In the USA, the Russian Volga was ridiculed because of its similarity with Geely

The American publication Carscoops was surprised by the revival of the legendary Soviet brand Volga: the new C50 and K50 models turned out to be almost exact copies of Chinese Geely cars.

As journalists write, Volga was well known in the USSR – these sedans were often used by government officials and taxi drivers, but now the brand is returning with an unexpected surprise. The new products are not an independent development, but are a rebadge of existing Geely models, which are assembled at the former Volkswagen plant in Nizhny Novgorod.

The first model is the Volga K50 crossover, based on the Geely Monjaro. According to Carscoops, in appearance it is practically indistinguishable from the donor: the same front optics, chrome elements and body shape. The only visible change is a slightly redesigned grille with the Volga logo. Under the hood is a two-liter turbo engine producing 238 hp. paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

The second model is the Volga C50 sedan, which is built around the Geely Preface. And here, according to the observations of American observers, there are almost no changes: a new grille and emblem – that’s the whole difference. The interior features the same four-spoke steering wheel, digital instrumentation and a vertical multimedia screen. The engine is a two-liter turbo-four, but in two boost versions: 150 and 200 hp. paired with a seven-speed robot.

Carscoops notes that this is not the first time Volga is trying to come back: in 2024, it was planned to rebrand the Changan models, but that project was never implemented. Now, after the departure of Western automakers from Russia, the brand has a window of opportunity. Prices for the new Volga have not yet been announced, but production has already started at the facilities of the former Volkswagen Group plant in Nizhny Novgorod, where Skoda and Volkswagen were previously assembled for the Russian market.