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ZIL-118
Overview
Manufacturer	ZIL
Production	1962-1994
Assembly	Moscow, Russia
Body and chassis
Body style	Microbus
Layout	FR layout
Related	ZIL-111
Powertrain
Engine	6.0 L ZIL-130 V8 (1962-1965) 6.0 L ZIL-111 V8 (1965-1970)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,760 mm (148.0 in)
Length	6,840 mm (269.3 in)
Width	2,110 mm (83.1 in)
Height	2,067 mm (81.4 in)
Curb weight	3,320 kg (7,319 lb)
Chronology
Successor	ZIL-3250

The ZIL-118 Yunost ("Youth") is a microbus built by Zavod imeni Likhachova (Russian: Завод имени Лихачёва, Factory named for Likhacov), or ZIL.

Based on the ZIL-111 limousine, the ZIL-118 Yunost was developed in 1961, on the factory's own initiative. It was available in two versions, the microbus 118 and the ambulance 118A. Only 20 were initially built because of a lack of interest of government. The few built were solely to special order, with a number as high-capacity ambulances. An updated version appeared in 1970 in several versions: the ZIL-118K coach ZIL-118KS ambulance, both using the ZIL-508.10 V8 from ZIL trucks. This modernized version was also sometimes named the ZIL-119. It received some modernizations in the body, such as the lighting equipment from VAZ-2105.

This variant proved a little more popular than the ZIL-118, being in used in bigger numbers in government agencies. Such vehicles were purchased for a special purpose garage, the Ministry of Defense, the KGB, for the transportation of residents of the Intourist hotel and some others. An ambulance model was also built.

The microbus was further facelifted in the 1980s, becoming the ZIL-3207. Production ended in 1994, with total number built, of the ZIL-118K/KS and ZIL-3207, reaching only 86.

During the 1990s, ZIL found itself in a difficult position in the market, as demand for 6-ton trucks such as the ZIL-130 started decreasing. As such, it was understood that a new light truck model was needed on the market. There were three competitive design teams assigned to develop such a vehicle. The possible options were the ZIL-4305 pick-up truck with a payload of 1.5 tons, the ZIL-3302, a pick-up truck version of the ZIL-3207 with a Perkins 3351 4-cylinder engine, with a payload of around 2 tons, and a cab-over truck built with Saviem parts, but had a new cab. Eventually, the ZIL-5301 "Bull" was developed, which replaced all these vehicles, including both the ZIL-3207 and 3302, as it was available as both a flatbed truck and bus.

During the 2010s, sales in ZIL were gradually decreasing and the company was in an unsure fate for the future. In order to expanse their lineup and create a more effective competitor for the GAZelle, as the ZIL-5301 was slightly larger and heavier and competed with the similarly-sized GAZ Valdai, it was decided to take the cab and engine of the ZIL-3302 and install it on a modified ZIL-5301 chassis. After some prototypes were built, the project was not further developed.

Variants

• ZIL-118A: Ambulance version of ZIL-118.
• ZIL-119 (ZIL-118K): Modernized ZIL-118.
• ZIL-119A (ZIL-118KA): Ambulance version of ZIL-119.
• ZIL-3302: Prototype truck based on ZIL-119.

Notes

1. Thompson, Andy. Cars of the Soviet Union (Haynes Publishing, Somerset, UK, 2008), p.213.
2. "ЗиЛ 118 Юность". 13 May 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
3. (in Russian) ZIL-118 Yunost, De Agostini Avtolegendy SSSR series Nr.28
4. "ЗИЛ-118 "Юность"". Denisovets.ru. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
5. ^ Thompson, p.213.
6. "ZIL-119". Denisovets. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
7. "ЗИЛ-118: два поколения «Юности»". Stone Forest. 29 June 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
8. "История создания ЗИЛ-230100, самого маленького грузовика марки ЗИЛ - «Енот» – младший брат «Бычка» (Часть 1)". Gruzovnik Press. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
9. "История создания ЗИЛ-230100, самого маленького грузовика марки ЗИЛ - «Енот» – младший брат «Бычка» (Часть 2)". Gruzovnik Press. Retrieved 11 August 2024.

Sources

• Thompson, Andy. Cars of the Soviet Union. Somerset, UK: Haynes Publishing, 2008.

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