PAZ-3203

1971

The development of the bus began as a tourist back in 1971 on the basis of the PAZ-3202 T bus, the experimental model had the official name EC-113 ^[1] . But the developed model did not pass the tests conducted in NAMI in 1972.

1972-1977

Later it was decided to create a whole family of buses from 11 modifications instead of PAZ-672 (including: PAZ-32032 - single-door general purpose; PAZ-32034 - mountain; PAZ-320301 - northern; PAZ-320307 - southern; walking and sightseeing without side glazing; self-propelled bus chassis; two-door tourist-intercity with an elongated base of medium dimension). The basic model for the newly created family was the unified PAZ-3203 bus, which was already created based on the experience of creating the PAZ-665 , which is characterized by an externally increased window area and rectangular body features. So in 1972 - 1977 prototypes were created ^[2] :

• PAZ-3203 (EC-118, EC-120. 1972, 1973, 1977) - a small city bus;
• PAZ-32031 (1977) - suburban bus;
• PAZ-3204 (EC-121. 1973) - all - wheel drive (4 × 4) local bus;
• PAZ-32033 (EC-133. 1974) is a tourist bus of a small dimension of increased comfort.

Engines for the series were planned V-shaped carburetor 8-cylinder 5.5-liter ZMZ-3203 issuing 140-145 liters. with. at 3200 rpm , produced by the Zavolzhsky Motor Plant (a derated version of the ZMZ-41 engine for the BRDM-2 ). The gearbox was provided for 5-speed from the ZIL-130 . Production ZIL were bridges , driveline , power steering gear. Were applied clutch servo , rocker drive gearbox. In the rear axle suspension, the cushion springs were replaced with corrective springs, and the springs themselves were also upgraded. The working brake system provided for a more effective pneumohydraulic, with separate drive to the front and rear wheels with a regulator of braking forces and an alarm signaling the failure of the drive part. Also included were: a spare brake system, an electrodynamic retarder , a parking brake . The cabin was separated from the driver’s seat by a deaf partition, the roof hatches were enlarged with the possibility of an emergency tilting.

The basic model PAZ-3203 (urban) had 19 seats, the nominal passenger capacity was 48 people, the maximum - 65 people. Dimensions: 7000 x 2500 x 2920 mm.

The basic urban version of the bus in 1974 successfully passed the tests of Minavtoproma in various climatic conditions. In 1975-1978 The preparation of the plant’s conveyor for serial production of the model has begun ^{[2] [3]} . The start of production was scheduled for 1979, which is reflected in industry standards (under No. 45 1734 2111). But, by the decision of Minavtoproma on April 11, 1978, work on the PAZ-3203 family was stopped. Officially, this was justified by the impossibility of supplying factories with spare parts in sufficient quantities and it was recommended to redo the bus using components of the Gorky Automobile Plant .

Over the years of development and preparation for serial production, 8 buses of the series have been manufactured, 5 of them in the base version PAZ-3203. PAZ-3203 and PAZ-3204 in 1974 were presented at the exhibition ENEA . Developments to create a bus PAZ-3203 sample 1973-1977. were used in the creation of the PAZ-3205 bus ^[4] , originally essentially representing a simplified version of the PAZ-3203 (building and salon from 3203 with mechanics from 672).

2000s

In the early 2000s, the PAZ-3202, PAZ-3203, PAZ-3204 indices were assigned to small city buses being developed, which began to be mass-produced ^{[2] [5] [6]} .

Moreover, PAZ-3203, PAZ-320302, PAZ-320302-08, PAZ-320302-11, PAZ-320370-08 buses are often presented as a model range or even modifications of the PAZ-3204 bus (sample of the 2000s), which in its the queue is the successor of the PAZ-3205 ^{[2] [7] [8]} .

In the basic version, the PAZ-3203 is equipped with a carburetor 4.67-liter gasoline V-twin 8-cylinder engine ZMZ-5234 with a capacity of 125 liters. with. at 3200 rpm and a 4-speed gearbox GAZ-3307. Seats 27, total passenger capacity - 37 people. Dimensions: 6960 x 2410 x 2880 mm. Positioned as a city bus and suburban bus.

According to the data of 2016, PAZ-3203 took the 5th place on the results of sales of new buses in the Russian market. 579 units were sold, which in turn is less by 4% of the sold quantity of this model in 2015.

• PAZ-3203 in 2016 entered the top ten best-selling new buses on the Russian market: 579 units, which amounted to 5th place . Article A. Alesin "Buses" take in tow "trucks" in the number 2 (212) from 2017 of the magazine "Director"
• Small class bus PAZ-3203 with one passenger door . Article R.K. Moskvin, S.V. Kozyr "Buses PAZ new generation" in number 9 of 2006 of the magazine "Automotive"
• Velikanov D. P., Sorokin B. D. Problems of automobilization / New in life, science, technology: Transport Series // M .: Znanie. - 1976. 64 p. UDC: 629.113. P. 35

• Since 2014, production of PAZ-3203 on natural gas has begun. Article by S. Pavlov from 07.18.2013 "PAZ began mass production of buses on methane" on the website of the newspaper "Moskovsky Komsomolets"
• Manuals for buses PAZ-3203 and modifications on the site of Pavlovsky Bus Plant