The UAZ Simba are two different UAZ designed 4ÃÂ2 or 4ÃÂ4 wheel drive minibus concepts with the same name created in 1999 and 2002 respectively. The production launches of these two minibuses have been cancelled. The Simba has a wheelbase of and is a combination of a 7-9-person van and an SUV. It shares many common components with UAZ-3162 SUV. Simba family prototypes were shown at the Moscow Auto Salon from 1999 to 2005, but did not reach production for financial reasons.
The Simba was based on an enhanced UAZ Simbir platform. The Simba family provided for the modification of a long wheelbase which contained a rear overhang. The Simba's roof was taller than the Simbir's, which allowed to increase the capacity up to 13 passengers. UAZ-3165 was planning on offering one petrol engine, the UFG 249.10, or the turbo-diesel ZMZ-5143.10, producing respectively. The only transmission option was to have been a manual 5-speed gearbox. The gross vehicle weight (GVR) was 3 tons, maximum speed .
Several prototypes have been presented at the car shows: