, local fans UAZ “a long list of things… not in the car. In the minibus there are neither eight nor six, nor two airbags, they are generally there. It’s like the old joke from the GDR: “You’d rather not have ESP or the window?” (approx. “Trabant” and “Wartburg” in the GDR of course was not at all complex electronic systems).
But the UAZ in 2018 – not “Wartburg”, in the end, the car comes with power steering and ABS on Board. Not to mention the new door handles, 16-inch wheels in the color of the roof (they are white, if you noticed) – and that comes with only one key for the doors and starter.
“Of course, Russian is also has heating in the two circuits. Warm air flows from the pipe on the floor. 112-horsepower gasoline engine, compliant with Euro 6, consume about 12 litres, located between the two front seats that on paper sounds cooler than it really is” good-natured sniping the Germans who met with the UAZ.
The performance is not very relevant
“Modest: Bucinca speeds up to 115 km / h, but on a country road in the woods and in the meadow it feels comfortable”.
“UAZ goes surprisingly quiet. If he goes… First gear is a mix of force and tact. “In half an hour you get used to it”, – says the seller of Schwab from the passenger seat, and then briefly interferes with the switching process”. The Germans especially liked the movement of the switch to fifth gear. Sweeping it is.
“Its top speed is 115 km / h. However, the “Loaf” on the back roads and especially in the forests and meadows feels much better than on the highway. “Some people buy bus in addition to its G-class,” says Schwab. As a machine for the forest. Two feet of water? No problem. Before you the 30 degree slope that you want to go? It’s not an obstacle”!
Off-road grip our SUV, according to the Germans, no less than their “Unimog”. And that’s very high praise – the Unimog is a thing where there are no roads or they are too bad.
Does not fit all “UAZ Buchanka”
Requires a lot of compromises: “If you want to buy “Buchanku”, you must first try it.”
Anyway, this car is an adventure. Means of survival in which the survival experience does not begin in the Sahara, and as soon as you leave the garage. “If you buy this car, you need a sense of humor,” says Schwab. UAZ as if done manually, all the cracks and inconsistencies already customized in the workshop of Schwab. This car is all about. According to Schwab, he doesn’t sell bus UAZ without training any buyer.
“People saw the pictures of the bus, found it enjoyable – and ordered it without additional work.” Once we took him off three months later because the bus and the owner could not get along. “Klinet were expecting German quality for Russian prices”.
Dmitry Schwab has clients throughout Germany. “East Germans still remember these machines from the times of the GDR, and the West Germans just like the design. We can understand them. Side lights turn signals. Headlights and rounded contours of the body look cute and naive. Finely perforated ceiling panel with grey plastic reminiscent of the cars of our childhood, and the dashboard is simple and clear, like the whole car.
The Germans who ordered such a car? “Lada is usually bought by people who want to save, but such a van take on belief, says Schwab. 60-70 percent of customers to turn a bus into a camper”. The entrepreneur says that a lot of customers.
Schwab imports buses UAZ directly to Europe. Here the car receives the approval of the EU, and then in Germany, TÜV, technical inspection and German documents. “Every time I come for regular documents, there is always an audience, and these people congratulate me on my successful recovery. In these moments, my car dealer smiling and I think laughing, too”.
Technical characteristics of UAZ 452 in 2018
- Engine: four cylinder, located front, transverse, 2 valves per cylinder
- Displacement: 2.693 CC;
- Power: 82 kW (112 HP) at 4250 / min;
- Max. Torque: 198 Nm at 2500 rpm;
- Drive system: plug-full drive with 5-speed manual transmission;
- Brakes equipped with ABS, with front disc and rear drum mechanisms;
- Length / width / height: 4963/1940/2064 mm;
- Curb weight: 2.005 kg;
- Useful load: 875 kg;
- Max. speed: 115 km / h;
- Average consumption: 12.3 l / 100 km;
- CO2 emissions: 216 g / km, 6-euros.
- Price in Germany, from 19 990 Euro (1.5 million) However!
