Fireproof "mobile fortress" that floats like Putin's ship arrives in India
The Aurus Senat, dubbed by many as the “Rolls-Royce of Russia,” has arrived in India during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit.
President Putin arrived in India on December 4, held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and attended the annual bilateral summit.
During the visit, the two sides signed many agreements, affirming their strong partnership.
The visit comes as the US urges India to reduce its purchases of Russian oil, and the Trump administration continues talks to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
However, the focus of attention for car enthusiasts is the Aurus Senat in President Putin’s motorcade.
Dubbed a custom-made luxury limousine and often referred to as the “Russian Rolls-Royce”, the Aurus Senat combines a solid armored body with advanced technology and ultimate comfort.
The car is part of the Kortezh project, which aims to create fully Russian-made armored official vehicles.
The Aurus Senat replaced President Putin’s previous Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard Pullman, demonstrating Russia’s drive for self-reliance and pride in its domestic automotive industry.
NDTV lists some of the highlights of this armored limousine.
The Aurus Senat has impressive dimensions (5,630 mm long, 2,000 mm wide and 1,700 mm high, with a wheelbase of 3,300 mm. This massive size provides an extremely spacious interior, providing maximum comfort for the occupants.
The car is equipped with a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 Hybrid engine, 598 horsepower, 880 Nm torque. Using a 9-speed gearbox, the car reaches a maximum speed of 160 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 9 seconds.
What makes the difference is the armored structure of the Aurus Senat, designed to withstand armor-piercing bullets and absorb the impact of explosions. In particular, the car is capable of resisting missile and drone attacks.
In case of flooding, the Aurus Senat is capable of operating as a boat underground, allowing the car to float and remain in operation until it reaches a safe place.
Run-flat tires ensure the car maintains high speed. In addition, the cabin is equipped with an independent air filtration system, preventing toxic gases and protecting passengers from chemical attacks.
The interior of the Aurus Senat is a mobile executive office, upholstered in premium leather, hand-crafted wood paneling, sheepskin carpets and a secure communication system. The car is equipped with rear seats with electric adjustment, ventilation and massage, along with a folding table and a mini fridge. A 32-inch screen and wireless charging help maximize work productivity.
The Aurus Senat civilian model will start mass production from 2021 at the Yelabuga plant, with an extremely limited number of about 120 cars per year.
The selling price ranges from 18-20 million rubles (about 5-5.6 billion VND). Customers can choose from versions sedan, armored limousine or convertible.