Automotive

Kalashnikov aims to take it up to Tesla with retro-styled "electric supercar"

View 9 Images
Kalashnikov's CV-1 electric car would have a range of 217 mi (350 km)
Bumper detail on Kalashnikov's retro-style CV-1
Rear bumper detail on Kalashnikov's retro-style CV-1
Kalashnikov's CV-1 electric car would have a range of 217 mi (350 km)
Kalashnikov's retro-style vehicle is billed as an “electric supercar"
It is best known for its infamous AK-47 assault rifle, but Russian manufacturing firm Kalashnikov is keen to show it’s no-one trick pony
Kalashnikov says its CV-1 electric car concept apparently features a "revolutionary" inverter
The appearance of the CV-1 is inspired by the Izh-Kombi
Door handle on Kalashnikov's CV-1 electric car
Rims on Kalashnikov's CV-1 electric car
View gallery - 9 images

It might be best known for its infamous AK-47 assault rifle, but Russian manufacturing firm Kalashnikov is keen to show it's no-one trick pony. Its latest departure from the business of weapon-making comes in the form of a retro-looking electric car, with the technology inside claimed to be capable of rivaling a certain stateside competitor.

The boxy, baby blue sedan was rolled out to the media at a defence expo near Moscow on August 23, joining a number of other offbeat prototype vehicles in the company's stable, with a hoverbike and an electric all-terrain police bike a couple of recent examples.

Dubbed the CV-1, the electric car's appearance is inspired by the Izh-Kombi, a small Soviet car built for families in the 1970s. It might look a little dated on the outside, but Kalashnikov says it is packing some modern tech on the inside, including an inverter it describes as "revolutionary."

Kalashnikov's retro-style vehicle is billed as an “electric supercar"

Billed as an "electric supercar," the company claims a fully developed CV-1 would have a range of 217 mi (350 km), putting it on par with the Tesla Model 3. There's little information available on other aspects of its performance or plans for production, but the company does seem to think it can match it with the very best.

"This technology will let us stand in the ranks of global electric car producers such as Tesla and be their competitor," said a Kalashnikov spokesperson according to The Guardian. "We were inspired by the experience of global market leaders in developing our concept."

Source: Kalashnikov via The Guardian

View gallery - 9 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
13 comments
Mik-Fielding
I can't help laughing over this! It looks a complete mess and about as streamlined as a brick, what were they thinking? I'm wondering if their answer to the Tesla Model 3 will be based upon the Trabant ...
Grumpyrelic
I can see it now,,,, "don't mess with me punk, I got a couple of Kalashnikovs ..." Somehow driving a vehicle with the aerodynamics of a brick has a certain "je ne sais quoi" attraction about it.
Scott McG
I would like to give the benefit of the doubt to the manufacturer. Certainly, the exterior is dated and quite ugly by today's standards. Perhaps it really has some state of the art technology in it. What is really casting a shadow of suspicion on this is that they did not even dare to show the interior. On a Tesla, the interior is very modern and impressive. I suspect this will look like an old Lada.
DavidB
If you're more than about 40 years old, you have to love the door handles, though. A thumb button AND a key hole?
The only thing this car seems to be missing, in terms of retro styling, is wing vents and fins. Add those, and I might HAVE to sign up.
KimW
Does it come with him & hers AK’S?
ridgetopboy
Another triumph of Soviet era styling...NOT! Don't they have anything in their pencil drawers other than a ruler? At least we've solved the mystery of who bought Volvo's old design studio.
Trylon
Don't need quite so much to compete with Tesla anymore. The company and its founder are on the verge of a full-fledged meltdown.
Mr T
I'm still betting this is someone's idea of a joke. A huge battery (It has a 95kWh battery, supposedly) and gets 320km? 0-60mph in 6 seconds is supposed to be a supercar to rival a Tesla? These people are smoking something really good if they are actually serious about this.
CAVUMark
Beautifully Russian
Joe1962
I'd swear there's a Moskvich body hidden under some slight cosmetic changes... :-O