PAZ-3205

PAZ-3205

PAZ-3205 is a Soviet and Russian high-floor small-class bus produced by the Pavlovsk Bus Plant; it has been the basic and classic model of the plant since 1989. Throughout the history of production of this bus, various types of engines have been installed.

It was developed by creating dozens of prototypes over almost 15 years. The basis was the PAZ-3203 bus, developed in 1972-1977 and prepared for serial production in 1979, but never put into production. The first experimental batch of buses for testing was manufactured in 1979, and assembly line assembly began in 1984.

On November 17, 1985, experimental production of the PAZ-3205 began.

The final version of the bus was approved in 1986. Mass production began on December 1, 1989, when the assembly line completely stopped production of the previous PAZ-672M model. On June 4, 2001, the plant celebrated the production of the 100,000th bus of this model. In 2007, production was modernized, which made it possible to carry out certification for regular use on busy routes, the service life of the body increased significantly (from 5 to 10 years), a more efficient heater and more comfortable seats were installed in the cabin. In 2014, production of the restyled version began. At the end of 2020, the bus received cosmetic changes: an electric step was installed on the first door, the positions of the windows and seats in the cabin were changed, the dashboard was updated, the driver’s partition was made up to the roof, and a handrail was added near the driver’s seat.

Production of the original modifications PAZ-3205 and PAZ-32051 was discontinued in 2003. Since 2001, the launch of updated modifications PAZ-32053 and PAZ-32054 began. An important difference is the installation of a pneumatic brake system instead of a hydraulic one. In 2014, restyling appeared for modifications of the PAZ-32053, PAZ-32054, PAZ-4234 bus.

With the entry into force of Euro-5 environmental requirements and the development of production of ZMZ-5245 injection engines by the Zavolzhsky Motor Plant, the production of modifications PAZ-320530 and PAZ-320540 began in 2017. On these modifications, factory installation of gas-cylinder equipment for operation on liquefied petroleum gas or compressed natural gas began. Despite the fact that ZMZ discontinued the V8 gasoline engines that were equipped with some versions of the bus from 2021 to 2023, production of the 3205 family continues. In 2021-2023, the bus was produced with YaMZ and MMZ diesel engines. After the restoration, in January 2023, of the production of ZMZ-523 engines, equipping them with PAZ buses of the 3205 family was also resumed.

In 2022, an anti-sanction restyling of the bus was presented: due to difficulties in supplying foreign-made components, GAZ Group prepared a version of the bus with low-beam headlights FG-140. In addition to the headlights, the chassis has been simplified (the engine is YaMZ-534 of the Euro-3 environmental standard instead of Euro-5). However, by the end of 2022, PAZ returned the 2014 model cladding back into production.

