The Aurus Senat is part of the Kortezh series, which will eventually include a
van and an
SUV.[12] The Senat was shown publicly for the first time at the
Moscow International Automobile Salon in September 2018.
History
Cars of the
Kortezh series (also known in
Russian: Единая модульная платформа, ЕМП,
lit. 'Unified Modular Platform')[13][14] were expected to be available for export to the Middle East and China in late 2018.[15] A civilian version of the Senat is manufactured by a joint venture between the NAMI and
LiAZ firms.[15] Expected retail prices were increased in 2018 to 10 million rubles ($US160,000), but in 2021, still before the first deliveries, became higher than 20 million rubles (~$US300,000).[16]
On February 20, 2024, it was reported that Kim Jong-un received a Senat as a gift from President Vladimir Putin.[17] In mid march 2024 North korean television released footage appearing to show Kim Jong-un using the car to attend a military event.[18]
Design
Development of the Senat began in 2013[19] with production, in civilian S600 or official L700 versions, beginning in 2021 at the
Sollers JSC factory in
Yelabuga.[20][21][22]
Porsche and
Bosch Engineering are reported to have been involved with the development of the engine.[23]
Versions
The
armoured limousine version is powered by a 4.4 litre
V8 engine developed by NAMI, with a 6.6-litre
V12 (634 kW [850 hp; 862 PS]) becoming available at a later date.[8]