I wanted to see what some of you guys think of this new styling direction the Russian automaker GAZ is taking with the new Volga.

Being from the old country myself, I grew up around the likes of:
http://digilander.libero.it/cuoccimix/GAZ-M2119691m.jpg - my grand dad had one of these old skool honeys. it was literally built like a tank.

http://digilander.libero.it/cuoccimi...olga_m24-1.jpg - this was like the Chevy of the '70s-'80s. this thing was everywhere.

http://digilander.libero.it/cuoccimix/GAZVOLGA3.JPG - the above evolved into this, by '97.

http://digilander.libero.it/cuoccimix/3110-3.jpg - another variant.

http://polonez.free.fr/gaz/volgataxi.jpg - Jason Bourne's taxi.

http://polonez.free.fr/photo12b.html - here is what they finally arrived at. this new Volga is to be released this year. I think.

OK, opinion time. I think it looks rather handsom and the interior is stellar for Russian car standards. I also think it looks like a Buick, but in a good way (whatever that means). The high ground clearance makes it look a bit truckish, but it's also a nessesity of life for that car. Cars are often taken "off road" to get to some villages and other areas outside of the metropolitan areas.

 

wow, look at those long legs.

 

just one of the country's great natural resources, but that's not really what i asked about.

 

Seems like a big step from previous Volgas, at the same time it is difficult to discern the interior - the picture is too small. If the new one sells for 5-7,000 - not bad.

It looks like it has an inline-4 in that engine bay. What's the mass of that thing anyway?

 

i've seen it quoted as 1.5 - 1.8 metric tonnes. so up to 3900lbs. it's probably got something in the vecinity of 160hp from a 2.5L I4, so it's not exactly a muscle car. there are other forces at work, preventing the Russian made cars from going to bigger engines besides techincal know-how. most of all the added expance pushing the cost in the realm of the used-import market (which is heavily favored) and a hefty (for the average russian) levy/tax on autos with engines displacing more than 2.5L.

BUT, having said that, it's definitely better to drive a "slow" car that is relatively luxurious and "cheap" than to drive a sh1tcan that's neither fast nore luxurious in any shape or form.

 

Unless the quality of workmanship has improved quite a lot in the recent years, that car will not stand a chance anywhere outside Russia. If the pricing and quality are in line, it might be a competitor, though.

Volga doesn't, of course, have the status of a BMW or MB, so that might create a bit of an obstacle. I think many Russians will still choose a used German import over a domestic new vehicle.

TS

 

Its got more style than half the ***-cans on the streets in this country...Whether the style is good is subjective, but at least it tries.

 

I see a bit of Jaguar in the front end? Are the cup holders round or cresent shaped to hold a flask of Vodka?

 

I think it looks pretty good, except for the chrome on the front bumper. It's hard to see the interior, but it looks like it may be decent as well.

 

I think the whole side profile looks jaguar x type....very not bad at all.


and yes on a side note...us russians, have great women. lol. great legs, thing is i didnt even notice till someone mentioned it here, just looked at hte car not hte girl...damn, we are picky with women. lol.


morb, you russian? where from?

On a side note...volga's are still very popular in russia and pre-deconstruction of soviet union, volga's were a status car....driven by high class officials, kgb, and politicians.

As far as not having a big big engine....few reasons, costs....and just no one really cares....most of hte roads in russia are not great and outside of moscow, leningrad, kiev, odessa and other major cities, only few paved interstate roads....so you are not going to go drag racing, needless to say....those cars still get up to speed. In russia a car is about status, not how fast it gets from 0 to 60.

 

On a side note... here is a concept LADA concept roadster

http://polonez.free.fr/photo22.html

 

that's interesting to say the least.

i'm from Kiev but haven't been back in about 13 years or so. really itching to go though. still have family in Starij Oskol, Belgorodskaya Oblast that I visited in 2001. it was nice to visit, but it was even nicer to come back home. what parts are you from?

 

odessa, ukraine. 13 years for me too. hehe.. my brother was over there last year... and some other relatives were just there... they say it is very very nice there... especially the new resorts, looking to go back probly next year maybe early fall.

 

I would assume that is not that good of a reference anymore...

 

basicly saying upper class people.... there are still upper class people... same people who drive merc and benz's here, would drive volga's there.