Volga Siber
Encyclopedia
The Volga Siber was a saloon automobile
, introduced by the Russian
firm "GAZ Group
" at the "Интеравто-2007" (Interauto-2007) show in Moscow
on 29 August 2007. It is built on a platform licensed from an already prior generation of Chrysler Sebring
/ Dodge Stratus
. The design was adapted by the British
studio UltraMotive, with the design goal of making the most of the existing United States
model's features. Aesthetically, the Volga Siber differs from its American precursors only in the design of the radiator grille and lights.
The Siber was adapted to suit Russian needs; it features stiffer suspension
and higher ground clearance.
The base level will feature the 2.0 litre, 141 hp engine, air conditioning
, driver and passenger airbags, ABS
, a traction control system, halogen headlamps, power steering
, adjustable steering column, electrically adjustable driver's side seating, a six-speaker amplified audio system, heated folding side mirrors, self-dimming interior rear-view mirror, and a single-use spare tyre.
The more expensive "Lux" trim level will feature the more powerful 2.4 l, 142 hp engine, as well as a leather interior, an anti-theft system, and front fog lamps.
Future plans are to bring local parts production levels to 50%. Currently, head- and tail-lamps, bumpers and some panel components are being produced locally. All other parts are imported from the USA, with the exception of the engine and electronics which are produced at the Complejo Industrial Ramos Arizpe
industrial centre in Saltillo
, Mexico
.
Production of the GAZ Siber began on 28 March 2008, with a steady production level reached by 25 July 2008. 20,000 Sibers were planned for production in 2008, with 40,000 planned for 2009. Eventual yearly production was desired to reach the plant capacity of 100,000 vehicles per year. On 29 August 2008, GAZ began fleet sales of the Siber — to government employees, businessmen, and the Russian bank Sberbank
. The general public were able to purchase the Siber as of October 2008.
For production of the Siber a new assembly line was created (brought over from Chrysler
's plant in the USA). The GAZ plant assembly line will therefore be analogous to those at Chrysler plants. Also, all workers on the line have completed a comprehensive professional training program abroad.
At first, mostly imported parts will be used in vehicle assembly. Domestic (Russian-built) components will be used only when their quality has met or exceeded that of their imported counterparts. The engines will continue to be bought from Chrysler for the life of the model, according to current plans.
Due to the economic crisis in 2008 and 2009 the demand for Siber was low. GAZ will assemble Sibers up to the end of 2010. There will be no further car models under this brand. Siber production was ceased since November 2010 due to its economic inefficiency. The production of the older GAZ Volga 31105 was stopped in Summer 2010.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
, introduced by the Russian
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
firm "GAZ Group
GAZ
GAZ or Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod , translated as Gorky Automobile Plant , started in 1932 as NAZ, a cooperation between Ford and the Soviet Union. It is one of the largest companies in the Russian automotive industry....
" at the "Интеравто-2007" (Interauto-2007) show in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
on 29 August 2007. It is built on a platform licensed from an already prior generation of Chrysler Sebring
Chrysler Sebring
The Chrysler Sebring is a line of mid-size cars that was sold by Chrysler from 1995 to 2010.The Sebring came in three generations. The first, from 1995 to 2000, was available first only as a coupe and starting in 1996 as a convertible. The two body designs did not share many components nor any...
/ Dodge Stratus
Dodge Stratus
The Dodge Stratus was a mid-size 4-door sedan introduced in 1995. It was based on the Chrysler JA platform Cab forward . The Stratus, Breeze, and Cirrus were all on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1996 and 1997. It received critical acclaim at launch, but ratings fell over time...
. The design was adapted by the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
studio UltraMotive, with the design goal of making the most of the existing United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
model's features. Aesthetically, the Volga Siber differs from its American precursors only in the design of the radiator grille and lights.
The Siber was adapted to suit Russian needs; it features stiffer suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
and higher ground clearance.
Trim levels
Two trim levels will be available: Comfort (with 2.0 or 2.4 litre engines), and Lux (2.4 l engine only).The base level will feature the 2.0 litre, 141 hp engine, air conditioning
Air conditioning
An air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
, driver and passenger airbags, ABS
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
, a traction control system, halogen headlamps, power steering
Power steering
Power steering helps drivers steer vehicles by augmenting steering effort of the steering wheel.Hydraulic or electric actuators add controlled energy to the steering mechanism, so the driver needs to provide only modest effort regardless of conditions. Power steering helps considerably when a...
, adjustable steering column, electrically adjustable driver's side seating, a six-speaker amplified audio system, heated folding side mirrors, self-dimming interior rear-view mirror, and a single-use spare tyre.
The more expensive "Lux" trim level will feature the more powerful 2.4 l, 142 hp engine, as well as a leather interior, an anti-theft system, and front fog lamps.
Future plans are to bring local parts production levels to 50%. Currently, head- and tail-lamps, bumpers and some panel components are being produced locally. All other parts are imported from the USA, with the exception of the engine and electronics which are produced at the Complejo Industrial Ramos Arizpe
Saltillo
Saltillo is the capital city of the northeastern Mexican state of Coahuila and the municipal seat of the municipality of the same name. The city is located about 400 km south of the U.S. state of Texas, and 90 km west of Monterrey, Nuevo León....
industrial centre in Saltillo
Saltillo
Saltillo is the capital city of the northeastern Mexican state of Coahuila and the municipal seat of the municipality of the same name. The city is located about 400 km south of the U.S. state of Texas, and 90 km west of Monterrey, Nuevo León....
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Production
Sberbank
Sberbank Rossii is the largest bank in Russia and Eastern Europe. The company's headquarters are in Moscow and its history goes back to Cancrin's financial reform of 1841...
. The general public were able to purchase the Siber as of October 2008.
For production of the Siber a new assembly line was created (brought over from Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
's plant in the USA). The GAZ plant assembly line will therefore be analogous to those at Chrysler plants. Also, all workers on the line have completed a comprehensive professional training program abroad.
At first, mostly imported parts will be used in vehicle assembly. Domestic (Russian-built) components will be used only when their quality has met or exceeded that of their imported counterparts. The engines will continue to be bought from Chrysler for the life of the model, according to current plans.
Demand
External links
- Official site (Russian)
- Volga Siber owners community (Russian)
- Photogallery of the GAZ Siber
- «Группа ГАЗ» объявляет о готовности производственной линии к выпуску нового легкового автомобиля Siber
- Здравствуй, Volga, здравствуй, Siber! («За рулём» magazine)
- Своими глазами: Volga Siber - настоящее, прошлое, будущее статья Авторевю