Electric Shock: Russia's Amber Prototype Aims for the 'Ugliest Car' Crown

In the vast, frostbitten lands of Russia, where vodka flows more freely than water and bears are considered mere pets, an audacious new project has emerged from the depths of ingenuity—or perhaps, from a quirky designer’s fever dream. Meet Amber, Russia’s latest contribution to the electric car revolution, a prototype that seems hell-bent on snatching the “World’s Ugliest Car” title from the Fiat Multipla.

Let’s set the scene: Amidst the whirring of machines and the scent of fresh innovation, someone at the Moscow Polytechnic University (known for concocting everything except actual polytechnics) decided that the world needed another electric car. But not just any electric car—oh no, this one had to be special. Enter Amber, a vehicle so unique in its design that it prompts the question, “Was the designer sober?” The answer, shockingly, is yes.

Amber, which oddly sounds more like the name of a retro disco club than a car, falls into a category that includes four-wheeled mopeds and other light vehicles. It’s as if someone looked at a go-kart, sighed deeply, and said, “Let’s slap some Lada Vesta parts on this and call it a day.” This marvel of engineering boasts a frame-panel construction, where tubes form a supporting structure to which body panels—planned to be made of composite materials—are attached. It’s like a high-tech version of building with LEGO, only slightly more complex.

The development of Amber is spearheaded by the aforementioned university, an institution apparently renowned for creating small urban vehicles, or perhaps just for confusing car enthusiasts globally. Production is slated for the “Автотор” factory in Kaliningrad, a place known more for its intriguing history than its car manufacturing prowess.

Currently, the specialists (who, we hope, are as bewildered as we are) have finished the pre-series prototype, with plans to assemble five test models next year. The launch of new electric car production is ambitiously set for the fourth quarter of next year. It’s a significant step in Russia’s electric vehicle development, showcasing a growing interest in eco-friendly transport, or perhaps just a fondness for eccentric designs.

However, it’s worth noting that recent Russian automotive developments tend to be simple in construction, complex to produce, relatively impractical, and priced like a spaceship. Perhaps this is Russia’s way of reminding us that in the land of the extraordinary, anything is possible—even a car that challenges the conventional notions of beauty and functionality.

In conclusion, the Amber electric car is not just a vehicle; it’s a bold statement. It says, “Yes, we can make cars too, and they will be as unique as a Siberian winter.” Stay tuned for more updates on this electrifying (pun intended) venture.