Vladimir Putin Tests First Russian Hybrid Car

After the Renault Formula 1 car and a locally-made Chrysler Sebring, Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin chose to test drive a hybrid, but not just any such car. We are talking about the first country’s first ever locally made tree-hugger, the Yo-Mobile. He took the car on a ten-kilometer route from his residence to President Medvedev's country house outside Moscow on Friday.

This vehicle is manufactured by Yo-Auto, a joint-venture between truck maker Yarovit Motors and Onexim Group, the company of Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov. He will inject up to $200 million in the recently formed joint venture, which is called E-Auto. Production estimates are pointing to 10,000 units per year when the car will go on sale in next year, with the company promising the car will be offered at a very affordable price.

The Yo-Mobile offers a very unusual configuration that makes use of a rotary vane engine that works on petrol and natural gas coupled with a pair of electric motors. It comes with a super-capacitor, which is an energy-storing device seen as an alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries.

It is estimated that the Russian hybrid will deliver an average fuel consumption of 3.5 liters/100 km (67.2 mpg) and has a combined driving range of 1,100 km (683.5 miles). The manufacturer says that its 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) time is in the region of 8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 130 km/h (80.8 mph).

Set to reach market in the second half of next year, it will retail for the equivalent of $12,000 - $15,000 (€8,500 - €10,500). The car Putin is testing is a range-topping model with four-wheel drive, satellite navigation system, cruise-control and climate control.