Russian President Vladimir Putin this week presented his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-un with a Russian-made luxury limousine for personal use, in a testament to growing cooperation between the two countries.
The vehicle in question is an Aurus Senat, a model first presented by Vladimir Putin in 2018 and officially unveiled at the Moscow Motor Show.
According to Emol.com, the price of this vehicle, whose name is a combination of the Latin word “aurum” (gold) and Russia, varies between 380,000 dollars (approximately 367 million Chilean pesos) for the base version and 540,000 dollars (a little over 521 million Chilean pesos) for its armored version.
With a robust design, this 6.6 meter long limousine is equipped with a hybrid configuration, featuring a powerful 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 engine which, combined with the electric motor, reaches a power of 600 hp and a torque of 870 Nm, necessary to move a vehicle whose weight is around 6 tonnes in its armored version.
This automobile was designed in 2013 in Moscow as part of a project by the Central Institute of Scientific Research and Automobile Engines (NAMI) to allow Russia to enter the luxury model market, and is distinguished by its “imitation” of Western models such as Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Chrysler. As expected, the luxurious interior is focused on the rear passengers, and includes 45-degree reclining seats, a rear emergency exit and other amenities suited to the needs of a dignitary.