Modifications

PAZ-3205 — original basic bus with one automatic door, a ZMZ-5234.10 carburetor engine of the ZMZ-53 family and a pneumatic-hydraulic braking system. Produced from 1989 to 2003 in various modifications:
- PAZ-3205-10 — designed to run on compressed gas. The gas engine is hidden under a special casing on the roof, installed in place of the third hatch. The bus remained experimental.
- PAZ-3205-20 — cargo-passenger version, available in several versions with different volumes of the cargo compartment, which is located in the rear of the body. The number of seats is 16. The volume of the cargo compartment can vary from 5.3 to 15 m³.
- PAZ-3205-30 — for disabled people, equipped with a hydraulic lift and mounts for wheelchairs. It was developed in 1998 and initially bore the index PAZ-3208.
- PAZ-3205-40 — self-propelled chassis. In the 1970-1980s, the Soviet Union carried out significant volumes of supplies of self-propelled chassis based on the PAZ-672 bus to Cuba, where the customer mounted their bodies on it.
- PAZ-3205-50 — luxury version developed in the early 1990s. The first experimental buses had the PAZ-3205T index. It differs from standard buses in the installation of soft non-adjustable seats in the cabin on the superstructure, the presence of luggage racks above the seats along the windows and a luggage compartment with a volume of about 2 m³ in the rear of the cabin.
- PAZ-3205-60 — northern version (prototype name: PAZ-320501), appeared in 1984. It differs from the base model in improved thermal insulation, double glazing, and a driver’s cabin completely separated from the passenger compartment. The heating system is calorific – from a radiator and 3 heaters connected to the engine cooling system.
- PAZ-3205-70 — school bus. It differs from the basic model in four steps, of which the lower one is retractable, seats with a semi-soft high back, seat belts on each seat, and a driver signal button near each seat. The bus is also equipped with shelves for schoolchildren’s backpacks, and there is space for two wheelchairs when folded. A reflective strip is applied along the perimeter of the body, and a megaphone is installed on the roof.
- PAZ-3205-70 RAP — version of a school bus with Belarusian components.
PAZ-32051 — bus with two automatic doors for suburban routes and a pneumatic-hydraulic braking system (the location of the seats in the cabin differs for one-door and two-door modifications). Produced from 1989 to 2003.
PAZ-32052 — experimental bus with one wide automatic door for city routes.
PAZ-32053 — bus with one automatic door for suburban routes and a pneumatic braking system with ABS, the next generation, replacing PAZ-3205. Externally it differs from the base model 3205 in the height of the emergency door and the reduced door window. Produced between 2001 and 2021 in various modifications:
- PAZ-32053 — basic version with a ZMZ-5234 gasoline carburetor engine.
- PAZ-32053 RAP — version of a gasoline bus with Belarusian components.
- PAZ-32053-04 — variant with a YaMZ-5341 diesel engine.
- PAZ-32053-05 — variant with a Cummins ISF 3.8 diesel engine.
- PAZ-32053-07 — version with MMZ 245.9 diesel engine.
- PAZ-32053-07 RAP — version of a diesel bus with Belarusian components.
- PAZ-32053-08 — variant with a ZMZ 52342.10 carburetor engine (Euro-4).
- PAZ-32053-20 — cargo-passenger bus for transporting construction crews and equipment.
- PAZ-32053-27 — utility vehicle with a MMZ 245.7 diesel engine.
- PAZ-32053-50P — bus with one automatic door for suburban routes with an improved interior.
- PAZ-32053-57 — suburban bus with MMZ 245.7 diesel engine.
- PAZ-32053-60 — northern version.
- PAZ-32053-67 — northern with a diesel engine MMZ 245.7.
- PAZ-32053-70 — school bus.
- PAZ-32053-77 — school bus with MMZ 245.7 diesel engine.
- PAZ-320538-70 — school bus in northern version.
- PAZ-32053-80 — funeral bus.

PAZ-32054 is a bus with two automatic doors for city routes with a pneumatic braking system with ABS. It is a replacement for PAZ-32051. Technically similar to 32053. Also produced from 2001 to 2021:
- PAZ-32054 — basic version with a ZMZ-5234 gasoline carburetor engine.
- PAZ-32054-03 — version with a Cummins B 3.9 140 CIV-1 diesel engine.
- PAZ-32054-04 — variant with a YaMZ-5341 diesel engine.
- PAZ-32054-05 — version with a Cummins ISF 3.8 diesel engine.
- PAZ-32054-07 — version with MMZ 245.9 diesel engine.
- PAZ-32054-08 — variant with a ZMZ 52342.10 carburetor engine (Euro-4).
- PAZ-320530 — bus with one automatic door (suburban routes). Produced since 2017.
- PAZ-320530-02 — variant with a ZMZ-5245 injection gasoline engine.
- PAZ-320530-04 — variant with a YaMZ-5341 diesel engine.
- PAZ-320530-07 — version with MMZ-245 diesel engine.
- PAZ-320530-12 — variant with a ZMZ-5245 compressed natural gas (CNG) engine.
- PAZ-320530-22 — variant with a ZMZ-5245 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) engine.

PAZ-320540 — bus with two automatic doors for urban routes, technically similar to 320530, meeting Euro 5 environmental standards, produced since 2017 to replace outdated modifications.
- PAZ-320540-02 — variant with a ZMZ-5245 injection gasoline engine.
- PAZ-320540-04 — variant with a YaMZ-5323 diesel engine.
- PAZ-320540-07 — version with MMZ-245 diesel engine.
- PAZ-320540-12 — variant with a ZMZ-5245 compressed natural gas (CNG) engine.
- PAZ-320540-22 — variant with a ZMZ-5245 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) engine.
- PAZ-320540-33 — version with a ZMZ-5245 CNG engine with 15-liter fuel tank for gasoline (for starting the engine).

PAZ-320570 — school bus that meets Euro-5 environmental standards and has been produced since 2017 to replace outdated modifications.
- PAZ-320570-02 — variant with a ZMZ-5245 CNG engine.
- PAZ-320570-04 — variant with a YaMZ-5323 diesel engine.
PAZ-3798 — isothermal van.
PAZ-3975 — mobile laboratory for examination of athletes. It was developed by order of the USSR State Sports Committee in 1987.
PAZ-3206 — all-wheel drive modification. Designed to operate in areas through difficult terrain.
PAZ-4234 — extended version of the PAZ-3205 bus with one window section, belonging to the middle class.