The latest EV concept to hit the web could give new meaning to the term “Tesla-killer.”

The Russian firm Kalashnikov, best known for profiting from the AK-47 assault rifle and other weapons of war, unveiled a prototype EV called the CV-1 at a recent defense expo near Moscow.

The CV-1’s retro look was inspired by a Soviet hatchback from the 1970s called Izh-Kombi. Kalashnikov says its “electric supercar” features a “revolutionary” inverter, and has a range of 217 miles.

“This technology will let us stand in the ranks of global electric car producers such as Tesla and be their competitor,” a Kalashnikov spokesperson told news agency RIA-Novosti. “We were inspired by the experience of global market leaders in developing our concept.”

The famous gun-maker has been trying to expand its brand – it recently launched a line of clothing and other merchandise from umbrellas to mobile phone covers. The company also created a bipedal “combat robot” named Igorek, which quickly became a popular theme of Russian social media memes.

Source: The Guardian