Gazelle and Sobol cars received an improved gearbox.

Nizhny Novgorod Motors plant has carried out a comprehensive modernization of 6-speed gearboxes, which are installed on low-tonnage Sobol NN and Gazelle NN trucks, medium-tonnage Valdai 8 trucks and Citymax 8 buses. This was announced on December 30 in a message from the Modern Transport Technologies company, which was received by Izvestia on December 30.

From April to December, the plant worked to increase transmission life and simplify gear shifting. A more durable primary shaft bearing and pushrods with a modified geometry were introduced into the design, as well as a master bearing with improved selectivity of the gear selection mechanism and an upgraded control mechanism cover were installed. Changing the geometry of a number of parts included in its composition made it possible to reduce switching efforts, the company noted.

The modernization of the 6-speed gearbox has become part of the Gorky Automobile Plant's comprehensive vehicle renewal program in 2025. In particular, an enhanced 5-speed transmission was previously introduced for Gazelle Business and Gazelle Next vehicles with Evotech gasoline and bi-fuel engines. This box is designed for a torque of up to 330 Nm (instead of 250 Nm for the previous box), previously it was installed only on diesel versions of the Gazelle Next.

GAZ is also developing a range of low-tonnage equipment in the direction of increasing active and passive safety. So, in the outgoing year, the ESC directional stability control system, coupled with an anti-slip system, a lift assist system and other electronic assistants, was included in the basic composition of the Sobol NN, Gazelle NN and Gazelle Next vehicles with rear driving wheels. Also, since June, cars have been equipped with airbags: for the NN line, two front airbags have been included in the basic equipment, for the driver and passenger, for the Next, the driver's airbag has become standard, and the passenger airbag is available optionally.

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Earlier, on December 23, it was reported that eight new robotic complexes, involving 55 robots, began operating at the Gorky Automobile Plant in 2025. The total number of industrial robots involved in car production has increased to 630 units, and the level of automation in the upgraded areas has exceeded 85%.

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