There has been much discussion of this tank on the net, and I can tell you these are the points most who have closely studied images of the family of tanks:
Zulfiqar-1
1. 780hp engine- This is likely an error by foreign analyists, since the 780hp engine claimed by so many is the V46 engine used in early T-72 variants. However, this engine, no matter what tank uses it, has a very distinct side mounted exhausts which are not present on any version of the Zulfiqar. Close study of the engine exhaust and studying the hull suggests the engine is actually the Continental 1790 engine used in the M48/M60.
2. Tracks/Wheels- uses the same roadwheel and support wheels as the M48, and is believed to use a transmission and suspension based on the Patton tanks.
3. Cannon- Is indeed the 2A46 125mm cannon
4. Fire Control- Interior images of the tank are believed to show the Z-1 uses a Yugoslavian/Serbian Fire Control system
5. Weight- Is believed to be between 36-40 metric tons.
Zulfiqar-2
- Is believed to be the test bed/demonstrator of the Zulfiqar-3
Zulfiqar-3
- Design- Radically different than the original design, it was first paraded in 2002 and little has happened since. The design is very Abram-like including the following features:
1. Turret- Has large sloping surfaces that are more sloped than Abrams but from the front its looks very similar.
2. Hull- Is a stepped design (getting shorter as you get close to the front of the hull), broadly similar to Abrams
3. Wheels/Track- Has seven roadwheels just like the Abrams, and uses the same roadwheels as Z-1 and M60 Patton
4. Engine- Unknown, only clue is the two large exhausts in the rear just as with the Z-1 so it could also be powered by the 1790 engine (though it would likely make it very underpowered)
5. Cannon- Same as Z-1, 2A46 125mm cannon
The real question of the Zulfiqar tank family is if any of them has entered production or not. There is no evidence (such as images of production lines) of this and it isnt offered for export like many of Iran's military equipment (including the Boragh APC/IFV). The Z-3 likely hasnt entered production, it is only seen on parade on trailers and the ones shown look just as they did in 2002. Also, unlike the Z-1, the Zulfiqar-3 hasnt been in excercises or demonstrations so how operational it is no one knows. As a matter of fact, in June Iranian officials claimed they would unveil a new Zulfiqar variant in July and that turned out to be a bust.
