Why do we need NAMI?

NAMI's booth at Innoprom in Yekaterinburg. Photo by NAMI

The Kremlin Court Atelier

At the Innoprom exhibition in Yekaterinburg, NAMI unveiled two new powertrains. The first was a turbocharged four-cylinder NAMI-414320 producing 299 hp. A knowledgeable reader will likely recognize this engine as half of the already famous 4.4-liter V8 engine from the executive Aurus. NAMI simply sliced ​​the engine lengthwise and created a smaller version with exactly half the power of the presidential limousine's V8. This is a simplification, of course, but it doesn't fundamentally change the essence of the matter. The following comment appears on the NAMI website:

The NAMI-414320 cylinder block cooling jacket is closed to ensure maximum block rigidity and improved gas sealing. The engine on display features multipoint injection, but the engine's design allows for multipoint, direct, or combined injection, allowing the NAMI-414320 to be customized to meet the specific needs of various customers.

NAMI-414320. Source: nami.ru

The second engine, following tradition, bears a larger-than-life name—the NAMI-4123-300 SU—and is designed for ships, such as pleasure boats. The developers also claim the power unit can be installed on small vessels operated by the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Coast Guard. It's a V8 engine, with its power reduced to 300 hp (with the ability to be increased) and an additional cooling circuit added. Otherwise, it's the same engine as the presidential motorcade limousine. These events don't seem out of the ordinary, but that's only at first glance.

NAMI-4123-300 SU

Let's start with the questions. Who needs a 300-horsepower engine under the hood of a car these days? The NAMI-414320 risks becoming a showpiece, as there's no real demand for it in Russia, and none is expected. It's a very expensive engine (adapted for a hybrid transmission), and neither AvtoVAZ, GAZ, nor UAZ need it. Localized passenger cars like HAVAL or Tenet don't need it either—the Chinese have their own, very wide range of powertrains. As for trucks, they require different equipment, designed from the ground up for harsh operating conditions. A marine engine has a better outlook:

The engine is designed to eliminate the industry's dependence on imports—Russia currently has no domestic engines for vessels in this segment.

This is how the developers comment on the new product. It's only with a fair degree of conventionality that the marine engine project can be called promising. In any case, these are NAMI's first engine-building products since the Aurus project was launched. Incidentally, it's already eight years old. These domestically produced luxury automobiles were intended to be the forerunners of an entire family within the Unified Modular Platform, but so far, only the Aurus sedan/limousine and the Komendant crossover are in nominal serial production. These products cost tens of millions of rubles and have very limited market prospects. All of this suggests that NAMI has become the Kremlin's court car studio. This is not a bad thing, but in the past, the institution's engineering potential was utilized much more widely.

What NAMI has been doing and is doing

The Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engine Institute "NAMI" was founded in 1918 and during its history He accomplished many great things. His track record includes the NAMI-020, which became the prototype for the Ural-375; the NAMI-032G, which became the LuAZ-967 front-line transporter; the KrAZ-250, built jointly with Baumanka and the Kremenchug Automobile Plant; and the NAMI-0219 and -0266, which served as the basis for the Oka in Tolyatti.

NAMI-020

NAMI designers also set the tone in engine manufacturing – the NAMI-019 served as the basis for serial Yaroslavl diesel engines. In the 30s, work was underway on 30 different models of automotive and tractor diesel engines. And during the post-war period of large-scale dieselization of transport, NAMI created prototypes for all the country's major automobile manufacturers – GAZ, ZIL, Ural, and ZAZ. The situation is somewhat different now. The institution is engaged in equipment testing, regulation and standardization, as well as scientific and educational activities. The development and creation of automotive equipment has not been forgotten either. The Aurus was and is undoubtedly the largest project, but even without it, there were concerns. However, those concerns are long gone. The topic of "Research on the development of diesel engines with a capacity of up to 1000 hp" was completed in 2012. I would like to see this project come to fruition. Two years earlier, NAMI design engineers were modernizing the DP-45 engine from the Dagdizel plant. Their current work includes the development of the world's most powerful hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the NAMI HYDROGEN, based on the same Aurus.

