Russian car fans, you guys are being polite. We talked about the Lada 4×4 in the last issue, and the response seems to be wrong. So, this also allows us to continue to talk about Lao Maozi’s off-road vehicle. Today’s one is the “Patriot” of Ulyanovsk (UAZ), an off-road vehicle full of Russian pragmatism like the Lada Niva.
Regarding the name “Patriot”, I actually don’t know why it is called so, but one thing is certain, it doesn’t seem to have much to do with missiles. Because since World War II, UAZ has produced military trucks for the Soviet Red Army just like JEEP for the United States. This may be precisely fate. The best-selling model of UAZ may also be a patriot itself, so in the vast wilderness of Russia. You can find a loyal crowd of patriots.
The Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant is located 550 miles east of Moscow. This is the home base of the “Patriot”. Although it is one of the new models, the first “Patriot” was already 13 years ago. , although it does not represent the most advanced, but the annual innovation, so that “Patriot” satisfaction continues to improve.
Apart from redesigns and technical improvements in 2014 and 2016, the design of the “Patriot” has remained largely unchanged since its debut in 2005, with only the headlights, grille and interior being patched. .
In March 2019, the new “Patriot” will be launched with a 5-speed transmission, Baikal blue will also become one of the new colors, and some models will also be equipped with 18-inch wheels. In addition, the “Patriot” will also provide optional services, including winches, luggage racks, rear ladders and off-road tires from BFGoodrich. These items were previously part of the “Patriot” special edition, but are no longer. – An additional payment of approximately USD 3,000 is required.
The interior has changed very little. The solid grab handles at the corners of the A- and B-pillars are helpful for getting in and out of the car. Sound insulation pads have been added to other places to reduce engine and tire noise to a certain extent.
The shoes on the feet can be low-key, but the enthusiasm in the heart cannot be stopped. The “Patriot” is equipped with a 2.7L inline four-cylinder engine, and the torque does not matter. Just look at the 150 horsepower, and you will know that it must be a character who is unwilling to be lonely. , which was borrowed from the truck.
Due to the use of new pistons and new cylinder heads and heat-resistant exhaust valves, the figures show a certain increase in compression ratio, power and torque, but in reality, these small performance changes do not reflect the The revolutionary change only finds a confident balance point in low-speed off-road performance.
Compared with the old model, the “Patriot” equipped with a “new” engine has become a little easier to overtake. The 0-100KM that used to take 20 seconds to run, now only takes 12.7 seconds. You must know that this is a weight exceeding The performance of the 2.1-ton SUV model is quite impressive.
Of course, we need to eat fine grains for heavy work, but on the vast land of Russia (niao bula shi), it is not easy to fill our stomachs with coarse grains (92 gasoline). any questions.
There is also good news that the “Patriot” is about to release a dual-fuel version, which is equipped with the ZMZ Pro engine of the Profi pickup truck, which will provide fruitful help for old drivers to discuss “going one step further”.
In addition to the new engine, UAZ has also upgraded the clutch of the “Patriot”, which is lighter, easier to operate, reduces noise, and has higher reliability. At the same time, the five-speed manual gearbox is also a new member of the “Patriot”.
It’s a shame the six-speed gearbox wasn’t there, but UAZ seems happy with the five-speed. Because in order to solve the problem of too much vibration of the transmission’s throwing stroke and gear lever, UAZ reduced the throwing stroke, replaced the solid gear lever, and adopted a multi-piece setup, including an integrated damper, to reduce vibration.
The biggest changes to the Patriot are the new front axle and steering components. Along with the more powerful engine and upgraded transmission, the Patriot needs a stronger frame and stronger dampers on the steering rack to handle tricky inside situations. This upgrade is also available on older Patriots, which is good news.
UAZ has also tuned the suspension, softening the rear springs by 6%, while tuning the shocks on all four wheels, replacing the rear sway bar with a thinner 18mm (the old model was 21mm), and improving the performance during the ride. It will be softer and more comfortable. But UAZ didn’t modify the bodywork in response to the suspension changes, which means that bumps, oversteer are present, and it behaves too loosely on slippery roads and tends to be too aggressive when accelerating.
Overall, the updated Patriot is more in line with what buyers expect from an SUV. The 2019 model is more powerful, more powerful, handles better, and more durable (galvanized sheet, high-strength 3M adhesive, etc.). But satisfaction is more than expected. I also saw that the plastic texture of the interior is relatively strong, and the assembly quality is also average. Although the door adopts a new sealing device, there is still no way to prevent dust from entering every corner.
In terms of price, UAZ offers four models, priced from 766,500 to 1,049,000 rubles ($11,667 to $16,000). Optional packages cost between 30,000 and 35,000 rubles ($456 to $532).
In recent months, UAZ has announced the opening of dealerships in Lebanon and Mexico, its line of off-road vehicles has also entered the Kazakhstan market, and UAZ’s pickup truck and Patriot SUV have also been certified in Italy. Russian SUVs have long been known and admired for their capabilities, and no doubt the Patriot, with its competitive price tag, will find a similar place in the hearts of foreign consumers. If you like hunting, fishing, poetry and distance, or just want to escape the broken reality of civilized life, or if you really live in the vast land of Russia, then this UAZ “Patriot” becomes worth recommending up.
