Russian Analysts Predict Imminent Sales Growth UAZ cars. In their opinion, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant will soon repeat the success achieved in 2014-2015. At that time, the company also increased sales volumes, which was largely due to the withdrawal of most competitors from the Russian market. A similar situation is developing in 2022. However, the current crisis is slightly different from the previous one.
The fact is that following the collapse of the ruble in 2014, in fact, all direct competitors of UAZ products left the Russian market. But now Chinese companies are not going to leave our country. On the contrary, they plan to take advantage of the circumstances. In this regard, UAZ can achieve only short-term sales growth. And if the company intends to maintain its presence in the market, it needs to start working on new cars now, using suddenly increased revenues.
At the same time, the amount of additional income will be relatively small. That is, UAZ will receive money that will not be enough for a full-fledged and large-scale modernization of the model range. In this regard, the approach that many manufacturers use when restyling their products becomes relevant. The UAZ company can update its models by carrying out cosmetic repairs.
The domestic designer showed how the product line of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant will be updated. He published a series of renders depicting the new UAZ-469 Hunter 2022-2023, which survived restyling. The presented sketches show a car that is in many ways similar to its predecessor. But a detailed examination shows that this Hunter is very different from the current SUV. Moreover, judging by the renders, the developer increased its dimensions. As a result, this led to an expansion of the luggage compartment, which potentially gives UAZ the opportunity to create a 7-seat version of the Hunter.
At the same time, one should not expect that the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant will modernize the technical part of the SUV in the near future. Although the events that will take place within a few months may still lead to some changes. Sollers, which owns UAZ, should soon launch production of 2.2-liter turbodiesel engines Ford, which, in turn, may appear in Hunter. This decision will expand the list of SUV modifications, making it more attractive.
Design
An important feature of the presented UAZ-469 Hunter 2022-2023 is that its body panels have not changed much. Thanks to this, UAZ will not have to upgrade the production line on which the SUV is assembled. As a result, reducing the amount of investment in the development of a new SUV will reduce its cost and, as a result, minimize the likelihood of a sharp rise in Hunter’s price. Taking into account the fact that the current version of the car is sold largely due to the affordable price, this circumstance plays an important role for UAZ when choosing options for modernization.
The presented Hunter differs from its predecessor in the littered A-pillars: they are located at a more pronounced angle, which visually lengthens the front of the body. At the same time, this decision made it possible to increase the area of the windshield.
The new Hunter borrowed from its predecessor the hood rounded on the sides. But the presented model has a cutout in its center, covered with a fine mesh. This decision probably plays a decorative role. Hunter’s power following the upgrade will not increase so much that it becomes necessary to introduce additional ventilation holes.
Round head optics have passed from the predecessor to the novelty. But the designer changed its pattern by embedding an LED strip that makes up the perimeter of the headlights. In the center there are 3 round lights, one of which, most likely, serves as a direction indicator. From the head optics along the wheel fender there is a metal insert, which is designed only to decorate the car body.
Domestic designer removed the outdated grille. Instead, he placed a large black insert in front. In its center, a niche is provided for a trapezoidal radiator grille with a fine mesh. The front bumper of the new Hunter has grown significantly in size. A metal protective plate is now attached to the bottom of it. Despite the increase in the dimensions of the bumper, Hunter’s patency was not affected. In particular, the angle of entry should remain the same.
Also, the designer did not make large-scale changes to the side of the body. In fact, all the improvements that have affected the doors and wheel wings are subtle. At the same time, the UAZ-469 Hunter 2022-2023 received new rims, “shod” in wide all-terrain tires.
Changes in the stern are also subtle. There is a new optics with LED strips that make up its perimeter. The developer also installed a wide plastic bumper, over which a full-size spare tire still hangs.
About what changes have occurred in the cabin, it is not known. But the presence of more comfortable seats indicates that, according to the developer’s idea, UAZ should carry out a large-scale modernization inside. At the very least, engineers need to hide all the wires.
Specifications
As it was indirectly noted above, the UAZ company, when preparing a new Hunter, will not upgrade its platform or design. Also, the SUV should retain the previous 5-speed “mechanics”, all-wheel drive and a 2.7-liter “aspirated”. However, it cannot be ruled out that UAZ will not replace the standard unit with a more powerful one, which is installed on Patriots. Its maximum output reaches 150 hp.
In addition, it is possible that a 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine will appear on the UAZ-469 Hunter 2022-2023. This unit was predicted by the mentioned Patriot. But the UAZ company can expand the scope of its application. The maximum power of this turbodiesel, depending on the version, is 85-130 hp. with a traction moment of 250-310 N * m.
Start of sales
The UAZ company has not recently made any statements (even hints) regarding a possible update of both the model range and a separate car. In this regard, it is likely that the restyled Hunter will not enter the market in the near future. But it is impossible to exclude the presented option for the development of an SUV, taking into account the fact that such modernization will not require large investments.
