Sagdiyev Mechanical Industry

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SAGDIYEV MECHANICAL INDUSTRY

Founded 1919, Yerevan, Armenia. The most sold Sagdiyev car ever was the mk2 2 series, also known as "222", with over 10 million units sold, mostly in Russia and other eastern European countries as well as some exports. The car was a durable family car built using a simple monocoque chassis with a McPherson front suspension and a coil axle at the rear.

This post will showcase the 1st iteration of this legendary car. Introduced in 1979, the only body style avaliable was a 4 door saloon. The car came in multiple trims and special editions.

1160 and 1400 BASE.

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The 1160 was the most basic model of this car, featuring a basic interior and AM radio along with a 1160cc i4 engine producing around 46hp going through a 4 speed manual. The 1400 included the same equipment however a 1400cc i4 producing 58hp was included. The car also featured slightly wider tyres and more powerful brakes to keep up with the power increase.

SPECIAL and SUPER SPECIAL

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These 2 models were very hard to come by for most people, especially so the SUPER SPECIAL which was often only given to high ranking government employees. Both featured a twin carburettor on the 1400cc engine which upped the power to 67hp, and a longer final drive increased efficiency and high speed performance. The cheap vinyl interior was replaced with a brown cloth interior in the Special and a red velour interior in the Super Special, which also came with an 8 track player. The exteriors were upgraded with a front lip and marker lights, as well as a chrome grille, alloy wheels and vinyl roof for the Super Special.

EXTRA SECRET SPECIAL MODELS

Winter pack and heavy Duty.

The winter pack was built to be sold in areas with a very rough and snowy winter and replaced the Special model in those areas. It featured winter tyres, lifted springs, extra yellow tinted auxiliary lights, a yellow tinted cover on the headlights along with headlight wipers, a block heater, mudflaps and a hard wearing vinyl interior. It was only available in 1 colour, bright red, as it was the most visible in the snow. The heavy duty model was a slightly changed version of the standard 1400, which added stiffer springs, heavier duty interior and bumper protectors. This was popular due to its low price compared to other models making it a good choice for taxi or police use.

[abg7]

So what happens to the company in the post-communist era? Will they move on from the 200 series right away, or keep it in production well into the 21st century?

[missionsystem]

The 222 will stay in production until the early 2000s, ill post the new facelifts here when they are made

[AMuteCrypt]

The Zastava 101 (also known as the Zastava Skala, Yugo Skala, Yugo 1.1 and other names) first rolled off the assembly line in 1971. It lasted until Zastava itself stopped making cars under its own name in 2008, when everything went pear-shaped. The same was true with the Zastava Yugo (aka the Yugo, or the Yugo Koral) lasted from 1980 to 2008.

The early-80s Lada Samara and Zgiguli/Riva/Nova were similarly long-lived despite Lada bringing out new models in the 90s and 00s.

It’s not unusual to stick with a proven design like that.

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222 1985 REFRESH

In 1985, the whole range of the 222 was refreshed. This included a visual facelift, mechanical improvements and a new bodystyle, as well as modernisation of the trims. Also, the 1160cc engine was dropped due to low performance and the 1.4 remained as the only available engine.

1.4 Base and 1.4 Base Kombi.

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The new 1.4 base trim was a step above its previous counterpart. It featured a better carburetor and slightly tuned engine to increase economy and power up to 65hp. It also featured an 8 track player, new protective side trim and a roof mounted rear view mirror to improve visibility. Also, the newly revealed Kombi model was a success, providing a splitting tailgate for more practicality and easier loading.

1.4 GL and 1.4 GL Kombi

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The new GL trims were a slight upgrade over the base models. They included some exterior accessories such as chrome side trim and front foglights, as well as a budget friendly cloth interior instead of the vinyl. It also used different hubcaps. Powertrain wise, it was the same as the base models. The GL Kombi was the highest available specification of Kombi.

Injection LX and Injection Sport

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The 2 Injection models were the 1st appearance of EFI in the 222. They used the same 1.4 engine, however it was now fitted with single point injection. Although the power increase was small, up to 67 from 65, reliability and efficiency were significantly improved, making these rare models very desirable. Under the skin they are identical, however the sport model featured a sunroof and red side trim, this was the first model of the 222 with even a hint of sportiness.

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222 1991 REFRESH

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Sagdiyev had a challenge on their hands. They needed to stay relevant in their home countries, which now had a more competitive car market, while also increasing imports. The 1991 Facelift attempted to “Westernify” the now aging 222, and it succeeded massively becoming the best selling version. Although the kombi was dropped, new standard equipment such as an all new engine, catalytic converters, EFI in every model and 5 speed manuals in every model made it a well equipped and seriously cheap family car at the time despite its old underpinnings, and it also excelled in fleet sales being one of the most popular taxi cars in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, and selling over a million in Russia alone.

1.3 Base and 1.3 GLi

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The entry level 3rd facelift 222 was the most popular trim. Although it carried a low price tag, the all-new 1.3l SOHC 12v i4, a smaller version of the 1.6, provided incredible efficiency and reliability allowing the car to return over 40mpg. The old 1400cc was simply too old to pass new emissions standards and would not cut it in most export markets. Inside, it featured a cassette player and vinyl seats. The GLi was a small step up, adding cloth interior and some chrome side trim. Both models used the 67hp 1.3l engine and a 5 speed manual.

1.6 Sport and 1.6 Silvercrest

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These 2 models were the top of the line 2 series of the time, and sold in tiny numbers while the Base and GLi did the heavy lifting, however they were certainly not unpopular in some markets. Both featured a 1.6l engine, a bored out version of the 1.3, producing a respectable 82hp. They both featured a 5 speed manual and comfortable cloth interior. On the exterior they received body coloured bumpers and other sporty touches. However, the suspension was the main selling point, being stiffer than standard and increasing performance drastically and making them the 1st “Hot” 2 series ever sold. The Silvercrest model was simply an “upmarket” version of the sport, only available in silver, with a premium Aftermarket cassette player, sunroof and aero bodykit with 3 spoke alloy wheels.