1990 Moskvitch-2141
The Moskvitch 2141, commonly referred to as simply Aleko (Russian: "АЛЕКО", derivative from factory name "Автомобильный завод имени Ленинского Комсомола",Avtomobilnyi zavod imeni Leninskogo Komsomola, meaning "Automotive Factory of Lenin's Komsomol"), is a Russian mid-size car that was first announced in 1985 and sold in the Soviet Union and its successor states between 1986 and 2003 (gradually replaced in 2001 by its sedan body version, Moskvitch 2142, which never was produced in large quantities and which worldwide sales wasn't even started) by the now bankrupt Moskvitch Stock Company, based in Moscow, Russia.
Aleko was a huge improvement over previous Moskvitch models, which were dependable but old-fashioned saloons and station wagons (estates) with rear-wheel drive and a solid rear axle. In fact, Aleko had no common parts with previous models apart from the engine and some other minor details and parts.
For Moskvitch, Aleko was innovative, having front-wheel drive, a hatchback body style, MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion-crank rear suspension. The wheelbase went up almost 20 centimetres (7.9 in), the body got 14 centimetres (5.5 in) wider, the wheel size went up one inch (14 inches). The car became more spacious, comfortable and safe. For the first time in the history of Russian car making, the car's profile was optimized for aerodynamics, with the help of Russian and French aircraft and space engineers. The officially reported by factory drag coefficient is 0.35.
The car originated as a front-wheel drive "proof of concept", based on foreign models. In the late 1970s Moskvitch bought about two dozen compact cars built by different manufacturers, and thoroughly tested them. French and Swedish cars were favored for their utility and reliability. The final decision was made by the Minister of Automobile Industry, who surprisingly for the factory chose the French Simca 1307 as the best candidate to copy from.
Some of the last Moskvitch models to be built were the somewhat upgraded Aleko which was renamed to Svjatogor (models M-214122, M-214100, M-214145) and the M-2142,Dolgorukij, (1997–2002), were also based on the design of M-2141.
Aleko was a huge improvement over previous Moskvitch models, which were dependable but old-fashioned saloons and station wagons (estates) with rear-wheel drive and a solid rear axle. In fact, Aleko had no common parts with previous models apart from the engine and some other minor details and parts.
For Moskvitch, Aleko was innovative, having front-wheel drive, a hatchback body style, MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion-crank rear suspension. The wheelbase went up almost 20 centimetres (7.9 in), the body got 14 centimetres (5.5 in) wider, the wheel size went up one inch (14 inches). The car became more spacious, comfortable and safe. For the first time in the history of Russian car making, the car's profile was optimized for aerodynamics, with the help of Russian and French aircraft and space engineers. The officially reported by factory drag coefficient is 0.35.
The car originated as a front-wheel drive "proof of concept", based on foreign models. In the late 1970s Moskvitch bought about two dozen compact cars built by different manufacturers, and thoroughly tested them. French and Swedish cars were favored for their utility and reliability. The final decision was made by the Minister of Automobile Industry, who surprisingly for the factory chose the French Simca 1307 as the best candidate to copy from.
Some of the last Moskvitch models to be built were the somewhat upgraded Aleko which was renamed to Svjatogor (models M-214122, M-214100, M-214145) and the M-2142,Dolgorukij, (1997–2002), were also based on the design of M-2141.