Source: https://hydrogen.nami.ru/

A much-needed project for modern Russian industry, there's no denying it. The AURUS Merlon electric motorcycle, which was received with a cautious reception at the Special Purpose Garage, is also in this vein. The presidential motorcade's electrification didn't sit well with the State Automotive Inspectorate, and the vehicle had to be converted to a gasoline-powered version. As a result, for the past decade (and more), NAMI, once the country's leading automotive institute, has been busy staffing the Special Purpose Garage. And even then, with varying success.

What needs are there in the Russian automotive sector, in the broadest sense of the word? And what has NAMI done to promote import substitution and strengthen technological sovereignty? Let's start with AvtoVAZ, which is currently unable to produce cars without its Chinese partners. Or rather, it can, but no one will want them. Here's a partial list of what could be a good idea to replace with domestic equivalents: the CVT and 6-speed manual transmission from Wanliyang, ABS and ESP electronic control units, steering components, LCD screens for instrument clusters, climate control and air conditioning components, engine control units, and much more. Particularly curious on this list is the archaic 6-speed transmission, which turned out to be easier to order from China than to develop domestically.

In the coming months, Togliatti-made Lada Azimut crossovers will hit the scene, but they won't have all-wheel drive. Why? Because the standard Niva Legend transmission won't work due to its archaic nature, and components for a modern transmission simply aren't available in Russia. You can count on your fingers the number of companies worldwide that produce similar equipment on an industrial scale: GKN, Viscodrive, BorgWarner, and Aisin. None of these companies, of course, will sell anything to Russia. Isn't this a promising research topic for NAMI? It's time to abandon the hydrogen project, which has completely unclear prospects, and get down to earth and address pressing issues.

Source: nami.ru

If NAMI had brought a prototype viscous coupling for AvtoVAZ to Innoprom, the automotive community would have been thrilled for months. Another gap is turbocharged passenger car engines. The Chinese, albeit reluctantly, have accustomed Russians to small-displacement turbocharged engines. Performance is above average, fuel consumption is acceptable, and the lifespan is not short. A typical Chinese car that appeals to Russians is an all-wheel-drive crossover with a 140-160 hp turbocharged engine.

AvtoVAZ is currently attempting to enter this market niche with the Azimuth model, but it lacks all-wheel drive and an engine of adequate power. The Togliatti company's only option is to purchase a license from China, establish production, and install it under the hood of the Azimuth. They are unable to develop it themselves quickly and affordably, while NAMI is working on units with outputs of 300 hp and higher.

According to open sources, since 2022, NAMI, other than improving the Aurus platform, has done nothing to promote import substitution in the domestic auto industry. Even though the need for this is sometimes critical, it seems the time has come to find a new name for the institute.

Comments

[Nyrobsky]

The auto industry has never been Russia's strong suit, neither during the Soviet era nor now, but at least back then there was state interest, a defined goal, and funding. Now, it's pure enthusiasm combined with a desire to steal. As DAM used to say, "Why should we open a new production facility if we can buy everything we need abroad?!" (Not verbatim, but more or less). So now we're buying, and essentially financing, Chinese production.

[AllX_VahhaB]

Quote: Nyrobsky

The auto industry has never been Russia's strong point, not even during the Soviet era.

Well, it depends on how you look at it. There were some highlights... For example, when the Moskvich-412 went into production, it was a pretty decent car by European standards, even competing quite successfully in international rallies in the late 60s. When AvtoVAZ built the Kopeyka, it was also quite impressive. Same with the Kamaz. And the "eight," whose engine and bodywork Porsche helped develop, looked quite respectable among Golfs, Kadetts, and Escorts...
The problem with the domestic auto industry was different: after launching a modern, competitive model, often with foreign participation or completely copying it, everything stalled! Then they continued producing it and its slightly modified clones until the very end! No development! All the money and brains flowed into the military-industrial complex. And people would buy cars anyway, any kind, one by one... But in modern Russia, they don't even bother with such complex production; at most, they just slap badges on other people's models. Because... you quoted DAM above.

[Bad_gr]

Quote from: AllX_VahhaB

There were moments...

