Friday 24th August 2018

Kalashnikov launches electric car

Yes, you read that right, the maker of the world's deadliest assault rifle has its sights set on Tesla

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It's estimated that there are over 75 million AK47s in the world, a number equal to one fifth of the planet's entire cache of firearms. But despite owning the rights to such a lucrative product - even 70 years after its creation, it still enjoys a 20 per cent share of the market - manufacturer Kalashnikov is looking to diversify.

To help it in this quest it has announced the CV-1, a battery-powered electric car which, in true Kalashnikov fashion, is based on a decades-old Soviet design. Unveiled at this week's International Military Technical Forum (alongside a manned, 4.5 tonne, bipedal military robot named Igorek, because Russia) the CV-1 takes its cues from the Izh 2125 Combi a 1.5-litre, 70hp machine first produced in 1973.

Unlike its forebear, however, the CV-1 will use modular battery technology and a "revolutionary inverter" design for an output of around 300hp and a range of 217 miles.

"This technology will let us stand in the ranks of global electric car producers such as Tesla and be their competitor" the company stated. If it's half as successful as Kalashnikov's most infamous creation, it'll do far more than that.

[Hansgerd]

Is it April 1st today ?

[geeks]

Love the retro look and notice its shod with R888R's got to love those mentalists! If they launch it and if it looks like this I will certainly ponie up for one as it would be just hilarious!

[kambites]

That's taking the whole modern trend for retro cars a step further. They've even replicated 1970s Austin panel gaps.

[HorneyMX5]

geeks said:

Love the retro look and notice its shod with R888R's got to love those mentalists! If they launch it and if it looks like this I will certainly ponie up for one as it would be just hilarious!

I spotted the R888Rs as well, must be needed to handle all of that instant torque.

[ElectricSoup]

There is no way a 70s Moskvich design will pass European safety standards and gain approval for sale. No way. Surely.

[Iamnotkloot]

Wtf?

[KP328]

Judging by the panel gap on the boot it could rival my Defender for letting water in every time it rains.

[geeks]

ElectricSoup said:

There is no way a 70s Moskvich design will pass European safety standards and gain approval for sale. No way. Surely.

Almost certainly not, but we can but hope, all the criticism that goes on around PH for the latest "Euro boxes" this is refreshing if a bit comical!

[geeks]

HorneyMX5 said:

geeks said:

Love the retro look and notice its shod with R888R's got to love those mentalists! If they launch it and if it looks like this I will certainly ponie up for one as it would be just hilarious!

I spotted the R888Rs as well, must be needed to handle all of that instant torque.

ElectricSoup said:

There is no way a 70s Moskvich design will pass European safety standards and gain approval for sale. No way. Surely.

Almost certainly not, but we can but hope, all the criticism that goes on around PH for the latest "Euro boxes" this is refreshing if a bit comical!

[matbat]

/Checks date...

Look at those shutlines! Must have had some help from BLMC

[Resolutionary]

I've reviewed the recreation DB5 thread, the article about the golden Porsche, the Audi PB18.. and yet this of all things perks my interest. What a splendid looking thing. It's like a tuners take on the electric car; take one old boxy Lada / Escort type thing, add some stickies and white alloys, do up the front, add batteries - et voila!

[Fury1630]

"the CV-1 will use modular battery technology"

On a point of order, aren't ALL batteries modular? About 1.5v per module.

I like the style, but with that front wheel gap, it's going to have the turning circle of a supertanker.

[austinsmirk]

Mrs AS has a Leaf. I/we love it.

without a doubt I'd have that though- its much better looking !!!

50 mph top speed is a bit useless though- if I read that right.

[D-Angle]

That is absolutely fking glorious

[chazwozza]

I love the looks!!

[aeropilot]

I'd like to know what makes an AK-47 more 'deadly' than any other make of assault rifle........

[Ziplobb]

Its an excellent brand name and I am sure the 100 million users of one of their other products/design will tesify the same. If only 1% deceided they wante the new product then thats 1 million customers straight off and a fantastic business

[TroubledSoul]

Amazing. Looks like some sort of MK2 Escort rip off

[Petrol_fumes]

... I think this looks utterly fantastic. Want

[Scrump]

aeropilot said:

I'd like to know what makes an AK-47 more 'deadly' than any other make of assault rifle........

More people killed by an AK-47 than by any other assault rifle... is my guess.