The luxury limousine has sunk into oblivion due to the fault of the short-sightedness of Gorbachev.
Back in 1985, the ZIL plant began to develop a new presidential limousine, which was to become the car of Mikhail Gorbachev.
A year later, the developers were concept shown, which was a simple layout, after which the creation of the serial version started.
In terms of design, the limousine was different from everything that was previously created in the USSR – show off the car’s appearance It was possible before other world leaders.
ZIL-402 received innovative for Soviet engineers the solution is the use of fiberglass in the body structure, which significantly lightened the weight of the car. The use of weight also contributed special glue, which was used only in the space industry.
The suspension structure ZIL-4102 was “Peeped” at Mercedes-Benz, and to increase the quality of the rear subframe Rolls-Royce technology applied.
Under the hood ZIL-4102 is a huge 7.7 liter V8 engine, which provided power of 315 horsepower.
The model received keyless start engine systems, and the motor itself was placed in a special capsule, which reduced the level of noise and vibration. Also, the model could boast on-board computer with a trouble notification system. The computer was developed by German experts.
In 1988, ZIL-4102, which already had a different number index, was introduced to Gorbachev, but the president did not appreciate the limo for unknown reasons.
“Something is not right …”, – Gorbachev responded about the car, having perplexed the developers, after which the project was minimized.
In 1992, ZIL decided to establish a serial production of cheaper ZIL-4102, but no investors were found to start the assembly.
Seemed would have to do with Putin? The fact is that many design decisions initially made the basis of the “Project Cortege”, which later turned into a line of luxury cars Aurus. But Putin has already clearly appreciated the new Aurus line, which so far consists of only one limousine – both the SUV and the Aurus convertible are on the way.
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