GAZ-21 "Volga"

__DebutAt the exhibition in Brussels in 1958, the Soviet auto industry presented the GAZ-21 Volga.
__World RecognitionAccording to Soviet and international advertising brochures, the model was awarded the highest prize – the Grand Prix.
__HypeThe design of the Soviet sedan (considered the standard of the "Detroit Baroque" era in the USSR) received high praise from the European public and press for its modern silhouette and comfort.
__ScaleSubsequently, the Volga was exported to more than 75 countries, becoming a symbol of the Soviet automobile industry abroad.

[Gennady_but_not_a_crocodile]

The problem with the domestic auto industry, like the aviation industry and many other industries, is that in the 90s, technology transcended national borders and became profitable only in the general market. A modern car is a construction kit that can be used to build anything from a miniature city car like a Volkswagen to a crossover with decent off-road capability. This construction kit is called a "base." Global automakers spend decades developing these "bases" and billions of dollars. A design error in a "base" can lead to bankruptcy of the entire company, and a "base" is only profitable in the general market and in the dozens of brands built on this "base" by a single manufacturer.
The last domestic "base" was the Kalina from 2004; after that, AvtoVAZ relied on French "bases." In short, developing a "base" for a market of 140 million people is unprofitable. And other markets won't let us (like China), or we've fallen out ourselves (it's funny to say, but the Kalina was once the third-largest foreign car in Germany in sales).
We, AvtoVAZ, are in the agony of a dying company incapable of competing at the modern level.

[olboop]

The problem of the domestic auto industry, like the aviation industry, like many other industries, is that in the 90s, technologies overcame national borders and became profitable only on the general market.

Right on target. Being virtually isolated from the global technology and sales market, it's impossible to be self-sufficient and successful in all industries.

[Nyrobsky]

Quote from: AllX_VahhaB

Well, it depends on how you look at it. There were some highlights... For example, when the Moskvich-412 went into production, it was a pretty decent car by European standards, even competing quite successfully in international rallies in the late 60s. When AvtoVAZ built the Kopeyka, it was also quite impressive. Same with the Kamaz. And the "eight," whose engine and bodywork Porsche helped develop, looked quite respectable among Golfs, Kadetts, and Escorts...

Well, I'm not saying it was all bad. There were breakthroughs and some pretty impressive technical solutions, I'm not denying that.

Quote from: AllX_VahhaB

The problem with the domestic auto industry was different: after launching a modern, competitive model, often with foreign participation or as a complete copy, everything stalled! Then they continued producing it and its slightly modified clones until the very end! No progress!

This is the weakness I mentioned, but you've formulated it in more detail and simply, once again, confirmed what I wrote above. It's not my fault.

[hagen]

Quote: Nyrobsky

As DAM used to say, "Why should we open a new production facility if we can buy everything we need abroad?!" (not verbatim, but something like that)

Are you confusing DAM with Gaidar and Chubais? That was actually their main idea in the 1990s. Or should DAM be made the "scapegoat" today, as Vladimir Vysotsky used to say?

[Nyrobsky]

Quote: Hagen

Quote: Nyrobsky

As DAM used to say, "Why should we open a new production facility if we can buy everything we need abroad?!" (not verbatim, but something like that)

Are you confusing DAM with Gaidar and Chubais? Actually, that was their main idea in the 1990s.

No, I haven't confused him. The fact that these words belong to him is just as certain as his phrase about "His words will be cast in granite."
Chubais and Gaidar began their destructive mission to destroy Russian industry in order to free up the market for Western goods, motivating this process by the fact that “Every closed plant is a nail in the coffin of communism” (A. Chubais).
DAM made his statement much later, when Russia joined the WTO, since the West relegated it to the role of a raw materials supplier and did not view it as a territory with high-tech production with high added value, in order to avoid competition and restrain economic development.

Quote: Hagen

Or is it fundamentally necessary to make DAM the "scapegoat" today, as V. Vysotsky used to say?

No, it's not important. It's just that "what's written with a pen can't be cut out with an axe," and there's no arguing against it. If you want, you can easily find a video of DAM saying (or uttering) that phrase online. The minus isn't mine.

[hagen]

Quote: Nyrobsky

If you want, you can easily find this video online where DAM says (or utters) this phrase. The minus isn't mine.

