A new diesel powerplant entered production at the Gorky Automobile Plant, following reports previously circulated by Za Rulem. The engine, manufactured under license from the Chinese company Foton, has been designated by GAZ as the GAZ G21A. Industry observers note that this move marks a significant step in expanding GAZ’s diesel offerings through international collaboration and local manufacturing capabilities.
In May, GAZ reportedly mastered the casting process for the engine’s iron blocks, a milestone that supports the anticipated scale-up of production and supply. The latest information circulating on social platforms describes the engine as having a displacement of 2.5 liters, a power output of 149 horsepower, and a Euro 2 environmental classification. While these figures have yet to receive an official confirmation from the manufacturer, they align with the broader roadmap for diesel propulsion in the GAZ lineup.
A dealer has shared imagery of a corporate vehicle equipped with the newly developed Russian-Chinese power unit. The initial details were published by Dvaris, a company that retails GAZ vehicles, although the original Telegram post was subsequently removed. The circulating data suggests that the GAZ G21A may eventually power a wide range of models within the brand, enhancing both performance and efficiency across the portfolio.
Specifically, industry commentary points to the possibility that the assendent engine family will progressively replace older diesel options on several key models, including the GAZelle Next, the GAZelle NN, the Sobol NN, and the Valdai Next. This transition would reflect a strategic shift toward domestically produced, modern diesel engines across GAZ’s commercial vehicle segment, with potential benefits in maintenance, supply chain resilience, and long-term lifecycle costs.
- The GAZelle NN is anticipated to be among the first to adopt the G21A, signaling a phased rollout that prioritizes high-rotation commercial models. By contrast, the most recent Sobol NN vans arriving at distributors have been fitted with the well-known Cummins diesel engines, which may indicate a staged approach to powertrain updates across the range.
- Further insights and updates are available on the social platform Odnoklassniki, where automotive enthusiasts and industry observers share hands-on impressions and analysis.
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Source: RCI News.