TagAZ Aquila History

The TagAZ Aquila was the plant's most ambitious attempt at an original design. Developed over approximately 18 months with input from TagAZ Korea (a Seoul-based subsidiary), the Aquila debuted in March 2013 and was marketed as a 'budget sports car' — a four-door fastback compact using a spaceframe chassis covered in plastic body panels, an unusual construction for a Russian production car.

Power came from a 1.6-litre Mitsubishi 4G18 four-cylinder engine producing 107 hp, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. Most mechanical components were sourced from China or from branches of global suppliers; the car was priced to attract buyers who wanted sportier styling without a premium price tag.

Only around 200 Aquilas were produced before TagAZ was declared bankrupt in January 2014. The design did not die entirely: the French microcar firm MPM Motors later acquired the platform and relaunched the car in France as the MPM Erelis, giving the design a second life in the EU.