VEPR (Ukrainian: Автомобіль Високо-Ефективної ПРохідності (Avtomobil Vysoko-Efektyvnoyi PRokhidnosti) is a Ukrainian multi-purpose off-road vehicle designed and assembled by the Kremenchuk Automobile Assembly Plant. (The name is a pun:Ukrainian: Вепр, wild boar.)

VEPR
TypeArmoured personnel carrier
Place of originUkraine
Service history
In service2006
Production history
DesignerKremenchuk Automobile Assembly Plant
Designed2002
ManufacturerKremenchuk Automobile Assembly Plant
Unit cost$50,000–250,000
VariantsHunter, Commander, C
Specifications
Mass3.56 t and up depending on the armour
Length5.3 m
Width2.5 m
Height2.1 m
Crew5-9

Armor10 mm. D6, D7 class
Engine4-cylinder 3.9-liter diesel
Payload capacity2 t
Drive4x4, 18–20-inch wheels
TransmissionIveco manual
Suspensionindependent
Ground clearance300–600 mm, adjustable
Operational
range
Fuel consumption per 100 km: city: 14 L highway: 11.5 L
Maximum speed 140 km/h

The designers' goal was to create an SUV-type vehicle which would have the same terrain ability traditionally reserved for larger cargo vehicles, such as the KrAZ and Ural. The patent has been received for the passenger-cargo vehicle.

The per-unit price of the VEPR is estimated to be between $50,000 and $250,000.

Description

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Fuel consumption is said to be modest for a vehicle of this size, with 14 liters per 100 km in urban areas, and 11.5 liters per 100 km on highways. This makes the VEPR more fuel-efficient than the smaller Hummer.[1][2]

Standard modification includes:

  • Adjustable pressure tires for use on all terrains
  • A/C and heat independent of the engine
  • Drum brakes of closed type, for harsh temperatures and driving over ford crossings, can clear up to 1.5 meter water level
  • Stainless steel frame and parts
  • BTR-94 wheels [3][4]

Variants

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  • VEPR-K "Commander" (ВЕПР-К «Командир»)
  • military armored variant
  • extreme off-road, civilian unarmored variant. It is said to be targeted at the American Hummer SUV.[5] photo
  • VEPR-K "Sport" (ВЕПР-К «Спорт») - unarmored rally car, at least one was made in 2013[6] photo
  • VEPR-M "Hunter" (ВЕПР-М «Мисливець») - Fully enclosed unarmored cab-forward truck photo
  • VEPR-S "Special" (ВЕПР-С «Спеціальний») - fully enclosed cab-forward multi-purpose armored vehicle with «Кольчуга» passive sensor or «Мандат-Б1Е» electronic countermeasure system. Only 15 were made. Not produced since May 2011[7] photo

Production

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At least 10 vehicles have been produced for the Siberian Tyumen and Yakutiya regions, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan until 15 March 2006.[8]

Operators

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Map of VEPR operators in blue

Current operators

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  •   Georgia - 1 VEPR-S "Special" since May 2008[9]
  •   Greece - 1 VEPR-S "Special" since May 2008[9]

References

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  1. ^ (in Russian) VEPR Parameters Archived October 9, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ (in Russian) В Киеве представлен первый украинский бронированный внедорожник // Podrobnosti news agency March 13, 2006
  3. ^ (in Russian) Interview with a director of VEPR, LLC. Vladimir Ivanovich Pilipenko Archived 2012-02-18 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ (in Russian) VEPR Production Article[dead link]
  5. ^ Commander SUV targets hummer, Autoexpressnews (February 15, 2007)
  6. ^ В Киеве презентовали раллийную версию кременчугского внедорожника «Вепр-К» // "Кременчуг online" от 24 апреля 2013
  7. ^ "директор Кременчугского АТП-15356 Владимир Пилипенко прекращает собирать панцирные автомобили «Вепрь», оборудованные «кольчугами». Последний, совместно со своими коллегами, соберет в мае на «Николаевском заводе бронетранспортеров» и все — на этом история кременчугских бронированных автомобилей высокоэффективной проходимости, на которые устанавливали «кольчуги», или более современные «МАНДАТ 1 БЕ» должна завершиться... Всего удалось выпустить полтора десятка таких комплектов"
    Бронированных "Вепрей" в Кременчуге больше не будут собирать // "Новости Украины" от 31 мая 2011
  8. ^ (in Russian) Украинский автомобиль ВЕПР - Steer.ru (March 15, 2006)
  9. ^ a b Греция и Грузия обзавелись кременчугскими «Вепрями» // "Кременчуг online" от 26 мая 2008
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