The UAZ Bobik is well-known not only in the post-Soviet countries but also far beyond, including in Japan and the USA. In some ways, it is just as iconic and legendary as the Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Defender, and Mercedes G-Class. 
However, unlike its European and overseas “competitors,” the UAZ in its current form resembles not even an echo, but a burp from the past. Indeed, over the decades, this model has gone through very modest and sometimes even shameful updates and additions. But everything could have been different, and possibly on the new UAZ off-road vehicles, like on the G-Class, there would be cool license plates, and by the car’s license number it would be immediately clear that its owner is not a rural dweller or a serviceman but a businessman.
But that’s in theory and in the fantasies of designers… 
If the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant (and not only) valued history and aimed for development, then the modern UAZ would look exactly like this. At least, this is how the new UAZ 469 is envisioned by industrial designer Andrei Fandyukhin, who depicted his vision of the new UAZ project, which received the working name UAZ Bor. 
Agree, in the sketches, the car looks quite decent and still possesses the features of its predecessor, which, like the Highlander, just won’t leave this world. Although it’s about time.
And even though the independent designer’s project reveals stylistic similarities with the Toyota FJ Cruiser, it’s still much better than the old-new UAZ Hunter. 
According to the author’s design, the new UAZ simply must keep the military-olive color, doors with a slant at the bottom, and a removable roof, which in this case is not a tarpaulin but plastic, but the designer has cleverly incorporated it with the color. Footboards, a roof rack, and a frame – everything a normal off-roader should have. At the back, you can see a bulge on the trunk lid – this is not a hump but a covered spare tire. It’s a controversial decision, but well.
By the way, did you know that there is even a Chinese UAZ, which is still produced today! And since we’re talking about Soviet and post-Soviet off-road vehicles, it would be remiss not to mention the Ukrainian LuAZ, capable of outperforming the UAZ. Yes, it’s not a joke. It’s just a pity that it hasn’t been produced for a long time, and it doesn’t have a successor, and it probably never will…