vepr was launched before gepard so normaly its an advancement thats made on the next one.
the gepard doesnt have the distinctive bullet on the rear as vepr does
vepr showing the bullet
gepard showing no bullet
the diffrence between the gepard an vepr doesnt stop there vepr can dive only to 660 meters yet the gepard 675meters gepard is a prototype for new systerms and in some cases classified as Akula III
the akula 2 SSN's displace 12,000 tonnes where normaly akula only displace 9,000tonnes the speeds are the same but gepard is the most advanced akula submarine there is and proven by the west it is the quietest SSN yet produced by the russians.