In the mid-eighties, the production program of Soviet car companies included models such as Lada Niva, Lada 2107, Moskvich Aleko or UAZ 469. The Moskvich 2144 Istra concept, created at the AZLK factory, was a real revelation in 1985.
The real reason for building a lower middle class sedan (or coupe?) was the Soviet government's project to create a car for the year 2000 . And the group led by designer AV Kulikov actually created it. Moskvich 2144 with the later added designation Istra was first developed in a series of scale models up to 1:4 scale , after which a mathematical model was created with the help of a computer and this was then used in the production of a 1:1 scale model car with a white body color. After several years of development, in 1985 the Istra was ready to "drive out" from the factory. For another 3 years, development allegedly took place, during which the second prototype was created. Both cars differ in body color (one beige and the other white) and the beige piece has also lost its rear-view mirrors.
But back to 1985, when 2144 was introduced for the first time, and it must be noted that they probably never saw anything like it in the Soviet Union at the time. The two-door model with a light aluminum body is strictly aerodynamic and catches the eye with the contrast of the dark-colored headlights and light body. Opening the door to the four-seater interior is absolutely shocking – almost the entire side of the car slides up, which guarantees a comfortable entry for all passengers. After boarding, there is another shock.
Anyone expecting an interior modeled after the cars of the time with a large amount of plastic and without any electronics must be surprised. The Istra has not only a digital instrument panel , but also something that nowadays could be described as a multimedia system with a relatively large screen. The two-spoke steering wheel, like the space in front of the passenger, is equipped with an airbag, and all seats have pyrotechnic seat belt pretensioners . The equipment also includes ABS and air conditioning, but the 2144 still hides the greatest technical finesse. In reduced visibility or perhaps at night, the surroundings of the car are monitored by scanners , which project images onto a screen on the center panel and from that are projected onto a holographic display on the windshield (similar to today's head-up display). I remind you, we are in the mid-eighties!
The elegant body has a length of 4400 mm , a width of 1700 mm, a height of 1335 mm and a wheelbase of 2550 mm. Another electronic helper is noteworthy – the air suspension is equipped with a system that monitors vehicle speed and road conditions and, based on these factors, evaluates what ground clearance the car should currently have (maximum 180 mm) in order to safely drive through the given section. Istra also uses a system that not only displays a fault on the car, but can also immediately offer recommendations for its removal.
Under the hood, we find a 1.5-liter Elsbett turbodiesel with three cylinders located longitudinally at the front, the power of which varies between 82 and 95 horses. In addition to diesel, the engine is said to be able to run on rapeseed oil, heating oil or kerosene. Mated to the power unit is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatic, and this combination drives the front wheels. With a curb weight of 700 kg and a total weight of 1100 kg, a maximum speed of 185 km/h and an acceleration to 100 km/h in 12 seconds are indicated. Consumption is almost unreal – at a constant speed of 90 km/h it is 2.2 l/100 km, at 120 km/h 3.2 l/100 km and in combined operation 3.5 l/100 km . However, the plan was also to install an Elko engine, again from Germany, with which the Istra should have achieved only 2.5 l/100 km in combined mode.
Despite the incredible progress of the model, not only on a Soviet scale, but also on a global scale, the Moskvich 2144 Istra did not make it into production. The reason was the need for a high capital investment to complete the project and subsequent production. According to the available photos and information, both prototypes are located in one of the Russian automobile museums . Looking at the photos, however, we can see that one of the two cars has lost its original aerodynamic wheel covers and rear-view mirrors (the beige car did not have them from production). Nevertheless, even in this condition, 2144 Istra is a remarkable chapter in the history of the Soviet and later Russian automobile industry. According to the inscriptions on the back and on the steering wheel, it may also have been considered as a successor to the Aleko model – and that would therefore be a real leap forward.
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Source: carstyling.ru, trinixy.ru, zr.ru, smotra.ru, ru.wikipedia.org
