When we think of automakers, big guns in the industry like VW Group, General Motors, and Toyota come to mind. Even smaller mainstreamers like Mazda get a nod. But there are even more automakers out there that don’t draw attention like a mid-engine Chevy Corvette. Take UAZ, a Russian automaker doing its own, bare-bones thing. The automaker is expanding its lineup with the UAZ Hunter Expedition, a beefier version of the SUV.
The UAZ Hunter Expedition features a 2.6-liter, four-cylinder engine pumping out just 128 horsepower (95 kilowatts) and 150 pound-feet (203 Newton-meters) of torque. Power routes through a five-speed gearbox and locking rear differential. The power bumper allows for a jack and winch. There are tow hooks, too, just in case things get squirrely in the Russian expanse. BFGoodrich T/A tires, wrapped around black steel wheels, provide grip with the option for bigger tires and wheels. It has nearly 9.5 inches (241 millimeters) of ground clearance.
UAZ Is Retro-Looking Cool:
While UAZ is known for its bare-bones aesthetic, the Hunter Expedition isn’t completely featureless, though. It has heated front seats – a necessity in frigid Siberia – that are covered in water-repellent fabric with white stitching. One unique feature is at the rear. Unlike traditional SUVs that have a hatch, the Hunter Expedition features a tailgate that folds down, adding some welcomed cargo flexibility.
Gallery: UAZ Hunter Expedition
If you live in the U.S., you should put the UAZ on the Forbidden Fruit shelf next to the Suzuki Jimny. We won’t see its retro-SUV looks on American roads anytime soon. The Hunter Expedition joins another UAZ model we can’t get here – the SGR Expedition. It’s a van version of the Expedition, and the two share a lot of similarities – roof rack, winch, upgraded bumpers, and more. But it’s staying overseas for now, too.