Russian arms maker Kalashnikov which is best know for the AK-47 machine gun has decided to make electric cars which are inspired by a rare 1970s model, saying the new technology will rival Elon Musk’s Tesla.
The EV is based on Kalashnikov’s own concept of an electric supercar, which is based on several original systems developed by the concern. This technology will let the company stand in the ranks of global electric car producers such as Tesla and be their competitor.
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.
The look of the EV is inspired by a Soviet hatchback model developed in the 1970s called “Izh-Kombi “and the prototype is named as CV-1.
The company refused to disclose the likely timing of the creation of the consumer model of the electric vehicle CV-1 and its possible price.
The concept car is equipped with a 90 kilowatt-hour battery. The electric car can reach 500 kilowatts at peak, and the range is 350 miles. Tesla Model 3 2018 release can travel on a single charge 500 kilometers and has a battery of 85 kilowatt-hours.
The last presented model can move at a speed of 80 kilometers per hour. “Kalashnikov” however has no plans to build its own network of charging stations.
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.
Reference- News18, Kalashnikov website, The Siver Post