Russian company Kalashnikov is mostly known for rifles and military equipment, but it is also involved in the automotive sector developing their own electric vehicles. The Kalashnikov Izh UV-4 four-door EV made its first appearance back in 2018 in prototype form but a set of patent images that surfaced recently hint at a possible production version, alongside a more compact two-door version with three wheels. Kalashnikov’s history with electric cars began in 2018 when the company presented the retro-styled Electric CV-1 Concept, while a spokesperson stated their interest to compete with Tesla. The Izh UV-4 electric prototype followed later in the same year, with a taxi variant debuting in a 2019 event in Moscow.
The latest images that appeared in
Russia’s patent office reveal that the UV-4 hasn’t changed much, retaining the
odd shape that makes it look like an oversized Renault Twizy, the exposed
wheels, and the military-style doors. The vehicle has a small footprint
measuring 3.4 m in length, 1.5m in width, and 1.7m in height. Equipment is
expected to be basic but it will still include air conditioning, heating, a
digital instrument cluster, an infotainment screen, and adjustable suspension.
Previous reports by the company suggested
a power output of up to 67 hp allowing for a top speed of 80
km/h thanks to the low weight of 650 kg. Kalashnikov
didn’t reveal figures for the battery but back in 2019, they claimed it was
enough for a 150 km range. Another plus is the “low fire and
explosion hazard in the event of an accident” that was mentioned in the
official press release for the taxi variant.
Moving on to the next, yet-unnamed,
vehicle, it features similar styling to the UV-4, but with a significantly
shorter body and wheelbase, and most importantly featuring one less wheel at
the rear axle. The electric three-wheeler looks like it is sharing the front
end with its four-wheeled brother but it has a more rounded shape and no doors,
leaving the cabin exposed. Inside there is room for two passengers and some
luggage. It is also sharing the same dashboard layout with the UV-4 but this
one also comes with a sunroof.
Kalashnikov hasn’t provided a timeline on
the market launch of their electric vehicles, but given that we have been
seeing full-size prototypes for the past three years, we wouldn’t be surprised
if an official announcement followed sometime in the coming months.