I don't care about the downsides. I'm not a candidate for parliament. But I'd like to ask for your help regarding Medvedev's phrase. My search keeps leading me to Gaidar. Alice, when analyzing open sources, returns something like, "Medvedev's actual speeches: his speeches did indeed include discussions about the rationality of imports and specialization, but not in the form of this specific catchy phrase..." or, "The phrase 'Why should we open a new production facility if we can buy everything we need abroad?' is often attributed to Dmitry Medvedev, but there is no reliable confirmation that he uttered it in this exact form."

[Nyrobsky]

Quote: Hagen

I don't give a damn about the downsides. I'm not a candidate for parliament.

Well, okay.

Quote: Hagen

I'd like to ask for your help regarding Medvedev's phrase. My search keeps leading me to Gaidar. Alice, when analyzing open sources, returns something like, "Medvedev's actual speeches: his speeches did indeed include discussions about the rationality of imports and specialization, but not in the form of this specific catchy phrase..." or, "The phrase 'Why should we open a new production facility if we can buy everything we need abroad?' is often attributed to Dmitry Medvedev, but there is no reliable confirmation that he uttered it in this exact form."

It's strange. I did some digging, but YouTube is unavailable, and my search on RuTube doesn't return anything similar, even though I personally saw that part of the interview where DAM said something similar. There's only a link to where people are discussing the phrase, which kind of indirectly confirms that it did happen. And while I was searching, I came across the fact that DAM, in addition to "we'll buy everything we need abroad," was also open to purchasing Western-style weapons, something I hadn't known before. It's good they haven't abandoned their military-industrial complex.
Here -
https://otvet.mail.ru/question/173006628
https://inosmi.ru/20110713/171959381.html?ysclid=mrf3x9d9r2926418771

[hagen]

Quote: Nyrobsky

Besides "we'll buy everything we need abroad," DAM was also not against purchasing Western-style weapons.

From the source you cited, in addition to your complaint, I read: "'You should acquire only high-quality equipment, and at transparent prices, not at prices favored by individual companies,' Medvedev stated." A very sound idea. After all, even the Mistral was purchased not for the navy's actual need for the ship, but for the acquisition of technology, as a rebuke to our shipbuilding industry, and for political rapprochement. Understandably, given what we've experienced, we now view these attempts at cooperation with the West with skepticism. But that was 2011. There were hopes. And the blatant rip-off of the Francs simply infuriated Medvedev. And perhaps this is the most positive moment in our history and a catastrophic failure of Western politics. After all, political virtuosos have always been considered those who can turn an enemy into a friend, while losers are those who create mortal enemies out of thin air. I'd like to point out that the memes discussed online often don't go viral on their own, but are rather generated by certain authorities with the intent of sowing dislike among readers. After all, if stars are lit, it means someone wants it... Look at the underlying connotations of the topics discussed on the VO forum threads. Don't you get the feeling that these sentiments resonate with the wishes of our "probable" (as they were called back then) enemy? Any government-level initiative is portrayed only in a negative light. I believe the enemy is well-entrenched here. That's my personal opinion. What do you think? I'm just curious...

[Nyrobsky]

Quote: Hagen

I'd like to point out that the memes discussed online often don't go viral on their own, but are instead generated by some interested party to sow dislike in readers for the character being discussed.

This isn't mine. If I express an opinion, you can be assured that it's mine and not intended to serve anyone's interests. If I believe that DAM doesn't belong in the category of statist politicians, that's what it means, and I truly believe so, but I'm not forcing it on anyone. You may agree or disagree, and that's your right.

Quote: Hagen

Look at the underlying connotations of the topics discussed on the VO forum threads. Don't you get the feeling that these sentiments resonate with the wishes of our "probable" (as they were called back then) adversary? Any government-level initiative is cast in a negative light. I believe the enemy has dug in deep here. That's my personal opinion. What do you think? I'm just curious...

I share your point of view. I also note that there are a number of individuals who are deliberately working toward one goal, namely, undermining trust in the government. But that doesn't mean everyone should unconditionally support the government in all its forms, regardless of whether they are aligned with the statists or the pro-Westerners, of whom there are quite a few in our government.

[AllX_VahhaB]

Well, the adherents of "Russia which we lost" talk passionately about the great automobile industry of the Russian Empire, citing Russo-Balt as an example... Now that's from the same opera...

