Russian President Vladimir Putin gifts luxury car Aurus Senat to North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Un

Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has expressed her gratitude to President Putin and highlighted that the gift is a clear evidence of the special personal relationship between the two leaders.

The Aurus Senat Limousine is the car that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had the opportunity to experience during his official state visit to Russia in September 2023.

This car is dubbed as the “Rolls-Royce Phantom of the Russians”. President Putin himself has also used this limousine during his presidential inauguration on May 7, 2018.

In Russia, many high-level leaders such as the Prime Minister of Russia, leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic have also used this model at important events.

Introduced for the first time at the Moscow Auto Show in 2018, Aurus Senat is part of the Kortezh project, which is a joint venture between the Automotive Engine and Automotive Scientific Research Institute of Russia (NAMI) and Sollers company responsible for production. Initially, the Kortezh project and the Aurus Senat prototype were created to develop a separate car model for Russian President Vladimir Putin, similar to the Cadillac One of the US President. Subsequently, realizing the potential of the market as well as the ambition to revive the Russian automotive industry, the Government of President Putin decided to invest more money into this project to promote the development and commercialization of the Aurus brand.

The car has a design that is quite similar to the Rolls-Royce, especially the front of the car with a waterfall-style grille and a two-tier LED headlight cluster.

The color and equipment of the Aurus Senat Limousine given to the Chairman of North Korea is unknown. However, President Putin’s car is meticulously reinforced with absolute bullet, grenade, and mine resistance. The car has a frame and body shell equipped with 15mm thick steel armor, 65mm thick front glass capable of resisting bombs, mines, and direct gunfire. The tires also use spray and run-flat technology to withstand attacks and escapes.

As a luxury car only for heads of state, it is not surprising that the cabin of the Aurus Senat is equipped with countless modern amenities. The seats in the car are all upholstered in premium leather, accompanied by wood and metal trim details to create a luxurious feel.

The rear passenger seats will have 4 independent seats that can recline up to 45 degrees. The car is also equipped with personal defense weapons arranged in various positions on the car.

The Aurus Senat Limousine is powered by a hybrid drivetrain, including a 4.4L turbocharged V8 gasoline engine, producing a maximum power of 598 horsepower and a peak torque of 880 Nm. The engine is combined with a powerful 40 horsepower electric motor. The entire power is transmitted to all 4 wheels through a 9-speed automatic transmission.

TH (Tuoitrethudo)

Illustrative photo