Despite the presentation, during which they showed drawings of future cars, a lot of industry news and rumors, today it is quite difficult to understand what the new Moskvich will be like. The reason is that conflicting information comes from the project participants. However, now we can assume in what direction the Moscow Automobile Plant will develop. It is more likely that he will start producing cars that will be presented in segments where there is little competition.
One of the options for future Moskvich models can be a station wagon. The domestic designer has published several renderings that reveal the potential appearance of such a car. Station wagons in Russia have always been in limited demand. This is partly due to the fact that such cars are more expensive than sedans. And not everyone is ready to overpay for a larger luggage compartment. But today there are optimal conditions for the Moskvich station wagon. Many players in this segment either left Russia or temporarily suspended the production of family cars. That is, the Moskvich station wagon, if such a model is really created, will not have direct competitors.
It is this reason that, perhaps, will force the Moscow Automobile Plant to launch the production of such a car. It is possible that budget crossovers will not be able to quickly return the investment. Despite the fact that the Russian market has lost many of these cars, the gaps that have arisen should soon be filled by Chinese models. “Moskvich” with a high degree of probability will not have time to complete the development of inexpensive crossovers before their counterparts from China arrive in Russia. Therefore, the release of the station wagon is one of the best options that will help restore the production process at the Moscow Automobile Plant.
In addition, Moskvich AZLK 2022-2023 corresponds to the logic of the recent KamAZ statement. Representatives of the Kama Automobile Plant denied previously published information that the new “Moskvich” will be converted models of the JAC brand. The presented station wagon is in no way similar to the cars of the Chinese company. However, the Moscow Automobile Plant will borrow from JAC the technology needed to create such a model. In particular, engines, transmissions and on-board equipment should be taken from a Chinese company.
Design
Visually, the new station wagon AZLK-2141 2022-2023 is similar to the Volvo V60. The Russian model, like the Swedish one, has smooth body parts, a strongly elongated front end and a stepped stern. However, a detailed analysis of the exterior shows that the new Moskvich has a unique design. The Russian station wagon has a sharper roof line, which, combined with the elongated front end, gives the car a dashing look. Also, the new Moskvich looks larger than the Volvo V60. That is, the domestic model can potentially be even more comfortable than the Swedish one, due to the larger amount of internal space.
At the same time, the new Moskvich is a car designed for long journeys, but on smooth asphalt. The designer has created a station wagon with too low ground clearance and relatively compact wheels that hide behind large arches. It is possible that the production model (if it appears) will eliminate these shortcomings. Moreover, the size of the arches allows you to install larger wheels.
The long hood hints that it hides a powerful engine. But, as shown above, the power units for the new Moskvich will most likely be supplied by JAC, which equips its cars with small engines. The hood of the Russian model has a noticeable bend and goes far enough forward. This decision, by the way, is typical not for Volvo, but for Mazda. The similarity with the models of the Japanese brand can also be traced in the fact that the radiator grille with head optics seems to be slightly recessed into the body.
The headlights of the Russian station wagon have the correct shape, which emphasizes the overall classic style chosen for the body of the presented car. This effect is complemented by LED strips laid from below. On published renders, they also stretch along the irregularly shaped grille, but they will be abandoned on a production car. The front bumper has a curved configuration that gives it a sporty look. On the sides, it has black plastic inserts, inside of which there are compact fog lights, and in the center there is a trapezoidal air intake.
Behind the new Moskvich AZLK 2022-2023 is more like a Volvo V60. But this stern design is typical of station wagons of the late 90s and early 2000s. That is, in the design of the rear of the body, there is also a commitment to the classic style. The Russian novelty received a large aft optics, part of which stretches along the perimeter of the window. The rear bumper is complemented by a wide plastic trim.
Specifications
The basis for the presented station wagon “Moskvich” can be the platform on which the JAC J7 is based. From this liftback to the Russian novelty, then power units and all available equipment will switch. That is, the station wagon AZLK-2141 2022-2023 will be equipped with a 1.5-liter engine, the maximum output of which reaches 136 hp. It is combined with a 6-speed manual transmission or CVT. However, the second option is less likely, since this box is of French origin.
Perhaps, especially for the station wagon, the developers will increase the output of the 1.5-liter engine to 150 hp, since this unit is supplemented by a turbine, and the car itself has more weight than the JAC J7.
Time to market
The Moskvich company has not yet announced any exact dates for the appearance of its models. More precisely, the manufacturer names the oriented dates, which can be shifted at any time. Therefore, if Moskvich really decides to create such a station wagon, its appearance can be expected no earlier than 2023. Author: Fedor Averiev
