Say hello to the UAZ-469, one of the most versatile offroad vehicles on earth.
What’s it all about?
The UAZ-469 is one of the most versatile offroad vehicles in the world. It is based on the GAZ-69 military light utility vehicle and was used by most Eastern bloc countries’ armies.
The 469 was introduced in 1971. It was produced in Russia, Germany (2003-2007 as the Baijah Automotive), Cuba and Azerbaijan, Vietnam and Ukraine. In fact, UAZ still offers a modernized model to customers. It is called the Hunter.
Technical details:
The original offroader had a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine producing 71 horsepower (56kilowatts). It was mated with a 4-speed manual gearbox, and an all-wheel drive. It could run on gasoline with an octane rating of 72.
The Hunter was launched in 2010 with a 2.7-liter optimized engine that produces 128 horsepower (94 kW) at 2,500 rpm and 148 pound feet (201 newton metres) of torque. A newer, five-speed transmission replaced the four-speed transmission. A 2.2-liter diesel engine with 114 horsepower (84 kW) is also available. It has a higher fuel efficiency and better fuel economy.
What’s special about it?
The 469 is still in stock on Russia’s market 40 years after its introduction. This is truly remarkable, as the vehicle’s architecture has remained almost unchanged over the past four decades. The UAZ was an offroad vehicle, unlike most modern crossovers and SUVs. It had a ground clearance of 8.26 inches (210 mm) which was the same as the basic model (468B). This value has remained constant until today.
It’s 2016, and many niches within the automotive industry have been filled. However, the modern Hunter, based on the 469, lives in its own category: rugged, retro-styled vehicles in the same vein as the Ural Motorcycle series.
UAZ keeps things simple, even though emission standards and customer demands are placing all manufacturers under increasing pressure. The front suspension has a dependent coil setup while the rear axle is on leaf spring. Drum brakes are still used on all four wheels.
Although some may think this is an outdated concept for an offroad vehicle, it is our favorite because it’s simple and reliable. It’s cool, and it still deserves a spot under the sun.
