The classic frame all-terrain vehicle "Vepr" has been discontinued, according to the Telegram channel "Gruzoviki i voobshche" citing the GAZ dealer website. It is now replaced by a vehicle with a monocoque body based on the "Sadko Next". There is no official confirmation from GAZ yet, but dealers have already started informing customers.
The "Vepr" was produced since 1992 and was developed on the aggregates of the GAZ-66. It had a frame structure and was intended for transporting people and goods in off-road conditions. The vehicle was equipped with a ZMZ engine with 125 hp and a 4-speed gearbox, reached speeds of up to 100 km/h, and could overcome a ford up to 1 meter deep.
The "Vepr" will be replaced by the "Kaban" S41A23 model at dealerships — instead of a frame structure, it received a load-bearing body. The vehicle's payload capacity is 0.8 tons, the wheel formula is 4x4, and the capacity is up to 9 people, including the driver. The power unit includes a YaMZ-534 diesel engine with 149.6 hp and a 5-speed gearbox, with a maximum speed of up to 120 km/h. Production is handled by the Nizhny Novgorod atelier "Avtomaster", which converts serial "Sadko Next" chassis into all-metal cargo-passenger vehicles.
The reason for replacing the "Vepr" with the "Kaban" could be both low demand for the frame all-terrain vehicle and GAZ's desire to switch to a more modern and technologically advanced "Sadko Next" platform. This allows for unifying production with the main truck line and reducing costs for producing a niche model. It is not yet clear whether the "Vepr" will be revived in an updated form or completely give way to a new generation of vehicles.