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UAZ 4x4 and Toyota FJ Cruiser Comparison


 

The UAZ 4x4

The UAZ "469" or "4x4" is the only Russian car that has had good success in the Western market. The UAZ 4x4 is worthy to have an important place in the 4x4 history, like the "rival" Jeep and the British Land Rover.

History

The UAZ ("Ulyanovskiy Avtomobilnyi Zavod", that means "Automotive Factory of Ulyanovsk") was founded in the 1941. The first activity of the UAZ was the production of ZIS and GAZ lorries under license ("ZIS" was the first name of the ZIL, factory of trucks and limousines). The first 4x4 produced, the UAZ "69", is simply a clone of the GAZ "69", with a side-valves engine, 2200 cc.  In the 1958, the first UAZ-engineered vehicle was realized: the truck/minibus "450", which evolutions are produced still today.

The "469" had several special versions: the anphibious version, called "3907", or "Jaguar". Also Lada and LUAZ realized anphibious versions of their models; unfortunately, the UAZ "3907" never reached the production.

The UAZ "469" was sold in Europe, obtaining a good success especially during the '80s, with the explosion of the off-road market. It's a vehicle still very good in the off-road practice, with unique military features, as the double fuel tank (40+40 liters!) and the rear niche that contains the grilles for the headlights. The worst "enemy" of this Russian "soldier" is the rust: but with a regular maintainance, the "469" offers to the owner the pleasure of the real off-road drive! Also several improved versions were realized by the importers: in the first and second pics above,  two version realized by the Italian importer "Martorelli", equipped with an Italian VM turbodiesel engine (or Peugeot 2.5 TD, 90 hp, and also Fiat 2.0 DOHC).

Between the late '80s an the early '90s, the UAZ factory realized a new military prototype to replace the legendary "469": the "3172", with a look very similar to the Toyota FJ Cruiser. The suspensions were with helic springs, and not with the leaf springs of the old model. Intended for a massive production, this vehicle passed the last pre-production tests in 1993, but the crisis of the Red Army -main committent of the Ulyanovsk factory- stopped the new project.
 


The Beijing "212", like the UAZ "469", was presented in the early '60s, and produced after some year. Produced only for the Chinese army until some year ago, the Beijing are now produced also for the civil market. Above, the new versions, called "2020" (first, second and third pics above; in the fourth pic, the beautiful "2020 Kuangcao ST"), with several improvements, as the alloy wheels, the front disk brakes, new shock-absorbers, colllapsable steering column, lighter clutch and...a gearbox with 4 speeds (at least, not three!). With 85 hp, the factory declares a "rapid" acceleration in 16, 5 seconds, but from 0 to 60 km/h! The Beijing produces also the Jeep Cherokee under license, and the "Heroic", a Jeep-based 4x4; therefore, curiously, Soviet and American production are still both present in the Beijing's range of models (see the page about the Chinese cars).
 
Recent models

 The "469" is still in production (in Russia it's called "3151"), and it has been updated with new engines, as the new Russian ZMZ 2.5 16V, with 150 hp, mounted under the cowl of the new "Bars" version, equipped with a "real" dashboard , and more "civil" seats. In the third and fourth pics, the "Sport" version, with a shortened base and without doors (Jeep Renegade style)! The more recent version (launched at the Moscow Show 2002), with the grille painted in the same color of the coachwork and with other improvements.

But the future of the UAZ is is the "Simbir" (in Russian this means "leopard"; it's also named "3160" or "3162", according to the short and long wheelbase versions), launched in the far 1993, but produced only since 1998. The power in the several versions, goes from 90 to 120 hp. There are also the ZMZ 2.5 16V engine (150 hp) and the italian VM turbodiesel (124 hp). Like the prototype "3172", the suspension are with helic springs, differently from the "469" that has the leaf springs.

Recently, some new version of the "Simbir" has been realized: the "2362" pick-up, and the "2760" with an high plastic roof (third pic). A newer version of the 5-door and pick-up versions, launched in the 2001, with a beautiful front grille and modern headlights: very better than the previous version (a bit outdated about the design), but it's still in the pre-production stage.

On the base of the "evergreen" UAZ 469, a little Russian factory, the "Dragon Motor", produces two interesting 4x4 models in limited series, in two ex-military plants located in the cities of Aginskoje (Siberia) and S. Petersburg. The first model is the "Jump", a sort of hybrid between a dune-buggy and a classic jeep: roof and doors can be removed, the coachwork is in no-painted fiberglass (the paint is incorporated in the plastic material). The "Astero", instead, is a luxury off-road, with a rich equipment (air conditioning, leather interiors), intended also for the on-road use. Both are based on the UAZ's chassis; the engine can be the old UAZ, the GAZ V8 with 200 hp (the same of the "Tchaika" limousines) or the new ZMZ  2.5 16 valves, with 150 hp. If produced directly by the UAZ, these 4x4 could be a good opportunity for the Ulyanovsk factory.

