Wednesday 10th November 2010

Is The ZiL Limousine Back?

Say 'Zdravstvuj' (er, that's hello we think) to what could be Medvedev's new limo

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Russian president Dmitry Medvedev is said to be keen to revive the ZiL limousine, the car that was for decades the automotive symbol of Soviet authority, for government and diplomatic use.

This rather forbidding concept by the Slava Saakyan, the studio of former AMO ZiL designer Svyatoslav Sahakian is the response to these rumours.

Svyatoslav Sahakian, who we're told won the design contest for what would have been the next ZiL in 2001 but which never got beyond the concept stage, says he aimed to keeping the car modern, safe (note the absence of a back window - no back-of-the-head-assassinations in this car), and comfortable, but simple.

Old meets 'maybe'

It all sounds rather fantastical, but in a newly self-confident Russia we suppose anything is possible. According to presidential property department chief Vladimir Kozhin, the ZiL is definitely on the cards: "There is a presidential order to explore this." He says. "We are currently discussing [the ZiL limousine] with factories."

We say: Onwards in opulent limousine comfort, comrades! Let's show those decadent westerners how to make a real luxury car! Or something like that, anyway...

^{Source (and more pics): cardesign.ru}

[louiebaby]

The side profile looks just like a squared, widescreen version of a Rolls Royce Phantom...

[SystemParanoia]

Styled by Atari2600 !

[simonrockman]

There is something quite William Towns about it.

Simon

[AndrewW-G]

Looks like he took his inspiration, from RR's Spirit and Phantom and mixed it up with some AM Lagonda

[belleair302]

If anybody has ever driven in Moscow a Panzer Tank is the only way from A - B. Why on earth anybody would buy a Russian designed car is beyond me, all of the politicians (mobsters), are driven in 7 series, S Class or Rolls Royces, many armored plated and the others are in 4x4.

[ZOLLAR]

I actually quite like that not sure why?, I just do!.

[georgetuk]

It's weird but strangely nice.

Can't see production of it though, would be very difficult to get all those lines right without the seams.

[louismchuge]

That is, without doubt, the most menacing car I've ever seen!

[ZOLLAR]

georgetuk said:

It's weird but strangely nice.

Can't see production of it though, would be very difficult to get all those lines right without the seams.

Thats why I like it!, its very smoooth .

[Fetchez la vache]

AndrewW-G said:

Looks like he took his inspiration, from RR's Spirit and Phantom and mixed it up with some AM Lagonda

My thoughts exactly.
Needs to be longer though

[Smartass]

Fuggly, oddly proportioned and highly derivative.

I can't wait to see the Mansory version.

[dublet]

I'm sure this car was in Carmageddon.

[Mooster]

Fail

Looks like the unwanted lovechild of a RR Phantom with a 70's Lincoln TownCar, further stretched for added impracticality

Edited by Mooster on Wednesday 10th November 12:09

[Negative Creep]

dublet said:

I'm sure this car was in Carmageddon.

Or any mid-90's 3D game. Still kindof cool though

[MogulBoy]

Looks menacing enouigh in a cool kind of way but this is in no way a completely resoloved design... Why the vertical trailing edge of the rear passenger doors? It badly needs a D pillar too as the current render would put the rear seat occupants so far back, they couldn't see out sideways (although perhaps that's the point - sitting behing an armourned panel!).

[RicksAlfas]

You could put a lot of dead "comrades" in that boot!

[vit4]

That's evil. I like it.

[f1colin]

Lagonda V8 saloon with RR Phantom nose methinks. A bit like the lovechild of Victoria Beckham and Alan Partidge...

[hughcam]

That looks soooooo Sleak!!

[mikefacel]

simonrockman said:

There is something quite William Towns about it.

Simon

Thought the same thing as soon as I saw it. Quite like it, perhaps make the boot a bit shorter. Either that or put a swimming pool with some Russian girls there.

Edited by mikefacel on Wednesday 10th November 12:40