Taiga 680

Taiga 680 Sedan Executive (1975)

Rear-mounted engine

The Taiga 680 is a large executive vehicle produced by then-Soviet automobile manufacturer Taiga. It followed the previous generation's rear-engine V8 platform, improving upon its formula. The 680 and its iterations were usually only available to high-ranking officials in both the Russian SFSR as well as the Soviet satellite states.

## History

Building on the foundation set by the earlier Taiga 670, the 680 iterated upon the rear-engine layout. A brand new 3-liter V8 engine was constructed, specifically to be as compact as possible while still producing significant horsepower reliably. This meant the design opted for a 60-degree banking angle instead of the earlier 90-degree angle. Though the engine itself was larger, it was significantly narrower which allowed it to be placed lower in the frame.

The 680's engineering is inspired by that of the 670, albeit modernized. It opts for a steel monocoque and steel panels, giving it excellent rigidity overall. Double wishbone suspension was fitted on both the front and rear, as well as stiff front anti-roll bars. The rear wheels were cambered to 2.5 degrees, and the rear tires were 20 mm wider than the fronts. This increased overall stability massively.

The car's body, much like the chassis, iterates on the 670. While the car is much boxier, it still places emphasis on aerodynamics. The front of the car sees four headlights, complemented by a non-functional middle grille. The car is technically a bottom-breather, though most of the air sucked in through the below-bumper intakes are used for the car's air conditioning system. Following along the sides, a long chrome trim piece encompasses the entire vehicle. It has four doors, with electronic window controls for each window. Coming along to the rear is a rather conventional light setup, with recessed taillights featuring a license plate holder in between. On the trunk is a large air intake, which is where most of the cooling comes from. The 680 is air-cooled, meaning it has no radiator. Later models also feature additional heat-expelling vents below the rear bumper.

## Significance

The Taiga 680 was a very advanced vehicle for its time, both by Soviet and even international standards. The rear-engine layout provided excellent front-trunk space, as well as giving it spirited handling. The 1975 model's V8 engine produced 157 horsepower, a rather respectable figure in the early 1970's. Combined with its exceptionally light weight, the 680 showed excellent handling and agility even considering its size, and became popular in state-sponsored racing events.

Like its predecessor, the 680 was popular as a Soviet diplomatic vehicle. This meant it was reserved for government organs and persons, though some were still privately owned through special connections. It also enjoyed moderate success in western countries, though exports were very limited and usually only available through certain approved importers.

The 680 remained in production up until 1994. It had received several facelifts throughout its lifespan, but its engineering was becoming outdated and sales after the fall of the Soviet Union had decreased dramatically. Some government agencies continued to use the car afterwards regardless, with a small number still being in use, mostly as parade vehicles, as of 2021.