Russia's first electric car that's raising eyebrows for all the wrong reasons
Russians have been endeavoring to rejuvenate their domestic automotive industry for the past several months. With the majority of Western manufacturers having abandoned Russia due to acts of aggression towards Ukraine and imposed economic sanctions, there clearly needed to be an alternative to fill the void.
6:07 AM EST, December 20, 2023
Several ideas were put forth - from launching Chinese and Iranian brands to repurposing the abandoned factories and tweaking them to accommodate local styles, to establishing new brands intended to lay the groundwork for a revitalized Russian car industry.
However, while some attempts have turned out to be more comedic than effective, the most recent endeavor of Russian technical thought induces more laughter than awe, somewhat reminiscent of the sudden appearance of this vehicle's headlamps. On that note, meet the Avtotor Amber - the first electric car made in Russia.
Describing the design of this vehicle in any positive light is a challenge. Some compari̇sons have been made to the Multipla, yet this could be seen as an insult to the Fiat, while others liken it to a dejected meme frog. But if we had to be unduly kind to this model, we could call it "original".
Countless features stand out - the tiny headlights, a peculiarly indented front, integrated steps in the sills, petty side windows, a pair of compact side doors, no windows at the rear of the car, disproportionately small wheels relative to the rest of the car, a hippo-inspired shape, and visible alignment issues with the parts - nothing seems to make sense.
Regardless, none of this matters. The significant fact to note is that this is a car constructed entirely from Russian-made components! Everything from the electric unit, batteries, and electronics, to the chassis is made in Russia. At least that's what Avtotor guarantees. Who are we to question these assurances?
Possibly, you can't wait to invest your savings into this Picasso of electric cars. Regrettably, we have to break some bad news - this is merely a prototype, and the final version is expected to look drastically different, supposedly much like a Mini.
We won't keep you in suspense for long regarding whether Russian designers will manage to create another distinctive model. As per their commitment, mass production of the Amber is expected to begin in 2025. No doubt the bar has been set incredibly high. The real question is - will Avtotor face a legal notice from Mini for alleged personal rights violations and satire crossing the boundaries of acceptable humor?
