- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru Fr He
Zibar ZMAG off-road vehicle. The future of the IDF
The ZMAG is an infantry fighting vehicle by Ido Cohen, a talented designer, racer and Dakar winner and founder of Ido Off Road Center. In 2020, the rights to design the ZMAG and other military Zibar models were acquired by IAI, Israel Aircraft Industry. In 2021, it was announced that the vehicles would be produced at a new plant in southern Israel in the city of Beersheba. IAI is already working on the armored versions of the ZMAG and plans to produce several hundred vehicles per year at the Beersheba plant. The vehicles are manufactured by IAI’s subsidiary ELTA, which specializes in communications and is capable of building unmanned reconnaissance vehicles.
On April 22, the Israeli Ministry of Defense placed its first order for nine ZMAG vehicles. An excellent choice: the vehicle is built to withstand the harshest conditions. It is strong, mobile and reliable. Like other models in the Z family, the vehicle can be repaired in the open field. According to Yoav Tourgeman, IAI’s Executive VP and CEO of ELTA, the new ZMAG will become a regular vehicle for the IDF, and over time it is planned to supply these vehicles to the military.
Exterior
The new ZMAG has a monocoque design that provides increased safety, stability at high speeds and good handling for the vehicle of this class. The vehicle can have 4/8/14 seats. Its curb weight is 2,700 kg, the payload is 2,500 kg. It is 5 m long, 2 m wide and 1.4 m high.
Engines
The 2020/2021 ZMAG comes with a V8 L96 engine by General Motors, which produces 360 hp at 5,400 rpm. The vehicle features a 3-speed automatic transmission, as well as front and rear suspension based on Dana axles. The infantry vehicle is capable of developing a maximum speed of over 120 km/h and traveling 350 km without refueling. There is also a 3-liter turbocharged diesel engine, coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Off-road characteristics
The vehicle has impressive off-road characteristics: the approach angle is 90°, the departure angle is 48°, while the lateral and longitudinal stability is 65% and 100%, respectively. The fordable depth is 0.8 m. The ground clearance is 380 mm (minimum) or an impressive 530 mm (maximum).
