2,000 kilometers across Russia on highways and forest roads.
Vikas Yadav and Badri Narayan Baldawa, part of a group of Indian tourists, embarked on a winter safari in UAZ SUVs. The route began in Moscow, passed through Vologda, and ended in St. Petersburg.
Tourists from a friendly country traveled over 2,000 kilometers across Russia on highways and forest roads. The guests drove the SUVs themselves and, having experience driving other all-wheel-drive vehicles, proved quite competent, including off-road.
A correspondent from the magazine "Full Drive 4x4" managed to ask the guests a few questions at the airport before their flight home. Of course, PP4x4 was interested in learning about the little-known off-road life in India, asking about their impressions of Russia, and hearing their opinions on the UAZ Patriot.
IT WAS COLD AT FIRST, BUT THEN I EVEN LIKED IT...
BADRI BALDAVA: Of course, there are interesting places in other parts of the world, but they're not as beautiful as those in Russia. I've seen Alaska, Nepal, the Himalayan ranges, I've hiked Mount Everest, I've been to Canada, but what I've seen in Russia is simply fantastic!
INDIA ALSO LOVES SUVs
4x4: What is the most popular SUV in India? What do you use to travel through the jungle?
B.B.: India has many hard-to-reach places, which means SUVs are popular. These are mostly frame vehicles with high ground clearance. Most ordinary motorists drive the practical Mahindra Thar SUV. It's a lightweight frame vehicle with a two-liter diesel engine, all-wheel drive, and a rear differential lock. It climbs high hills and mountains well.
There's a heavier TATA SUV. It's similar to the UAZ. Despite fierce competition from Jaguar and Land Rover, the quality of the Indian TATA has improved significantly, and this car could appeal to Russian drivers as well.
Those who can afford it drive SUVs from BMW, Toyota, or the aforementioned British brands. I, for example, have a BMW X5 and am very happy with it, especially on long trips.
In India, diesel is preferred because it is 20-30% cheaper than gasoline. Most of the country's populated areas are located in a warm climate (except for the Himalayan region), so diesel engines can be used without problems.
4x4: How do you customize SUVs? Do you paint them like trucks, decorate them, or do you just install a winch?
B.B.: Off-road preparation isn't just about dressing up. Our older generation of drivers is quite conservative, but younger drivers understand that lifting a car isn't enough anymore. They know a number of upgrades are needed: installing a winch, replacing shock absorbers, and installing special wheels.
In general, over the past five years, the Indian car fleet has noticeably improved in quality and diversity. Many can now boast the Euro 6, and manufacturers are tasked with producing cars that are the best in the world.
4x4: How popular is off-roading in India? Do you have your own off-road clubs?
Vikas Yadav: Off-road club culture is underdeveloped in India. I drive a lot, but I haven't seen much support for the amateur movement. We have quite a few different off-road associations, and I'm a member of one of them, but I wouldn't see much enthusiasm. There are clubs that organize competitions or off-road driving events, but all of this is just getting started.
4x4: Are there any trophy or trial competitions held in India, or are there any international ones?
Off-road trophy raid competitions in India take place in the Himalayan mountains. The most famous race is the Raid De Himalayas. This cross-country rally has been running for over 20 years and is incredibly popular in India. There are other races in the country, but they are less well-known.
OUR UAZ WAS TAKEN TO PIECES...
4x4: We were a bit familiar with TATA and a couple of other brands, but the cars just didn't catch on. What do you think of the quality of the modern UAZ?
V.Ya.: The Patriot is a pretty good car, trustworthy, but it needs some improvements. We had heavy steering and a heavy brake pedal, and the mirrors quickly got covered in mud. And of course, the manual transmission is already unfamiliar to us. But I thought the seats and visibility were very good.
B.B.: The UAZ has ABS, which is good, but it doesn't grip the road very well, especially when overtaking. We were going a maximum of 100 kilometers per hour, and I was a little scared. During the Delhi-London tour, I was driving my BMW X5 at 180-190 kilometers per hour and didn't feel in danger. I think the Patriot is good as long as you don't drive it too fast. If you sell a car for off-roading, it would be nice to equip it with additional equipment.
4x4: How do you like the Patriot's engine? Is it powerful enough?
V.Ya.: I'm an SUV enthusiast; I have four cars at home, all with diesel engines. It would be better to convert the UAZ Patriot to diesel. A more powerful engine would make the car much better. The all-wheel drive, low range, and rear differential lock worked perfectly. I really liked the UAZ Patriot's off-road capabilities. The ground clearance is sufficient, and the reason I got stuck was most likely my limited experience driving in snow.
4x4: Do you think the UAZ Patriot will catch on in India?
B.B.: We've already expressed our wishes. To summarize, to become popular in the Indian market, the UAZ needs to be more ergonomic; right now, it's too utilitarian and simple, and its interior also needs an upgrade. Overall, the UAZ has enormous potential, and it could very well become popular!
4x4: And finally, identify what you view as the three primary advantages and three main disadvantages of the UAZ.
V.Ya.: The UAZ has three main advantages: comfortable seating, off-road capability, and ease of maintenance. Three disadvantages: no automatic transmission, low engine power, and weak steering hydraulics.
