Delhi gets BRICS makeover as India hosts Putin, Xi, Pezeshkian for Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS summit, accompanied by a formidable security detail consisting of a custom-built presidential jet and his armored Aurus Senat limousine. Unlike numerous world leaders who adapt to local transportation upon arrival, Putin maintains his preference for flying his own vehicle, wherever his travels may take him.

The Aurus Senat has previously garnered attention when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen riding alongside Putin during the SCO Summit in China the previous year. Known for its unparalleled secrecy and robust fortification, the Senat is a vehicle befitting a leader who has spent two and a half decades in power with a multitude of adversaries behind him.

Developed by Aurus Motors, a collaboration between Russian state research organization NAMI, Sollers JSC, and the UAE's Tawazun Holding, the limousine debuted in 2018 as part of Russia's Kortezh program aimed at creating exclusive luxury and armored vehicles for governmental purposes. Its design echoes the Soviet-era ZIS-110 limousine.

While Putin's personalized Senat is tailored for protection, Aurus also manufactures a civilian variant, limited to 120 units annually with a price tag of approximately 18 million rubles (around Rs 2.5 crore). Delhi is gearing up for the BRICS Summit, with 26 trains canceled, several diverted, and delays anticipated.

The Senat is powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine coupled with a hybrid system, delivering a potent 598 horsepower and 880 Nm of torque via a 9-speed automatic transmission. Despite its substantial dimensions, the vehicle attains a maximum speed of around 160 kmph and accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in approximately 9 seconds.

Boasting a length of 5,630 mm, width of 2,000 mm, and a wheelbase of 3,300 mm, the Senat is engineered to the highest security standards for presidential travel. Its robust bulletproofing and blast resistance features are complemented by advanced safety systems such as active cruise control, lane departure warning, electronic traction control, and sophisticated braking mechanisms.

Inside, passengers are treated to a luxurious cabin with premium leather upholstery, wood trim, and a high-tech infotainment system, all built to withstand extreme climates.