The last UAZ novelty: the "3165-Simba", 4WD van intended for the replacement of the old minibus series (born in the 1958!). The prototype was recently restyled; the engine is the (very) old four-cylinder of the "469", but increased to 2700 cc, and boosted up to 128 hp. Currently, the UAZ are imported in few exemplars in Europe (the new laws about the safety makes the Russian 4x4 totally out of the market). Also the new model is still not imported in Italy. But a joint-venture was signed by the UAZ and the De Tomaso (Italian factory of luxury sport cars), to produce the "Simbir" in a new plant located in the city of Gioia Tauro (South Italy).

Toyota FJ Cruiser

Introduction

Toyota's retro-styled FJ Cruiser SUV re-creates some of the 1958 FJ40's original charm - a memory lost in today's anything-but-minimalist Land Cruiser. For its second model year Toyota has added standard side-impact and curtain airbags, a new offroad option package and new paint colors.

The FJ Cruiser sports boxy styling and a dirt-friendly interior. Flashy colors and a base price in the low-$20,000s should attract the same vein of outdoor SUV enthusiasts who buy Nissan Xterras or Jeep Wranglers. Hardcore off-roaders might prefer a Wrangler Rubicon or Hummer H3, where someone who plans to drive on pavement alone and prefers refinement and efficiency is better off with a Toyota Highlander or RAV4.

Features including power mirrors, remote keyless entry and cruise control are offered as optional add-ons. That might seem a bit stingy in this price range, but bear in mind that the base FJ Cruiser includes an electronic stability system and Toyota's stout 4.0-liter V-6.

FJ Exterior

The main exterior changes for 2008 include the discontinuation of Black Cherry Pearl paint and the addition of Brick Red and Sandstorm. Fitted between circular headlamps, a framed grille reads "TOYOTA" in all caps. The front styling is a throwback to the original FJ40, as are the FJ Cruiser's white roof and wraparound rear-quarter windows. Other elements are not so faithful: A high beltline and short windows bear more resemblance to Hummer's current lineup than to the FJ40's tall, lanky cab.

The wide windshield includes three wipers, a feature few vehicles in automotive history can claim. Rear-hinged access doors facilitate backseat entry. In the rear, the swing gate holds a spare tire and opens to the left to allow loading on the curb side. Standard 17-inch steel wheels can be upgraded to 17-inch alloy wheels. The new offroad package has 16-inch wheels, which accommodate higher sidewalls and more cushioning from the BF Goodrich Rugged Trail tires.

The spare tire mounts to the swing gate so it won't sacrifice ground clearance under the truck or cargo space inside.

The Interior

A rectangular, truck-like dashboard incorporates a prominent square panel with stereo and climate controls. A compass, outside temperature display and vehicle pitch readouts are available with an optional gauge cluster that sits above the middle air vents. Door inserts and dashboard panels can be matched to the FJ Cruiser's exterior color.

Standard items include air conditioning, power windows and door locks, and a six-speaker CD stereo. Remote keyless entry, cruise control, power mirrors and a six-CD changer are optional.

The five-seat interior features water-resistant fabric. The backseat folds forward in a 60/40 split to create a flat load floor that's coated in a rubber-like material. With the seats down, maximum cargo volume is 66.8 cubic feet, which beats the Xterra (65.7) and Wrangler (61.2) with their rear seats down. The Xterra's cargo volume expands further with an optional fold-flat front passenger seat, a feature the FJ Cruiser lacks.

The Engine

A 4.0-liter V-6 makes 239 horsepower and 278 pounds-feet of torque. Two-wheel-drive FJ Cruisers use a standard five-speed automatic transmission, while four-wheel-drive models have either the automatic or a six-speed manual. Now buyers, or existing owners, can have a Toyota Racing Development supercharger installed that boosts the output to 304 hp and 334 pounds-feet of torque. Installed by the dealer, it's included in the powertrain warranty.

Rear-wheel drive is standard. Optional four-wheel drive features a locking rear differential and two-speed transfer case with a 2.57:1 low-range ratio. That's close to the Xterra's 2.63:1 ratio but short of the Wrangler's 2.72:1 or available 4:1 ratios. Ground clearance is rated at 9.6 inches on a four-wheel-drive FJ Cruiser. An Xterra falls in the same range, but the Wrangler can be equipped to clear 10.3-inch obstacles.

A full set of underbody skid plates, mud guards and tow hooks are all standard. The offroad package adds - in addition to the Rugged Trail tires - Bilstein shock absorbers, an additional engine air cleaner and a special locking rear differential that communicates and cooperates with the brake-based traction control.

When properly equipped, the FJ Cruiser can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

FJ Cruiser Safety

The FJ has earned Good results in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests. Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes and an electronic stability system are standard. For 2008 the front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags that cover the side windows for front and backseat occupants are now standard.