[Smoked]

Mmm, Russo-Balt, the dawn of automobiles. How romantic! Maybe this is where we're at with romanticism and pioneering.

[Sensor]

A team of state-subordinated designers is working on what was ordered and funded. In fact, luxury cars are currently the most in-demand. The silver lining is that there are still some remaining remnants of the industry that are creating something, rather than buying and selling.

[mc1aren]

Small-displacement turbocharged engines were always widely used here before the Chinese ones - 1,4 from Volkswagen, 1,4 from GM in Opels, 1,3 (with variations) in Renaults and Mercedes...

[Vadim S]

I've been driving a 1.3 Renault for six years now. Incidentally, the engine is made in Spain. It uses very little fuel 👍

[Aken]

If it's not a secret, how much?

[Vadim S]

I have 190 km to my dacha, and it uses 12-13 liters, or 14 if I push it harder. Before, I had a 2-liter Sportage, and it took 20-21 liters for the same trip. A friend of mine had an Atlas 2.4, and we drove together, and it took 26 liters. Turbocharged engines use less fuel than naturally aspirated ones.

[Aken]

I see. The Hyundai 1,6 has the same fuel consumption. I don't really drive it that fast, though. It's in fuel-efficient mode. And now I'll be especially careful.
Thanks for the information. It was interesting to compare.

[vfwfr]

The smaller the volume, the less fuel it consumes)

[Soldatov V.]

The forces acting on a car engine and a marine engine operate in opposite directions. Car engines can be installed on boats, but to prevent them from failing quickly, their power is reduced by at least 25%. While car engines only have support bearings on the crankshaft, marine engines use thrust bearings. Marine engine designers are well aware of this.

[Adrey]

Quote: V.

Car engines can be installed on boats, but to prevent them from failing quickly, their power is reduced by at least 25%.

I'll throw in my 5 cents.

The marine engine has better prospects

Most likely, none at all. For as long as I can remember, boats with automobile engines have been a constant pain for their owners. They all ended the same way: the engine was thrown out and a proper Japanese-American outboard engine of suitable power was installed. This is all due to operating conditions. A boat engine, like an aircraft engine (hello from the VMV TK, which was equipped with aircraft engines), mostly operates at close to maximum RPM and is specifically designed for this. A new automobile engine on a boat operated under these conditions for a maximum of two seasons, after which it fell apart.

[Gardamir]

The Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engine Institute "NAMI" was founded in 1918

The country recently experienced a revolution. The civil war continues, and instead of sawing, the Bolsheviks are creating institutions.

[Samoyed]

And they are even taking aim at GOELRO, with an eye on decades.

[Comrade Kim]

The grandson of Srul Mosheevich Blank, Ulyanov (Blank), nicknamed Lenin, stole the electrification plan from the government of Nicholas II.
To implement this plan, an institute was created in the Russian Empire, in St. Petersburg.
Electrical equipment was purchased from Siemens. History teachers, it would be advisable to remove the propaganda nonsense of the Judeo-Bolsheviks from their feeble ears.
Before 1917, the share of religious literature amounted to 0,6% of the books published in the Russian Empire.
Some of Ulyanov-Blank's first decrees permitted pederasty and sodomy, as well as the execution of anyone who offended a Jew.
Live now with this.

[Peter1First]

Much of Memzer Ulyanov's actions was situational. Execution for blatant anti-Semitism was simply necessary, since 90% of the Bolshevik revolutionary leadership was Jewish (just as the execution and removal from the city of the prostitutes who had been plied with alcohol by the revolutionary soldiers was necessary). Remember that the revolutionaries were only funded by the Rockefellers and Rothschilds; they had no money of their own, so they had to tolerate Trotsky and his Comintern, with all the ensuing consequences. Only under Stalin was it possible to purge this entire gang, including Trotsky himself.

[AllX_VahhaB]

Quote: Comrade Kim

The grandson of Srul Mosheevich Blank, Ulyanov (Blank), nicknamed Lenin, stole the electrification plan from the government of Nicholas II.

