Russian President Vladimir Putin has reached India on a three-day visit for the BRICS conference. Along with him, his entire security convoy and his special armored limousine Aurus Senat have also been seen on the streets of Delhi. One of the world’s most protected leaders like Putin always travels with his personal car. Aurus Senat is called ‘Palace on Wheels’. This vehicle is bulletproof and blast-resistant, which is designed to protect against the many enemies created during the more than 25-year-long rule of the Russian President.
Last year, at the SCO conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also rode in the same car with Putin. The sight of this luxury limousine developed by Aurus Motors on the roads of Russia is a matter of special interest for auto lovers. Its combination of safety features, power and luxury makes it one of the safest presidential cars in the world.
How special is Aurus Senat?
The Aurus Senat is a full-size luxury limousine from Russian automaker Aurus Motors. It has been developed under the joint venture of Russian State Research Institute NAMI, Sollers JSC and UAE’s Tawazun Holding. It is part of the ‘Kortezh’ project, the objective of which was to create domestic luxury and armored vehicles for government use.
It debuted at Putin’s inauguration ceremony in 2018 and since then it has been the official car of the Russian President. The design is inspired by the ZIS-110 limousine of the Soviet era. The civilian version is limited to just 120 units annually and is priced at around 18 million rubles (approximately Rs 2.5 crore). The Presidential version is much more armored and customized.
Engine, Power and Performance
Putin’s Aurus Senat is equipped with a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which works with a hybrid system. It produces about 598 horsepower and 880 Nm torque. Power is delivered to the all-wheel-drive system through a 9-speed automatic transmission. Despite the heavy armour, the vehicle achieves the speed of 0 to 100 km/h in about 9 seconds. Top speed is around 160 km/hr. Length is approximately 5630 mm (more in long wheelbase version), width is 2000 mm, height is 1700 mm and wheelbase is 3300 mm.
Number-1 in safety
This vehicle meets the highest standards of the Presidential convoy. It has features like armoring up to VR10 ballistic protection level, thick bulletproof glass (about 6 cm), run-flat tyres, blast-resistant underbody, fire suppression system and air filtration and oxygen supply to protect against chemical attacks. Active cruise control, lane departure warning, traction control and advanced braking system are also present. The vehicle is designed to work in all types of climates.
Interior and Luxury
The interiors are adorned with high-end leather, wood trim and state-of-the-art infotainment system. Features like massage, heating-cooling seats, safe communication system and partition for privacy make it like a mobile command center. This ‘Fortress on Wheels’ of Putin has once again attracted the attention of the world on the streets of Delhi. This is not just a car, but a great example of safety and luxury.
