Kalashnikov takes aim at Tesla with Soviet-style car

Kalashnikov's CV-1 prototype is modelled on a 1973 Soviet hatchback.

Russian defence business Kalashnikov has unveiled an electric car prototype which it says will rival cars produced by Tesla.

The company, which is best known for its AK-47 rifles, said that its CV-1 car will travel up to 350km on a single charge of its 90-kilowatt-hour battery.

"This technology will let us stand in the ranks of global electric car producers such as Tesla and be their competitor", a spokesman for Kalashnikov Concern said.

Kalashnikov's electric car is modelled on a 1973 Soviet hatchback, the IZh 2125 "Kombi". No release date has been given for the car, which remains at the concept stage.

The prototype was unveiled at the Army-2018 Forum defence conference outside Moscow. Earlier this week, the company announced a prototype for a 13-foot military robot which can walk on two legs.

Kalashnikov has sought to diversify its product line away from the AK-47 assault rifle, which it released in 1949. Since then, the company has unveiled products including boats, drones and clothing.

There have been an increasing number of electric car businesses looking to compete with market leader Tesla in recent years. Nio, a Chinese competitor, filed last week to go public on the New York Stock Exchange in an offering that could raise US$1.8 billion ($2.7b) for the business.