Well, yes, and Korolev stole the rocket plan from Tsiolkovsky!
And miles with Kamov's helicopter plan from Leonardo da Vinci

Quote: Comrade Kim

Before 1917, the share of religious literature amounted to 0,6% of the books published in the Russian Empire.

Can I see the source? I wonder where you got this nonsense from...

[Aken]

Wild people. From the plow. They didn't know what effective management was.

[Million]

We need to somehow master the budget.

[Konnick]

ABS and ESP electronic units

For VAZ it is produced by the domestic company "Itelma", not China.

[Evgeny Fedorov]

This is true, but Itelma only assembles electronics from Chinese components—the key components are not localized. They are currently working on independently producing the valve body and electronic control module.

[Konnick]

Quote: Yevgeny Fedorov

This is true, but Itelma only assembles electronics from Chinese components—the key components are not localized. They are currently working on independently producing the valve body and electronic control module.

I'm against these electronic gadgets; they create a false sense of security. And if a new car had the option of not having ABS, I'd choose it. I've almost had a couple of accidents because of ABS, and a friend of mine smashed his bumper in a harmless situation because there was sand on the pavement and the ABS wouldn't let him brake. An experienced driver can brake a car much better on ice than with ABS. Electronic tablets should be banned to prevent driver distraction.

[Million]

I would make them disableable.

[Evgeny Fedorov]

Electronic assistants really do improve road safety – there's no arguing with that.

An experienced driver will brake a car on ice much better than with ABS.

What if an inexperienced driver is behind the wheel? There's no shortage of them. I agree about tablets—there's nothing better than a classic car dashboard from the 90s-2000s.

[Konnick]

Quote: Evgeny Fedorov

Electronic assistants really do improve road safety – there's no arguing with that.

Many people think that if the car is so smart, they can do many things that they would be afraid to do without these electronic assistants.

[Goto]

An experienced driver will brake a car on ice much better than with ABS.

There is no evidence to support this, research results show the opposite.

[Peter1First]

I had an old 2110 without any ABS. I remember braking dead in front of a truck on icy, snow-covered roads from 90 km/h. Now, my Kalina, with ABS, couldn't stop in front of a stopped car on packed snow from 40 km/h in 25 meters!

[vfwfr]

(With parts from China)

"The text of your comment is too short and, in the opinion of the site administration, does not contain useful information."

[Konnick]

The Chinese, albeit reluctantly, have accustomed Russians to small-displacement turbocharged engines. Performance is above average, fuel consumption is acceptable, and the engine life is not short. The typical Chinese car that appeals to Russians is an all-wheel-drive crossover with a 140-160 hp turbocharged engine.

The typical buyer of these cars is a heavily indebted individual. I don't want a turbocharged, small-displacement engine with an unknown lifespan and no performance at high speeds. With this turbo, it starts off strong, then sluggishly, with a significant delay when overtaking.

[Dedok]

Why do we need NAMI?

"You're asking apolitical questions, comrade!"
But in reality, there are so many shady feeding pits "bred" in the country that when you look around, you get the impression that the country is only writing reports and filling out work logs...

[Grim Reaper]

Author! There's such a thing as fundamental science. It doesn't yield results here and now. Then, in thirty years.
But this is very important for the state.
And I'm glad that Russia has begun to move in this direction. Albeit timid, albeit laughable (for V.O.'s commentators) steps. But it's a start!

[Dedok]

Author! There is such a thing as fundamental science.

what are you speaking about?
where is the "fundamental research" here??
From an institute with applied themes, it has transformed into a modern "feeding trough"...

[Gvardeetz77]

Quote: Grim Reaper

Author! There's such a thing as fundamental science. It doesn't yield results here and now. Then, in thirty years.
But this is very important for the state.
And I'm glad that Russia has begun to move in this direction. Albeit timid, albeit laughable (for V.O.'s commentators) steps. But it's a start!

We'll spend 50 years fundamentally studying gearboxes, then another 150 years studying torque converters, and in 300 years we'll be off and running!!!

[GRIGORIY76]

I fully support the author! NAMI has long ceased to be the leading institute of the auto industry, but rather a court studio for one man – Putin. And we must come to terms with this.

