ZIL-118

ZIL-118
Overview
ManufacturerZIL
Production1962-1994
AssemblyMoscow, Russia
Body and chassis
Body styleMicrobus
LayoutFR layout
RelatedZIL-111
Powertrain
Engine
  • 6.0 L ZIL-130 V8 (1962-1965)
  • 6.0 L ZIL-111 V8 (1965-1970)
Dimensions
Wheelbase3,760 mm (148.0 in)
Length6,840 mm (269.3 in)
Width2,110 mm (83.1 in)
Height2,067 mm (81.4 in)
Curb weight3,320 kg (7,319 lb)
Chronology
SuccessorZIL-3250

The ZIL-118 Yunost ("Youth") is a microbus built by Zavod imeni Likhachova (Russian: Завод имени Лихачёва, Factory named for Likhacov), or ZIL.

Based on the ZIL-111 limousine, the ZIL-118 Yunost was developed in 1961,[1] on the factory's own initiative.[2] It was available in two versions, the microbus 118 and the ambulance 118A. Only 20 were initially built because of a lack of interest of government.[3][4] The few built were solely to special order, with a number as high-capacity ambulances.[5] An updated version appeared in 1970 in several versions: the ZIL-118K coach ZIL-118KS ambulance, both using the ZIL-508.10 V8 from ZIL trucks.[5] This modernized version was also sometimes named the ZIL-119. It received some modernizations in the body, such as the lighting equipment from VAZ-2105.[6]

This variant proved a little more popular than the ZIL-118, being in used in bigger numbers in government agencies. Such vehicles were purchased for a special purpose garage, the Ministry of Defense, the KGB, for the transportation of residents of the Intourist hotel and some others. An ambulance model was also built.[7]

The microbus was further facelifted in the 1980s, becoming the ZIL-3207. Production ended in 1994, with total number built, of the ZIL-118K/KS and ZIL-3207, reaching only 86.

During the 1990s, ZIL found itself in a difficult position in the market, as demand for 6-ton trucks such as the ZIL-130 started decreasing. As such, it was understood that a new light truck model was needed on the market. There were three competitive design teams assigned to develop such a vehicle. The possible options were the ZIL-4305 pick-up truck with a payload of 1.5 tons, the ZIL-3302, a pick-up truck version of the ZIL-3207 with a Perkins 3351 4-cylinder engine, with a payload of around 2 tons, and a cab-over truck built with Saviem parts, but had a new cab. Eventually, the ZIL-5301 "Bull" was developed, which replaced all these vehicles, including both the ZIL-3207 and 3302, as it was available as both a flatbed truck and bus.[8]

During the 2010s, sales in ZIL were gradually decreasing and the company was in an unsure fate for the future. In order to expanse their lineup and create a more effective competitor for the GAZelle, as the ZIL-5301 was slightly larger and heavier and competed with the similarly-sized GAZ Valdai, it was decided to take the cab and engine of the ZIL-3302 and install it on a modified ZIL-5301 chassis. After some prototypes were built, the project was not further developed.[9]

  1. ^ Thompson, Andy. Cars of the Soviet Union (Haynes Publishing, Somerset, UK, 2008), p.213.
  2. ^ "ЗиЛ 118 Юность". Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  3. ^ (in Russian) ZIL-118 Yunost, De Agostini Avtolegendy SSSR series Nr.28
  4. ^ "ЗИЛ-118 "Юность"". Denisovets.ru. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
  5. ^ a b Thompson, p.213.
  6. ^ "ZIL-119". Denisovets. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  7. ^ "ЗИЛ-118: два поколения «Юности»". Stone Forest. 29 June 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  8. ^ "История создания ЗИЛ-230100, самого маленького грузовика марки ЗИЛ - «Енот» – младший брат «Бычка» (Часть 1)". Gruzovnik Press. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  9. ^ "История создания ЗИЛ-230100, самого маленького грузовика марки ЗИЛ - «Енот» – младший брат «Бычка» (Часть 2)". Gruzovnik Press. Retrieved 11 August 2024.