All Russian automakers differ, in fact, by narrow specialization. A little out of this list AvtoVAZwhich, firstly, produces cars for the mass segment (and Lada Granta and is at all the best-selling car of recent years) and, secondly, will soon expand the model range. But GAS is really engaged in the production of specialized vehicles: trucks of various sizes and buses. Because of this, the company is highly dependent on the current market conditions. That is, in the event of a fall in demand for buses and commercial vehicles (which happened more than once in the history of the new Russia), GAZ will face serious financial problems.
The solution to the described problem can be “suggested” Hyundai, Geely and a number of other manufacturers, concentrated mainly in Asia. These companies today produce various types of vehicles, including, like GAZ, inexpensive commercial vehicles. Thanks to this broad specialization, Asian producers are less dependent on changes in the domestic and global market. If, for example, sales of cars fall for various reasons, they can compensate for such a “drawdown” by increasing sales of commercial vehicles. Moreover, relatively recently, this happened with JAC and a number of Chinese manufacturers.
Understanding this dependence, the management of the GAZ company may decide to expand the current model range at the expense of passenger cars. And it is more likely that the first such car will be a coupe-like crossover. Cars of this type are now very popular in the world and Russian markets. But it is likely that GAZ will not produce a future cross-coupe under its own brand, since most buyers associate it with commercial vehicles such as GAZelle.
The domestic designer has published a series of renderings depicting the first cross-coupe PAZ-3205 2022-2023. This style is more reminiscent of BMW X4, although it will belong to the budget segment. Most likely, the first cross-coupe PAZ will be estimated at about the same amount as Renault Kaptur from Geely Coolray. Creating a more expensive car in this case is impractical. PAZ in the minds of many Russians is associated as a manufacturer of buses. Therefore, the crossover of this brand at first will be wary.
Design
As noted, the PAZ-3205 2022-2023 cross-coupe is designed in a style reminiscent of BMW x4. The Russian model, like the Bavarian one, boasts massive front and rear body parts, which is why the sloping roofline seems to drop faster towards the stern. This combination of design solutions favorably distinguishes the PAZ cross-coupe from the background Renault Arkana, with which the novelty must compete.
The presented model, like the BMW X4, received even body elements: only small stamping strips are visible on the hood. At the same time, the front part is distinguished by its original performance in the whole market. An insert made of transparent plastic is fixed here, inside which LED lights are stretched in long ribbons that form the head optics. Between them you can see compact LED lights. Something similar has recently been proposed Volkswagen with electric cars of the ID series. But for German models, the LED strip runs up to the company badge.
The new PAZ cross-coupe is equipped with a polygonal grille with a mesh, the shape of which looks a little outdated. But this solution also allows you to highlight the presented model against the background of potential competitors. The front bumper is also designed in the style of the BMW X4. Its sides are adorned with deep ventilation cutouts, which are intersected by LED strips. In the center there is a large air intake with a fine mesh.
One of the important features of the presented PAZ-3205 2022-2023 cross-coupe is that it has a very high ground clearance. Its size probably reaches 210 mm. Complete with a crossover are rims with a diameter of about 20 inches, which are placed in wide arches. These solutions will provide the presented new product with good off-road capabilities, which is also important, given the competition with Renault Arkana.
The rear pillars of the cross-coupe are located at a very large angle, which leads to two consequences: poor visibility through the aft glazing and a low ceiling in the second row of seats. The sporty style of the Russian model is emphasized by a protrusion on the tailgate, reminiscent of a spoiler. Under it, the designer placed a large LED optics connected between a thin LED strip.
A rather large bumper with a plastic lining is fixed at the back, which narrows along the wheel arches. Against the background of such a body kit, the exhaust pipes look small.
Specifications
So far, nothing is known about the technical characteristics of the new PAZ coupe-shaped crossover. But with a high degree of probability, the basis for the Russian model will be the MQB platform, which will be borrowed from Volkswagen. The German concern should take part in the development of this cross-coupe. This is supported not only by the long-term cooperation between VW and GAZ, but also by the absence of such a car in the model range of the brand.
In this regard, it can be expected that the first PAZ-3205 2022-2023 cross-coupe will receive 1.4- or 1.5-liter turbocharged engines, the maximum output of which reaches 150 hp. At the same time, it is possible that a 125-horsepower supercharged engine will be installed in the basic version of the Russian novelty. This decision will help keep the price of the crossover at a low level. With a low-power motor, a 6-speed “mechanics” and “automatic” will be offered, with a more high-torque one – a 7-speed “robot”. In the second case, the PAZ cross-coupe will receive German all-wheel drive.
Time to market
At the moment, it is not known whether GAZ will actually return to the passenger car market. Therefore, it is likely that the presented PAZ cross-coupe will remain at the rank of the concept.