The MAZ-101 low-floor city bus became the first serial bus of the Minsk Automobile Plant. It was a licensed copy of the German Neoplan N4014 model.

In 1992, five car sets were brought to Minsk from Germany, the assembled buses received the MAZ-101 index and entered city routes. Real operation showed that the German car was poorly adapted for local conditions, so the plant began to refine the design.

The updated MAZ-101 was launched in 1993. The bus differed from the German original in its modernized steering, reinforced suspension, and increased ground clearance. Instead of an electromechanical door opening mechanism, a pneumatic one was used, and the layout of the cabin also changed. Externally, the modernized MAZ-103 could be recognized by two rectangular headlights.

Initially, the bus was equipped with a 230 hp MAN inline six-cylinder diesel engine. with., but after the design was finalized, it was also possible to install YaMZ or MMZ engines on the machine.

Production of MAZ-101 continued until 1996, a total of four dozen cars were made. This bus was replaced by the MAZ-103 model.

Low-floor buses MAZ-103 are used to perform various tasks for the transportation of passengers within the framework of suburban and urban routes.

 There are modifications of MAZ-103 buses. They can be equipped with one of several transmission options with excellent technical characteristics: from the 6-speed manual transmission ZF to Voith Diwa D 851.2. In areas with harsh climates, it is possible to buy the northern version. They are equipped with a heater with increased power, double glazing and a special system that provides engine preheating.

Features of the engine and its location

The engine is located in the rear overhang and is at an angle of 9 ° to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle on the left in the vertical engine compartment. It occupies the entire space, forming a kind of cabinet. The MAZ power unit is securely attached to the MAZ-103 frame with 4 supports. Each of them includes a shock absorber, which is bolted to the frame bracket. A Mercedes-Benz engine is installed on MAZ model 103 buses. The engine cooling system is liquid, has a closed type and is characterized by forced circulation of the coolant. It is combined with the heating system for the driver's workplace and the passenger compartment.

Suspension

Front independent suspension - pneumatic, operates on 2 air bellows equipped with 2 shock absorbers and 2 body position adjusters. Damping of vibrations that occur when driving the MAZ on an uneven road is due to the collapsible hydraulic shock absorbers of the telescopic type installed in the suspension.

The rear axle MAZ model 103 is the leading one. It is a rigid beam equipped with a spaced double transmission. The unit is created according to the classical scheme and has a bevel gearbox offset from the transverse axis of the bridge.

Passenger capacity

The number of seats ranges from 21 to 39. The total number of passengers varies from 90 to 100 people. The seats in the cabin are separate, arranged in four rows: double - on the left side and single (and 2 double) - on the right. The minimum distance between seats (in the aisle) is 790 mm. The salon assumes the presence of a storage area opposite the middle entrance.