Car Modify, Car Hire, Car Picture

The Aleko is a Russian car that was presented to the public in 1986 and was being manufactured between 1988 and 2000 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.

For Moskvitch, Aleko was innovative, having front-wheel drive, a hatchback body style, McPherson strut front suspension and torsion-crank rear suspension. The wheelbase went up almost 20 centimeters, the body got 14 centimeters wider, the wheel size went up one inch. 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 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 chose the French Simca 1307 as the best candidate for the Russian market.
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