For this week’s Weird Wednesday we present the mighty 8X8 Avtoros Shaman.
The Russian Avtoros Shaman 8X8 has been doing the rounds on the internet lately and we thought it would make for a classic Weird Wednesday vehicle. You can see full layout options and images of the Avtoros Shaman here, and you can even configure your own vehicle. With a genuine 8X8 drive system, and steering through both sets of front wheels (no skid-steer here, folks), there’s no doubt the Shaman is a pretty nuts bit of kit, and is wildly capable off-road. Check it out in this video:
The Shaman is available in two main models – the Hunter and the Tourist, and they both feature a central driving position with either eight separate seats or two full-length benches. The benches can also be converted into bedding for up to four people. Both versions of the Shaman come are powered by a 122kW Iveco F1C turbo-diesel engine. Overall length of the Shaman is 6.3m with a width of 2.5m. This gives it a claimed incline/decline angle of up to 45 degrees, and also a claimed side angle of up to 47 degrees (scary stuff, eh?!). Having the wheels right at the front and rear of the Avtoros Shaman means that the approach and departure angles are essentially 90 degrees – this thing can and will climb walls.
Did we mention that it swims too? The Avtoros Shaman will comfortably do 7km/h across water utilising its massive 1200 x 600mm tyres as motivation. Those tyres are mounted to 21-inch diameter wheels.
With a choice in colour of white, orange or… white, the base-spec Shaman will set you back a measly 183,000 Euros (A$290,000), or up to 222,238 Euros (A$353,000) for the everything. We’re pretty sure this thing would make the ultimate Gulf adventure rig… especially seeing as how you could go fishing from the bonnet!
