A Kalashnikov Electric Car

[BritDownUnder]

The Grauniad had this story today. It had me checking it was not April Fools Day.

The Russian arms maker Kalashnikov has unveiled its new electric car, inspired by a rare 1970s model, saying the technology will rival Elon Musk’s Tesla.

The brand, best known for the AK-47 machine gun, on Thursday presented the retro-looking pale blue prototype, the CV-1, at a defence expo outside Moscow.

The look was inspired by a Soviet hatchback model developed in the 1970s called “Izh-Kombi�, according to a statement on the Kalashnikov website.

Its holding company, Kalashnikov Concern, said it had developed cutting-edge elements for the “electric supercar�, including a “revolutionary� inverter. The vehicle can travel 217 miles (350km) on one charge.

[Little John]

Do you know what. It had me thinking it was an Aril fool's day joke as well. Especially the other story about their bipedal star wars "walker".

As for the car, I like the look of it. It looks like an old Lada Riva. The only car, I ever bought brand new.

[BritDownUnder]

I did see the 'walker' as well.

I would call the car's style 'Soviet Retro'.
Not sure what the Russians think of it. I have only been to Russia once and you would not have seen this style of car in Moscow, only modern 'Western' cars. Outside of Moscow you would have only seen cars like this.
The only place in the world I have seen 80 octane fuel on sale.

Very interesting place Russia.

[kenneal - lagger]

They obviously see their market as Putin supporters rather than the Moscow glitteratti.

[BritDownUnder]

I note it has two windscreen wipers. From memory some Ladas had only one for the drivers side.