Maz minibuses

Minsk automobile plant keeps up with the Times and is constantly developing, producing modernized models of vehicles. But if earlier the range of equipment was limited to trucks and buses of large capacity, then in 2010 a new direction was developed – these are minibuses.

History

As it happened earlier, the designers of the Minsk automobile plant did not want to create a unique vehicle, having acquired a ready-made solution and modernized it for the necessary realities. Toyota Hiace was taken as the basis for the so-called "Mazel", which predetermined the fate of further modifications.

Despite the good technical characteristics, the dimensions of the base of the Maz minibus are not large, which is very inconvenient for operation in Russia and the CIS countries, especially when it comes to urban routes. It was not easy for people with above-average height to sit comfortably, not to mention those who had to stand during the trip. Despite this, several modifications still came out in the "light".

Model range of Maz minibuses of the first generation

In early 2010, it was decided to create a minibus, and by December the plans were implemented.

Maz-181 010

The long-wheelbase bus with a high roof was officially presented to the public on December 10, 2010. It is worth recognizing that the designers were able to assemble a worthwhile model with excellent technical characteristics in such a short time – the build quality was at its best, the car moved smoothly, without tears.

But the advantages ended there, because it immediately became clear that it was unlikely that such a "minibus" would be convenient for City flights.

Maz-182 010

The second modification, presented simultaneously with the first, differed only in a shortened base and a low roof. These two features made the model even more uncomfortable than the MAZ-181, so it did not receive recognition at all.

Maz-182 010 "Nika"

After the debut presentation for the next two years, new information about minibuses was not received. It turns out that all this time the designers corrected the mistakes and improved the model according to the wishes of critics. The result of their labors was "Nika". Some negative aspects in it were indeed corrected, but the dimensions of the car remained unchanged, so its distribution did not advance far.

In addition, single models were produced-all-metal vans based on Maz minibuses, as well as ambulances. However, only one car left the walls of the plant-an ambulance was sent to the children's sanatorium "Zubrenok".

A new generation of Maz minibuses

After several failures with minibuses, the project was temporarily frozen, but in 2018 it became known about the resumption of work. This time, the designers took into account the main drawback and took as a basis the representatives of JAC from the Chinese manufacturer. At the moment, the vehicle has not yet been presented, but some of its features are known.:

• Marking Maz-365 and Maz-281;
• The only version of the body in 6 meters;
• 16 seats;
• High roof;
• A Chinese-made diesel engine with a capacity of 149 HP.;
• Five-speed transmission.

But all this is only preliminary information. The exact information will be known only after the presentation of "Mazel".

Where to buy

At the moment, minibuses of the first generation are completely discontinued, so it is impossible to purchase them. Since the new generation has not yet been put on the Assembly Line, cars will also not be able to buy. However, the official dealer of Maz in the Vologda region offers its customers to pre-order a vehicle and become the first owners of the latest technology from the Minsk automobile plant.