The former symbol of the Soviet elite and the recognizable vehicle of the state services there, the Volga brand, is trying to return to the Russian automotive scene. After a failed attempt to revive the brand in 2024 with the help of chassis from the Chinese company Changan, the company has now introduced two new models, the K50 SUV and the C50 sedan.
“Prepakirani” SUV and limousine
However, even this time, those two models are not domestic products, but rather renamed versions of vehicles from the Chinese manufacturer Geely. That company is the co-owner of brands such as Volvo, Polestar, Proton, Smart and Lotus, and the full owner of the Chinese brands Lynk & Co and Zeekr present on our market, which it sells alongside the basic Geely brand.
When it comes to cooperation with Volga, the “Russian” K50 SUV model represents the brand’s entry into the SUV segment, and is designed on the basis of the Geely Monjaro model. Visual changes compared to the original model are minimal and are reduced almost exclusively to a modified front fascia with Volga markings. Under the hood will be a 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine with a power of 238 hp, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
In addition to the SUV, Volga is also returning to its offer a traditional sedan called the C50. This model, on the other hand, is based on the Chinese model Geely Preface, whose design and technical solutions have been almost completely retained. With the exception of the new badging and grille, the C50 retains a visual identity reminiscent of classic European and American sedans. Customers will be offered two variants of a two-liter gasoline four-cylinder, with a power of 150 HP or 200 HP, with a 7-speed gearbox with a double clutch.
The interior of the C50 model also does not bring significant changes compared to the Chinese original. The interior is decorated with a digital instrument panel, a vertically oriented infotainment screen and a distinctive four-spoke steering wheel. Although the prices of the new models have not yet been officially announced, it is known that production will take place at the former VW Group factory in Nizhny Novgorod, where Škoda and Volkswagen models were once assembled.