New Delhi: On his India visit, Russian President Putin will not rely on cars provided by the Indian government. Instead, the Aurus Senat—the heavily armoured limousine—would manoeuvre around the city for the Kremlin’s convoy.
Often dubbed as the “Russian Rolls-Royce”, this beast has been carrying the Russian president since 2018.
So, what’s special about this machine?
What is Aurus Senat?
The car, also known as the “fortress on wheels”, is manufactured by Moscow automaker Aurus Motors in collaboration with state-owned research institute NAMI, Sollers JSC, and the UAE’s Tawazun Holding. The design of the ‘homegrown’ car, which comes under the Kortezh project, has been inspired by the vintage ZIS-110, a Soviet-era limousine introduced in 1945.
The standard edition of the car, which is meant for civilians, carries a price tag of around Rs 2.5 crore. Meanwhile, the variant exclusively customised for Putin costs around Rs 5.5 crore due to its sophisticated, high-tech safety modifications.
The car boasts a 4.4-litre V8 engine, delivering 598 BHP and 880 Nm of torque. A V12 engine with 850 BHP variant is also available. With a 9-speed automatic gearbox, it can reach a top speed of approximately 250 kilometres per hour, and can clock 0 to 100 in just six seconds.
In 2024, the vehicle got an aggressive facelift, enhancing the muscular Russian look.
Apart from the retro-cum-modern looks, the Aurus Senat has been reported to be one of the safest cars in the world. It is equipped with a VR-10 ballistic shield, which can protect from ballistic blasts as well as chemical attacks. It also features run-flat tyres, reinforced 6 cm-thick glass, a fire suppression system, and an independent oxygen supply.
The car can also float on water, and is designed to remain operational until it reaches safety.
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What is the Kortezh project?
The Russian president would travel in a Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard Pullman before Putin directed the launch of the Kortezh project in 2013. On 7 May 2018, the new presidential limousine was publicly unveiled and used during Putin’s inauguration. In 2021, mass production of civilian versions of the vehicle began at a facility in Yelabuga, Russia.
The Kortezh project was a Russian state-sponsored initiative to develop an entirely domestic fleet of high-end, luxury, and armoured vehicles for the President of Russia and other top government officials. It sought to replace foreign-made (primarily German) luxury cars previously used by Russian leaders with a homegrown brand.
The project was particularly significant as it helped reduce dependence on Western technology and goods amid sanctions while also showcasing Russia’s engineering capabilities.
Is it actually homegrown?
The parts for the Aurus Senat are provided by a network of Russian domestic manufacturers as well as international suppliers, with official parts distribution typically handled through authorised Aurus dealerships and service centres.
Here are the companies involved in the production of Aurus Senat:
1. NAMI (Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engines Institute): This Russian state institute developed the vehicle and owns the intellectual rights. It developed the V8 engine (with assistance from Porsche Engineering) and a nine-speed automatic gearbox, which are considered largely Russian-made components.
2. KAMAZ PTC: This major Russian truck manufacturer supplies complex castings for the engine, such as cylinder blocks and heads.
3. International Suppliers: Aurus vehicles have relied on millions of dollars’ worth of imported parts, including body parts, sensors, controllers, and switches. Suppliers have been identified in South Korea (Kyungki Industrial Co, BYT CO LTD), Italy (Industrie Ilpea Spa), China, India, and Turkey.
Due to international sanctions imposed after February 2022, many foreign companies have ceased supplying parts to Aurus.
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Who else owns an Aurus Senat?
Apart from the Russian president himself, Putin’s upgraded version of the Aurus Senat is reportedly owned by four top officials in the world. In February 2024, Putin gifted one to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In June 2024, he gifted the same car to Kim again.
Serdar Berdimuhamedow and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow—the father-son duo who have both served as President of Turkmenistan—also own the car.
Putin also gave the Aurus Senat to King Hamad, the ruler of Bahrain, in May 2024.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)