Russian Prime Minister test-drives CNG hybrid vehicle

The prototype had been presented last year

Vehicles

14.04.11

Russian Prime Minister test-drives CNG hybrid vehicle

Vladimir Putin drove the Yo-mobile on the ten kilometre route from his residence to President Dmitry Medvedev's country house outside Moscow, and hailed it as an example to the government’s innovation commission. The vehicle is an initiative from Russia's Yo-Auto, a joint venture between Mikhail Prokhorov’s Onexim Group and truck maker Yarovit.

Mass production of Yo-mobile CNG hybrid will begin in St. Petersburg plant in mid 2012 with initially 10,000 cars a year, and will involve three different models: hatchback, microvan and cross coupe. It will cost between 350,000 and 450,000 rubles (USD 12,000 - USD 15,000), reported Russian International News Agency (RIA Novosti).

Two of the Yo-mobile models were showcased at Putin’s Novo-Ogaryovo residence. The Prime Minister chose to drive the sports cross-coupe version, accompanied by Yo-auto CEO Andrei Biryukov, while businessman Prokhorov drove the microvan. "I want to drive this Yo-mobile to Dmitry Anatolyevich [Medvedev] and show it to him," said Putin eagerly.

Furthermore, Biryukov stated that the complete version of the car would be four-wheel drive and equipped with cruise control, GPS/Glonass navigation and climate control. He also said the unit is “attractively priced” because it is based on cheaper new materials. Prokhorov had presented the three prototypes of the hybrid car last December while the project had been announced in October.

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