News from Italian political circles centers on the sale of a vehicle once linked to prominent figures. The Senate President Ignazio La Russa reportedly sold the Russian UAZ Patriot SUV that had been presented to him by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, according to reports cited by RIA Novosti from Il Giornale. [Source: Il Giornale via RIA Novosti]
The motive given for the sale is practical: the vehicle was idle and lacked spare parts, making continued ownership impractical. In contrast, the official garage travel policy lists other favored models, including the Fiat 500 and the Jaguar, underscoring the shifting priorities of official transport choices. [Source: Il Giornale via RIA Novosti]
Historically, Berlusconi purchased the car in January 2010. It marked the first UAZ Patriot to roll off the Sollers Far Eastern manufacturing line in Vladivostok. At the time, Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled that Berlusconi had pressed for an immediate reduction in the vehicle’s costs. This context reflects how automotive diplomacy can intersect with high-level politics and procurement practices. [Source: Il Giornale via RIA Novosti]
Earlier developments showed the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant testing a modernized UAZ Patriot, signaling ongoing efforts to refresh the model line. The update includes a new power unit along with a refreshed exterior appearance. UAZ initiated the Patriot restyling project in September, with the redesign bringing a new look for the first time since 2016. The refreshed model is slated to use a two-liter diesel engine producing about 130 horsepower (approximately 288 Nm of torque), with production localized at the Sollers Alabuga facility. [Source: Il Giornale via RIA Novosti]
The upgraded engine is intended to pair with a six-speed manual transmission, mirroring the same powertrain setup used in the commercial Sollers Argo, which is built at UAZ plants. This move highlights strategic alignment between military-style utility vehicles and commercial utility models within the same corporate family, illustrating how engine technology and transmission choices recur across product lines. [Source: Il Giornale via RIA Novosti]
In related industry news, UAZ has adjusted its roadmap for older models while pursuing modernization across its lineup. These actions reflect a broader trend in automotive manufacturing toward updated powertrains and renewed design languages, a pattern mirrored in many global markets including North America where durability and cost efficiency are valued by fleets and private buyers alike. [Source: Il Giornale via RIA Novosti]