2022 Gaz Trackmaster: Australian deliveries to begin next month

The 2022 Gaz Trackmaster will arrive on Australian shores next month, offering an alternative for those needing a tray – or a camper platform – with a high level of off-road capability.

Gaz is one of Russia’s largest vehicle manufacturers, with a number of overseas militaries using its models. Now local company Australian Adventure Vehicles (AAV4X4) is offering the Trackmaster to Aussie buyers from $89,500 before on-road costs.

Badged as the Sadko Next overseas, the Trackmaster is powered by a 4.4-litre intercooled turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 110kW and 490Nm, mated to a dog-leg five-speed manual synchro gearbox or optional Allison six-speed automatic transmission.

While the Trackmaster can only manage around 95km/h, the Allison auto increases its top speed to “in excess of 110km/h”.

The Gaz offers part-time four-wheel drive – powering the rear wheels for normal highway driving, with a dash-mounted 4H and 4L selector for off-roading, combined with automatic front and rear differential locks.

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Thanks to the large 42-inch tyres, the vehicle has 315 millimetres of clearance, a 1.2-metre water fording depth, and an approach angle of 60 per cent.

However, while the Trackmaster has a curb weight of 3600 kilograms, its GVM is listed as 7450kg, meaning a light rigid driver’s licence is required to legally drive it in Australia.

This puts it up against the likes of the four-wheel-drive Fuso Canter and Isuzu NPS – but as AAV4X4 points out, the Gaz was designed from the ground up as an off-road vehicle, rather than being a commercial truck converted to four-wheel drive.

Included in the price for the single-cab is a tray, snorkel, cruise control, suspension driver’s seat with heating, bluetooth with music streaming, USB smartphone mirroring, steering wheel volume controls, twin fuel tanks, and the aforementioned twin diff locks.

Also standard is a central tyre inflation (CTI) system, which allows the driver to lower or raise tyre pressures on the fly, as well as allowing air tools to be used by connecting to the onboard air tank.

Buyers are able to option a 17,000 or 25,000lb electric winch, with a PTO also available.

AAV4X4 has suggested engine performance and tow ratings may be upgraded in the future, but for the time being, the Trackmaster has a maximum braked towing weight of 2650kg.

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Being a commercial truck, the Gaz also misses out on mandated safety equipment for passenger vehicles such as airbags, but does have an anti-lock braking system (ABS) connected to its pneumatic brakes.

Buyers can option the Trackmaster in white, metallic silver, grey, or red, with a dual-cab in the pipeline.

First deliveries of the 2022 Gaz Trackmaster will begin in March, priced from $89,500 before on-road costs.