ZIL-117

The ZIL-117 was a Soviet luxury sedan built by ZiL, first shown to the public at the Autoprom exhibition in 1977 although it debuted in 1971. It was derived from the larger ZIL-114 and was designed from 1968, with a first prototype running in 1969. It used the same 6,959 cc V8 as the ZIL-114, claimed 300 hp, had automatic transmission and power steering, and had a claimed top speed of 190 to 201 km/h. At 5,725 mm long on a 3,310 mm wheelbase it was much shorter than the ZIL-114 and seated five rather than seven. It was meant as a car of intermediate rank, below the ZIL-114 reserved for the highest state and party officials and above the GAZ-13 Chaika, and also served in official convoys. Only 50 were built, plus a convertible, the ZIL-117V, made from 1973 to 1979 for parades on Red Square. The ZIL-41041 replaced it in 1986.