The company that gave the world the AK-47 assault rifle has announced plans to take on Elon Musk in the electric vehicle industry.
Russian arms giant Kalashnikov unveiled its concept electric car model at a major defence expo outside of Moscow yesterday.
The retro pale-blue prototype is modelled on a 1970s hatchback called the Kombi, produced by Soviet Manufacturer Izh.
Describing the CV-1 concept as an “electric supercar,” the company said it includes cutting edge elements including a “revolutionary” converter.
It said the car can travel 350km on a single charge and it can go from zero to 100kph in six seconds.
The Kalashnikov CV-1. Image: Kalashnikov Media
The Kalashnikov CV-1. Image: Kalashnikov Media
The car was unveiled at the ARMY Forum – which describes itself as the “world's leading exhibition of arms and military equipment.”
Numerous reports from the expo quote the company as claiming the technology will "let us stand in the ranks of global electric car producers such as Tesla."
The car is still at the concept stage and has yet to receive a price-tag.
The company also developed an electric motorcycle it said can hit speeds of 90km/h and can travel for up to 150km on a single charge.
The Kalashnikov SM-1. Image: Kalashnikov Media
The Kalashnikov SM-1. Image: Kalashnikov Media
Kalashnikov was founded by firearm inventor Mikhail Kalashnikov, who died at the age of 94 in 2013.
He invented his flagship assault rifle in 1947 shortly after the end of the Second World War.
Later versions of the simple but effective weapon remain a mainstay of Russia’s armed forces 70 years after it was first introduced.
Today it is believed there are more than 100 million of the rifles in use worldwide.
The relatively cheap weapon continues to work in a range of terrains that cause problems for more advanced weaponry – making it a popular choice for armies, militants, jihadists and criminals around the world.
Today the weapon is said to be responsible for the deaths of 250,000 people every year.
Before his death he spoke of his pain at seeing it used by criminals and soldiers in war-torn region worldwide.
