GAZ-3105

GAZ-3105 at a glance

The GAZ-3105 was designed to be the top model of a completely new generation of Volga cars, with a modern aerodynamic body and equipment comparable to Western executive saloons of the time. The body was entirely new and shared few internal parts with the GAZ-24-based Volgas, while the B-pillar cross-section and some mechanical parts were taken from the Audi design. The maker's history is told in the history of GAZ, and its models, from the GAZ-21 onwards, are in the GAZ catalogue.

From 1987 prototypes to 55 cars

Development started in the 1980s, and the first prototypes were driving in 1987. The car was intended to replace the GAZ-14 Chaika as the brand's luxury model, but repeated pauses in development caused by the company's economic problems delayed it. Production finally began in 1992 and ended in 1996 after only 55 cars. A second-generation prototype was shown in 1996 but was abandoned in favour of the GAZ-3111 Volga, which also sold in very small numbers.

Wedge-shaped body and glazing

The GAZ-3105 has a wedge-shaped body with steeply raked windows and smooth surfaces, and the old 1cars text gives a drag coefficient of about 0.30. Early prototypes had an unusual second row of small windows below the main side windows, which did not open; the production car switched to conventional wind-down windows. The same source notes that the final design reminded observers of the Audi 100, Opel Senator and Lancia Thema. Some of its styling ideas later appeared on the facelifted GAZ-31029 Volga, the GAZelle van.

Executive cabin and equipment

For a car of its origin, the GAZ-3105 was very well equipped. According to the old 1cars text, it had a steering column adjustable for reach and tilt and electrically adjustable front seats with height adjustment, memory and heating. Automatic climate control, a six-speaker audio system, power steering and a trip computer were also fitted. Rear-seat passengers could adjust the cushion position and backrest angle. A button on the centre console locked the centre differential through a vacuum actuator.

V8 engine and four-wheel drive

According to the old 1cars text, the V8 has aluminium cylinder heads and pistons, a cast-iron block and five main bearings. Each bank has a single chain-driven camshaft with a hydraulic tensioner and hydraulic tappets, and the contactless ignition limits revs to 6,000–6,100 rpm. The gearbox and front axle shared one oil bath with the centre differential, and drive to the front axle passed through a Morse chain, part of the layout derived from the Audi 100/200.

Chassis

The GAZ-3105 uses MacPherson strut suspension with constant-velocity drive shafts front and rear. The old 1cars text describes front suspension with transverse arms mounted on a subframe and anti-roll bars front and rear. Steering is hydraulically assisted, with an energy-absorbing column, and the disc brakes, ventilated at the front, have Bosch ABS and a dual-circuit diagonal system. The same source says it was the first car from its country with airbags.

GAZ-3105 specifications

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths:

• Modern aerodynamic body with a drag coefficient of about 0.30 (old 1cars text).
• V8 engine and four-wheel drive with a lockable centre differential.
• Rich equipment: climate control, electric seats with memory and heating, ABS and airbags.

Weaknesses:

• Extremely small production and limited spare parts today.
• Only a manual gearbox for a car of its class.

Why the GAZ-3105 failed

The car arrived at a time of deep economic change, when demand for an expensive executive saloon was very limited. Development had already been interrupted several times because of GAZ's financial problems. The planned production volume was never reached; the old 1cars text mentions an initial plan of about 250 cars a year. Only 55 were built in total.

The GAZ-3105 among Volgas

The GAZ-3105 was positioned above the Volga saloons based on the GAZ-24, such as the GAZ-3102. Unlike them, it had a completely new body, a V8 engine and, according to the old 1cars text, four-wheel drive.

Rivals: how the GAZ-3105 compared

On paper, the GAZ-3105 was intended to match European executive saloons of the early 1990s such as the Audi 100/200, the Opel Senator and the Lancia Thema. Its strengths were its modern design, four-wheel drive, V8 engine and rich equipment. Its weaknesses were a very small production run, limited parts supply and an uncertain market.