Putin’s Aurus Senat: What Makes It One of the Safest Cars Worldwide

Russian President Vladimir Putin lands in India today, and along with him arrives one of the most closely guarded cars on the planet the Aurus Senat . As he prepares for key meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a state banquet, all eyes are also on the formidable machine that shadows him everywhere.

This is Putin’s first India visit in four years, and like always, his heavily armoured limousine is part of the entourage. The Aurus Senat never leaves his side.

What Makes the Aurus Senat Special?

Often dubbed the “Russian Rolls-Royce,” the Aurus Senat is a state-built luxury limousine designed solely for top-tier security. Before this, Putin travelled in a Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard, but Russia later shifted to its own Kortezh project—an initiative to create fully indigenous, ultra-luxury armoured state vehicles.

Unveiled during Putin’s 2018 inauguration, the Senat is built by Aurus Motors in partnership with Russia’s NAMI institute, Sollers JSC, and the UAE’s Tawazun Holding. It even made global headlines when a similar model was gifted to Kim Jong Un in 2024. A small civilian batch is produced annually, capped at about 120 units.

Why It’s Considered ‘Impregnable’

The Senat is engineered to keep its occupant alive through the worst possible scenarios. Its standout features include:

• Full bulletproof shielding that withstands armour-piercing rounds
• Blast and drone-attack resistance
• Buoyant design that stays afloat if submerged
• Run-flat capability, allowing high-speed escape even on destroyed tyres
• Chemical attack protection with a sealed air filtration system
• A powerful 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 hybrid engine and a top speed of 160 kmph
• A luxurious, tech-heavy cabin with wood accents, leather interior, and secure communication systems

How Much Does It Cost?

The base model starts at around 18 million rubles (roughly ₹2.5 crore). However, Putin’s customised, fully armoured version is nearly twice as expensive and packed with classified technology unavailable to civilians.

When PM Modi Rode in Putin’s Limousine

After the SCO Summit in China, PM Modi joined Putin for a drive in the Aurus Senat an hour-long ride that reportedly began with Putin waiting nearly ten minutes for the Indian Prime Minister.

As Putin begins his India visit today, the Aurus Senat remains one of the most watched and mysterious parts of his high-security entourage a rolling fortress built for survival, diplomacy, and sheer power.