NAMI's primary goal is not industry development, but rather the provision of a Special Purpose Garage. This is the source of all the projects:

1. Gearboxes are a prime example of money being wasted. Initially, they installed a KATE gearbox on the Aurus, which proved unreliable. Then, in 2015, they've been developing their own automatic transmission, the "NAMI-AKP-2," but nothing has happened. Where are the results?
2. The National Modular Platform—87,8 billion rubles have been allocated for it through 2027. But so far, all we've seen are promises and budget "utilization."
3. Automotive Electronics Design Center – contracts worth 2,2 billion rubles have been disrupted; contractor RKServis is almost a year behind schedule, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade is demanding the return of over a billion. "The work is progressing so slowly that it is impossible to complete it," is a quote from the documents.
4. The Aurus Merlon electric motorcycle was simply "wrapped up" in the Special Purpose Garage and had to be converted back to a gasoline-powered one.
5. The hydrogen Aurus is a beautiful concept, but useless for the mass automotive industry.

Instead of solving pressing problems—developing a viscous coupling for the all-wheel drive Lada Azimut, proper turbocharged engines with 140–160 hp, or a modern manual transmission to replace the archaic Chinese one—NAMI is busy creating expensive toys for the Kremlin. The institute is supported by the budget, but there's almost no real import substitution. The country needs components for mass-produced cars, not 300-horsepower engines that no one wants.

[Grim Reaper]

Quote: Dedok

Author! There is such a thing as fundamental science.

what are you speaking about?
where is the "fundamental research" here??
From an institute with applied themes, it has transformed into a modern "feeding trough"...

For a child in a sandbox, replacing a shovel with a fork is also fundamental research. Unfortunately, we're at that child's level right now. No big deal, 20 years from now, you'll be surprised. The key is to start.

[Grim Reaper]

Quote: Gvardeetz77

Quote: Grim Reaper

Author! There's such a thing as fundamental science. It doesn't yield results here and now. Then, in thirty years.
But this is very important for the state.
And I'm glad that Russia has begun to move in this direction. Albeit timid, albeit laughable (for V.O.'s commentators) steps. But it's a start!

We'll spend 50 years fundamentally studying gearboxes, then another 150 years studying torque converters, and in 300 years we'll be off and running!!!

Don't be sarcastic, you understood my comment perfectly well, but something itched in my butt...

[KrolikZanuda]

The mass consumer doesn't need all-wheel drive and turbines.
Naturally aspirated and self-block engines cover 99% of customer needs.
And NAMI is simply a division of parasites living off the budget.

[Havoc]

Quote: KrolikZanuda

The mass consumer doesn't need all-wheel drive and turbines.
Naturally aspirated and self-block engines cover 99% of customer needs.
And NAMI is simply a division of parasites living off the budget.

Where do you live, sir? If it's in the Krasnodar region, then yes, you can drive in either rear- or front-wheel drive year-round, depending on your specific setup. But in our far north, it's better to have two-wheel drive. You see, our roads get snow-covered, and sometimes you can't even drive into your yard, and there's always ice under the snow in winter. And 70% of our country's areas are like that.
As for the naturally aspirated engine, try braking when going uphill on a diesel engine; it will take a long time and a lot of effort to accelerate.

[Victor Alien]

