The futuristic AZLK Moskvich-2144 “Istra” concept car was a bold look into the future of motoring, but it never saw mass production.
The development of the “Istra” concept began in 1985 at the AZLK (Automobile Plant named after Leninsky Komsomol) plant under the leadership of Alexander Kulikov. The goal of the project was to create a car for the year 2000 that would combine advanced technology, outstanding aerodynamics and innovative solutions. The only prototype was completed around 1988 and represented the pinnacle of engineering knowledge of the Moscow Automobile Plant at that time.
The car body was revolutionary for its time. It was made of lightweight and durable duralumin, which helped reduce weight. In terms of design, the “Istra” stood out with extremely smooth lines, which provided it with an incredibly low drag coefficient of only 0,149. One of the most recognizable features was the huge “gull-wing” style liftgate, which provided access to both rows of seats at the same time and replaced the classic B-pillar.
The technical specifications were also advanced. The prototype was 4400 mm long, 1700 mm wide and 1335 mm high. Powertrain details vary; one version states the installation of a three-liter permanent turbodiesel engine from the German company Elsbett, which is said to be extremely economical. Other sources mention a 2,5-liter gasoline engine with a mechanical supercharger, which is said to develop around 78 kW (106 hp), which would allow the vehicle to reach speeds of up to 191 km/h.
The interior and safety equipment were also ahead of their time. The “Istra” was equipped with ABS, airbags and seat belt pretensioners. Engineers also planned to install a head-up display and a night vision system, which was a real science fiction in the mid-1980s. All these innovations indicated a serious attempt to create a safe and technologically advanced vehicle.
Despite all its promising features and innovative solutions, the Moskvich-2144 “Istra” never made it beyond the prototype stage. Economic difficulties in the Soviet Union in the late 1980s and early 1990s prevented further development and the launch of expensive serial production. The project, like many others at the time, was abandoned.
The only produced example of this unique vehicle was long kept in the museum of the AZLK factory. Today, this monument to a bygone but visionary time is on display at the Museum of Retro Cars in Moscow, where it bears witness to the bold dreams of Soviet automotive engineers who wanted to reach for the stars, but the system and financial realities of the company did not allow them to do so.
