On a fast neutron: how the future Russian electric car turned out
The future domestic electric car Atom is entering the home stretch for mass production. The first batch of cars is expected to be produced at the Moskvich automobile plant in Moscow by the end of this year. In the meantime, several pre-production samples are undergoing final tests on conventional roads. The Izvestia correspondent managed to get behind the wheel of one of them.
So far for a select few
A couple of days before the trip to the indoor racing track, where the Atom test drive took place, this car with registration plates installed on it was spotted on the street next to the editorial office. Why do you need to go to a special highway?
The main feature of the Atom is the swing doors without a central pillar, which greatly simplify boarding the car.
— This is not a production car, but so far only a prototype, as close as possible to the production version. Yes, several of these cars are registered, they have license plates and insurance. However, only test engineers are allowed to operate them for final tests on public roads and only along established routes. That is why we are currently conducting a test drive on a closed highway," the company's representatives explained.
Thanks for the pedals...
An almost serial model of the car was issued for the test drive. It is with this body and interior design, a 204-horsepower electric motor and an Atom chassis that will be put on the assembly line at the Moskvich automobile plant in Moscow at the end of the year.
The main feature of the car is the swing doors without a central pillar. As promised by the developers back in 2023 during the presentation of the running layout, this concept has been preserved. The front "gates", equipped with extendable handles and an electric drive, open just like on any other car — as the car is moving. But the rear ones, after pressing the button, helpfully swing open against the movement. As a result, a wide opening opens up: you don't get in the car, but you literally enter.
The cabin immediately catches the eye with the almost complete absence of any buttons, displays and screens.
In the cabin, the absence of any buttons, displays or screens is immediately noticeable. There are no steering wheel switches. Upon closer examination of the interior, four keys were found in the center of the front panel, which are responsible for selecting the driving modes: "forward", "backward", "neutral" and "parking". A more thorough examination of the interior revealed another "emergency" button located on the ceiling. Fortunately, at least two pedals and a steering wheel are in place... How to manage it?
— So that's it, the display on the steering wheel! — the tester sitting on the right is pointing at the only LCD screen in the car the size of two smartphones. — All the functions of the car are sewn into it and on the steering wheel itself!
The steering wheel in Atom is the main control body. It is necessary to turn on the "turn signals" — there is a separate switch on the left spoke of the steering wheel for this. It is necessary to spray the glass with a washer and wave the brushes a couple of times — there is a button on the right spoke. It is necessary to turn on the headlights — there is another key next to it. But if you need to turn on the wipers permanently, welcome to the display menu, which also performs the functions of the dashboard. Make the cabin cooler, turn on the heaters, turn down the volume of the audio system, change the radio station — please go there, on the same screen.
In digitalizing the car, Atom's developers have surpassed even the Chinese. Some Chinese automakers have already integrated mirror adjustment into the multimedia system. But they haven't figured out how to hide the control of the driver's and passenger seat settings there yet. The Atomov team was ahead of them here: the seat settings on the domestic electric car are managed by a separate menu item on the steering display and joysticks on the spokes of the steering wheel.
The steering wheel is the main tool in Atom. The screen on it combines both the instrument panel and the ability to control all the functions of the machine. The switch on the left spoke is responsible for the turn signals, the buttons on the right for the operation of the headlights and wipers.
However, the owner of Atom will not have to go through the digital menu often. The electric car is equipped with a voice assistant with neural network technologies, which can be used to control climate control, adjust doors and windows, adjust steering wheel, mirrors and seats, as well as lighting. It will also provide work with the phone, contacts, multimedia system and radio. In addition, the Atom is equipped with a camera that recognizes the driver's face: it is enough to set all the adjustments once, and it will recognize the steering wheel and adjust all the settings for it.
Ride the Atom
About a year ago, Izvestia had already tested the "mule-carrier" of a Russian electric car on the same highway. At that time, it was devoid of any safety electronics, and therefore seemed unnecessarily "fidgety", skidding at the slightest excess of traction and blocking the wheels with careless braking. The pre-production sample is devoid of these drawbacks.
Even despite outright provocations, such as the sudden addition of gas or its release in a corner, the Atom behaved very steadily on the race track. Electronics recognized a potentially dangerous situation and preemptively prevented its development.
At the same time, as a year ago, the Atom confidently fit into the bends of the track, without excessive rolls. Thanks to the low center of gravity (the massive battery pack is located under the floor) and good chassis settings.
During the refinement process, the engineers removed the excessive "synthetics" of the steering wheel, which was noted during last year's races. Now the driver clearly understands the angle at which the front wheels are turned, and tangible feedback has appeared on the steering wheel.
But the brakes seemed overly sensitive: even a slight touch on the pedal makes the car slow down more intensively than expected. However, the developers of the machine are well aware of this.
The final prices of the Atom electric car are still unknown. According to the company's representatives, the car is expected to cost "up to 4 million rubles."
— In the process of fine-tuning, rear brake discs of increased diameter were installed, and besides, they were also ventilated. Now, during the final tests under real—world operating conditions, we are just finalizing the brakes and other systems," the tester explained.
A look into the future
Representatives of the company have so far refrained from answering questions about the production volume of the electric car and its cost. Oleg Vakhromeev, Atom's director of brand, marketing and public Relations, only evasively said that its cost would be "up to 4 million rubles." A year ago, Igor Povarazdnyuk, CEO of the Kama company (engaged in the production of electric cars), stated at the Russia — Islamic World: KazanForum 2024 forum that the car would cost "from 2.5 million to 3.5 million rubles, depending on market conditions." Apparently, the situation has changed over the past year...
But representatives of Atom shared with Izvestia their vision of the brand's future models.
— We consider the use of alternative energy sources to be very promising. We are discussing the possibility of creating a hybrid version based on Atom, as well as a hydrogen-powered model. So far, these are just discussions, it's too early to talk about specific plans," said Philip Dyakov, head of the testing department.
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