I wonder why no one is interested in a 300-horsepower engine?! Why then do people buy BMWs and Audis from abroad even now, when scrap prices are high?! Why wouldn't such an engine fit in the rear-wheel-drive Sobol Next for special services?! Or have they switched to diesel there too?! Besides engines, we simply don't have a sedan or station wagon wider than 1,7 meters and longer than 4,5 meters. Apparently, our American pickups are sold in single units with large engines for the same reason that no one needs them. The development of the Strela with gas units could have tried such a 300-horsepower engine. They ran into the Soviet legacy and three factories. VAZ started assembling vans that could have used the same Niva engine, gearbox, and rear axle – there you have it, 50% localization right away – no, they kept everything Chinese. They could have also put a 1,8-liter Vesta engine with 145 hp in there. And you could put a 1,8 in a Largus, too – the car weighs 2 tons, and a 1,6 engine is not a serious option. The speed limit would have to be reduced to 130 km/h – the speed limiters are getting on my nerves. With seven seats, the Largus needs another 30-50 cm of rear overhang. And the Aura sedan should have been based on the Largus wheelbase – the body parts behind the rear doors would have just needed to be replaced, and the middle inserts would have been eliminated. New car variants are needed in Russia. Excise taxes on engines over 90 hp should be removed. Larger people, as well as those with a foot size of 45 or more, will simply feel cramped in small basins. The Volga should be a rear-wheel-drive sedan as standard, and such an engine would be just right for it. The GAZ-3111 could even be put into production today. The GAZ CityVan would be a great replacement for the Peugeot Partner and similar models – perfect for taxis and delivery. All the factories produce the same type of vehicle. An inline-four engine up to 1,5 tons is ideal for everyday use. A 3-liter, six-cylinder engine is ideal for work. An eight-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive are ideal for leisure – for driving, towing a trailer, camper, or boat on vacation. CNG-powered options would be more economical and much simpler than electric trains. CNG-powered gas stations could be installed in every village with pipeline gas – no logistical issues would interfere, not even missile or drone attacks, not even a shortage of tankers and drivers. And stable sales in Russia would be guaranteed, without the need for unnecessary dollars and yuan.

[Evgesha]

You have so much imagination and yet you simply do not understand the problems.
I'll speak for the Sobol you mentioned: to install a 300hp engine on it, you need to do and adapt the following things to it:
1. Brake system
2. rear axle
3.cardan shaft
4. Gearbox
5. Recalculate the frame rigidity and redesign the frame
6. Taking into account all of the above, completely redesign the steering system.
7Considering the increased dynamic capabilities, a new suspension is needed.

As a result, only the body will remain from the Sobol, and even that will require redesign.
The bottom line is that a completely new car needs to be designed, which requires a ton of resources, and it's unclear when they'll pay off.

And so it is in all your proposals.
But at the same time, the decisions in our automotive industry are simply astonishing and completely baffling. These decisions defy normal logic.

[vfwfr]

A Zhiguli with a "V8 from a garage" engine for 4-8 million rubles + questionable service + tax was not a "sweet spot" for anyone (the mass user).
BMW and Audi for the same price or less, with reasonable performance and anatomical comfort....
P.S. When will they finally start separating the budget and premium segments of cars... The problem is, we don't have a premium segment... there's nothing to compare it to.

[Samoyed]

Look at our fathers and grandfathers. Without computers, search engines, design systems, digital modeling... they could create new technologies quickly and at a world-class level. Sometimes even better and first. But we're incapable! What's the reason?

[vfwfr]

Are you ready to work 12 hours a day and seven days a week for this idea?

[AlexSam]

The Chinese are giving the author of this article a standing ovation... The author plans to fight in a BMP-3 in a war with NATO, something he's stated repeatedly, so why does he need some NAMI? Indeed, who needs NAMI and its developments when the domestic auto industry is living on loans and run by defectives who live for today? So, change the name, stigmatize it, shut it down, and disband it.

[the same doctor]

NAMI shows us the ineffectiveness of state structures without Stalin's oversight. It's an excellent touchstone for refining management methods for our state apparatus. If something doesn't work out, it's no great loss. The structure is useless anyway.
We need to appoint a parliamentary commission there or send a senator... to conduct an audit, reorganize, and set tasks.

[olboop]

Regarding turbocharged engines. Living in Vladivostok and having considerable experience with Japanese used cars, I'd like to point out that after 7-10 years of use, many Japanese cars develop turbocharger problems, requiring expensive repairs. Small cars tend to suffer more. I don't think the Chinese have surpassed the Japanese.
I'm suspicious of 1,5-liter engines that are being turbocharged to achieve 150-200 hp. After all, no matter how you look at it, the specific power of each cylinder will increase, with a corresponding increase in thermal and mechanical loads. The inevitable price is a shorter service life.

[Samoyed]

Unfortunately, managers are often endowed with some kind of "higher" knowledge and skills. But often, they are "puffed-up" incompetents. The logic is simple: for something to develop, you need to pay the developers, not their "managers!" But bosses and officials must live in fear of poor performance, otherwise they quickly accumulate fat. And the argument about competition and the market is overcome by government policy. A negative example is the size of the key interest rate. A positive example is targeted financing, without commercial banks, which drive inflation.