Puli (car)
| Puli | |
|---|---|
_Pinguin_4.jpg?lang=en) | |
| Overview | |
| Type | microcar |
| Manufacturer | HÓDGÉP Kft. |
| Also called | Puli Pinguin |
| Model years | 1986-1998 (2000 for 2e) |
| Assembly | Hungary |
| Body and chassis | |
| Layout | FF |
| Doors | 3 |
| Chassis | Unibody |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 273 cc Yanmar Diesel engine; Electric motor |
| Power output | Diesel engine: 4 kW (5.5 HP); Electric motor: 7.4 kW (9.9 HP) |
| Transmission | continuously variable |
| Battery | (on electric model) 10, 6V lead-acid batteries, total capacity: 240 Ah |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 2680 mm |
| Width | 1480 mm |
| Height | 1420 mm |
| Curb weight | 350 kg |
Its maximum speed was 45km/h It consumes 1.2 liters/100km/h
The Puli was a microcar made in Hungary by HÓDGÉP of Hódmezővásárhely from 1986.
The car was 2.46 m long and was assembled using parts made by Ikarus, Škoda, Lada and Polski Fiat available at that time in the country. It was propelled by a Diesel engine of 4 kW, or an electric engine of 7.4 kW.
The car was 2.46 m long and was assembled using parts made by Ikarus, Škoda, Lada and Polski Fiat available at that time in the country. It was propelled by a Diesel engine of 4 kW, or an electric engine of 7.4 kW. The production of the small car was the idea of a supposed french investor, a certain Teddy Marson, because in France in the 1980s, a category B driving license was not necessary to drive such underpowered vehicles. Marson tried the car idea in several other countries, but he failed to gain support from anyone until Hungary, which was losing its market with the collapse of KGST, was ready to sign a contract with the suspicious French company. Marson Company, through the foreign trade company francs of 80,000 Technoimpex.
The body was made from reinforced glass fibre.It was intended to be exported mainly to France where no driving licence was needed to drive that category of vehicles. The company's profile was agricultural machinery building and did not survive the political-economical transition of Hungary to a market economy at the end of the 1980s.
In 1986, three prototypes of the small city car called Hungi City were made to French order. Ikarus was first contacted for production, but another small car project, Tecoplan Leo, blocked its capacity, then they reached HÓDGÉP, which had lost state orders. HÓDGÉP jumped at the opportunity, but two main problems arose: on the one hand, despite its promise, Marson could not find buyers for the cars it wanted to produce, and on the other hand, the small car - initially called Hungi City, then Pouli, and finally Puli - was produced with extremely imprecise and undemanding quality. Imported parts arrived at this point, which could only be obtained with expensive Western currencies, so they tried to equip the car with domestically available parts (Lada, Polski Fiat, Trabant).
20 million HUF was planned for the start of production, which was extremely little, which is why the live work was mostly inaccurate during production. The test models presented abroad also suffered from many childhood illnesses: they were noisy, creaked and quickly got wet even with a little rain. The Japanese-made engines originally used were unprofitable and the Hungarian company also entered into litigation with the manufacturer. A redesign followed, where many changes were made, several parts came from Ikarus, but it was still expensive, as even KGST demanded change instead of rubles for parts there. In the meantime, additional versions were also planned (convertible, station wagon, cargo transporter, etc.), but due to the lack of customers from Mars, the Hungarians had to find new investors, who, on the other hand, turned away of the market. possible deal due to poor quality of the car; It is for this reason that even Magyar Posta moved away from the Puli, which initially seemed to be a promising delivery vehicle.
An electric model called the Puli Pinguin was also produced in the 1990s with Pinguin brand batteries. There were also redesigns and newer types, but after the system change they seemed even more unsaleable, partly because of the poor quality and partly because of the high price he debts of the company, which became Puli Kft de HÓDGÉP, were increasing.
At the same time, the then mayor Gábor Demszky appreciated the vehicle, and Budapest Hospitals Capital Electric Works (ELMŰ) and Budapest Funeral Society (BTI) also purchased dozens of 2E versions for transport merchandise. The success in the capital resulted in a foreign order for 600 units, the third deadline for which was missed due to unorganized production, so this deal also failed.
In 1993, Puli Kft. The management had hoped for a takeover by a foreign car manufacturer, but this did not happen, the company went bankrupt in 1996 and two years later the legal successor also ceased to exist. Most working Puli survived in public cemeteries as electric hearses, so cemetery workshops became a sort of "branded service" for this type.
Despite the minor success (a few hundred pieces in total) [3] abroad, the national distribution was not a success, due to the small number of pieces produced (two per day) and the obviously high price that is associated with it. The two-seater car with a plastic body was powered by a 4 kW (5.5 hp) Japanese-made diesel engine and its top speed was approx. 45km/h.
Many of its mechanical parts corresponded to contemporary parts from Škoda, Lada or Polski Fiat, the supply of which then seemed simpler in Hungary. In accordance with the characteristics of a small city car, technical solutions were used in its construction which made it possible to create a small (length 2.46 m, width 1.40 m, height 1.42 m) and light (net weight : 350 kg). Its maneuverability was very good: its turning circle was 6.8 m.
The body is made of fiberglass-reinforced polyester combined with sheet steel, in a three-door design, with a sunroof integrated into the roof. Power transmission was solved by a stepless automatic clutch. The payload capacity of the vehicle was 200 kg. The 300 liter luggage compartment behind the seats made it possible to transport luggage or goods.
In addition to carrying two people, HÓDGÉP designed the Puli as a vehicle for shopping and public services (post office, electrical work, gas work The electric version was produced in 1991 under the name Puli Pinguin 4.
In 2006 the Puli returned under the ownership of Prokop Gábor. Prokop holds Puli and Wartburg trade marks.
See also
- Puli (dog breed)