Moscow (AFP) - Russian arms maker Kalashnikov on Thursday presented its new electric car inspired by a rare 1970s model, saying the new technology will rival Elon Musk's Tesla. The brand, best known for the AK-47 machine gun, presented the decidedly retro-looking pale blue prototype, the CV-1, at a defense expo outside Moscow. The look was inspired by a Soviet hatchback model developed in the 1970s called "Izh-Kombi," a statement on the Kalashnikov website said. Holding company Kalashnikov Concern said it has developed some cutting-edge elements for the "electric supercar", including a "revolutionary" inverter. The vehicle can travel 350 kilometres on one charge. "We are developing our own concept of an electric supercar, which is based on several original systems developed by the concern," the firm said. "This technology will let us stand in the ranks of global electric car producers such as Tesla and be their competitor," RIA-Novosti further quoted the Kalashnikov press-service as saying. "We were inspired by the experience of global market leaders in developing our concept." Kalashnikov Concern has long been trying to expand its brand, recently launching lines of clothing and other civilian merchandise ranging from umbrellas to mobile phone covers. Its foray into electric vehicles however was met with mixed reactions from Russians. Comments to the news on the company's official Facebook page ranged from "cyberpunk" to "Izh-Zombie". "Your tanks are great, but it would be better if you stayed away from cars," one user wrote. Earlier this week, online users ridiculed Kalashnikov's new bipedal combat robot. The golden-colour machine, reportedly named "Igorek" in production stages, immediately became a subject of social media memes. "Somebody had watched too much 'Robocop'," tweeted user happy__keanu, referring to the 1987 action film about a cyborg law enforcer. https://www.yahoo.com/news/move-over-musk-kalashnikov-unveils-electric-supercar-162854131.html
Nothing is more conducive to marketing your new electric vehicle than a few racks of AK-47s in the background. "You vill buy this car, comrade, and you vill love it...or else."
Hey there. The Yugo, while ugly, is based on a Fiat 127 which was actually an ok looking little car before they managed to make it look ungainly (and it is just the little details - not a big difference, but a real 127 can actually look cute in real life, the Yugo, not so much). The AK-Electric however comes pre-designed ungainly and ugly. You could argue that it is a re-design of the Fiat 124 wagon, but the wagon was never the best looking 124 even when it was a Fiat.
...The quality of the Yugo was horrible compared to the Fiat and once Yugo pulled out of US sales you couldn't give one away because there were no more dealers and no parts to be found...well unless of course, you were living in Yugoslavia...lol. http://www.librarypoint.org/yugo_vuic
...I had a bad ass Rambler/Nash/AMC 1970 Javelin AMX with a Ford 390 and a Chrysler tranny and Pistol Grip shifter...scary fast.
That is one ugly "Lada". Knowing Russian machinery, it is simple and it is durable. I once had a 73 FIAT. That was the most undependable car ever made.
They were sleepers. The engine wasn't a 390 Ford engine though as it was designed and manufactured by AMC. I was surprised when I ran up against one on Sandy Blvd just outside of the Hollywood district when I had a 1968 427 cid Mercury Cougar. Although I beat him fairly easily I was surprised how quick it was.
Edit: Where's my post? Oh well, here it is again The aerodynamics are wonderful and the styling screams out "Pick me, pick me, pick me".
