Elon Musk's Tesla faces a new and unexpected challenger from weapons giant Kalashnikov. The company has unveiled a design for its new electric car, although its retro style has received mixed reviews on social media.
The powder-blue prototype, dubbed the CV-1, was unveiled by the Russian arms maker at a defense expo outside of Moscow.
Kalashnikov Concern told Russian media that the technology within its "electric supercar" will rival that of Elon Musk's Tesla.
"This technology will allow us to stand in line with the world's electric car manufacturers, like Tesla, and compete with them," a spokesperson told Sputnik.
According to the company, the vehicle can travel 350 kilometers (217 miles) on a single charge.
Kalashnikov says the technology in its new electric car will rival that of TeslaImage: Kalaschnikow Media
Design raises eyebrows
The car's retro look was inspired by a Soviet hatchback model developed in the 1970s, the "Izh-Kombi," Kalashnikov said in a statement on its website.
The CV-1's light blue color, large grill, retro door handles and boxy frame have received mixed reviews from Russians.
On social media, some described the car as "cyberpunk" while others referred to it as the "Izh-Zombie."
"Your tanks are great, but it would be better if you stayed away from cars," one user wrote on the company's official Facebook page.
The company also faced online ridicule after it released images of a new bipedal combat robot that is still in the production stage. Some compared the golden-colored robot with guns for arms to those used in the Star Wars movie franchise.
Kalashnikov Concern has been trying to expand its brand for several years, branching out into civilian merchandise including clothing lines, umbrellas and mobile phone covers.
The Soviet Union is dead, but its weapons live on
Cold War armaments still serve as staples of armies across the world, with Eastern bloc designs outlasting the system they were created to protect. DW looks at some of the best-known Soviet-made weapons.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Kovalev
Seven decades of Kalashnikov
The 30-round AK 47 is arguably the most recognizable firearm in the world. The Soviet engineer Mikhail Kalashnikov (pictured above in 2002) created the automatic rifle after World War II. It quickly earned a reputation for being cheap and reliable, with various armies, guerilla groups and street gangs all using the weapon to this day.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/S.Thomas
Makarov goes to space
The 9mm Makarov pistol entered service in 1951 as a staple sidearm for the Soviet army, police and Spetsnaz special forces. Soviet cosmonauts even took the weapon to space as a part of a special survival kit, which was provided to them in case they became stranded upon landing back on Earth.
Image: Imageo
MiG-29 still flying high
The Mikoyan MiG-29 first entered production in the early 1980s and was praised as a highly maneuverable and agile dogfighter. The original model has since been upstaged by both NATO fighters and its more expensive brother Sukhoi, but its variants are still deployed in combat. The Russian air force uses MiG-29s to target the so-called "Islamic State" forces in Syria.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/L. Marina
Blast from the past
The Red Army used Katyushas to devastating effect against German soldiers in World War II. The multiple rocket launchers were attached to army trucks, making them cheap and highly mobile. Its distinctive whine and appearance reminded the German soldiers of a church organ, prompting a nickname "Stalinorgel" or "Stalin's organ."
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/H.Brix
S-300 and its descendants
In 2016, Russia sold its advanced aerial defense system to Iran, but kept quiet on the details. The Cold War-era version of the S-300 had a range of 150 kilometers (93 miles), and could hit targets at altitudes above 27 kilometers, with the more modern Antey 2500 system reportedly expanding the range to 400 kilometers. India and China are seeking to buy the even-more-advanced S-400 missiles.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/D. Rogulin
Dragunov sniper rifle
The Dragunov sniper rifle was first introduced to the Soviet army in 1963 and has since found its way to war theaters across the world. It was reportedly used against US soldiers in Vietnam. In 2015, the SITE Intelligence Group published photos of the "Islamic State" soldiers with Dragunov rifles.
Image: Imago
T-34, a symbol of an era
The Red Army owes much of its victory over Germany to the iconic T-34, which first appeared on the battlefield in 1941. The battle-tested T-34 eventually became the most widely produced tank of the war and influenced armored vehicles for decades. The Russian military still honors it by having it lead the Victory Day parade.
