Vladimir Putin shows off new Aurus Senat presidential limousine – but how does it compare to Donald Trump's 'The Beast'?

Russian president Vladimir Putin was seen yesterday driving his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fatah el-Sisi, around the Sochi Autodrom grand prix circuit in an enormous black limousine. But what do we know about Russia’s new state car, and how does it compare to President Donald Trump’s ‘Beast’?

The Aurus Senat is a new limo developed for the Russian government. Alongside a minivan and an SUV, it represents a significant update for the presidential fleet, which until recently has used a mixture of Mercedes-Benz armoured vehicles and increasingly old-fashioned Zil models designed in the Soviet era.

It was built by NAMI, a Russian engineering institute that focuses on automotive research and development. Best known for its unusual military vehicles, NAMI began work on the new limousine in 2013, and unveiled the cars earlier this year. Civilian versions are expected, and heads-of-state from around the world are rumoured to have shown interest in the armoured versions used by Vladimir Putin.

The Senat is a visually imposing vehicle, with an angular face and a deep grille vaguely reminiscent of a Rolls-Royce Phantom crossed with a Chrysler 300C. Chrome details accentuate further gaping air intakes below the headlights, and a prominent number plate is flanked by two blue strobe lights. A small chrome mast mounted to the right-hand fender carries the presidential standard.

It’s clear from the thickened windscreen that this is an armoured vehicle. A wide frit disguises the girth of the A-pillars, and the (presumably blast-proof) glass sits sunken in its frame. At the top of the windscreen is what appears to be a sensor unit generally associated with AEB and active cruise control, though we suspect that there could be more sophisticated systems available to the Russian president.

The rather slab-sided nature of the limousine seems to draw inspiration from Mercedes and Maybach models, with hints of Bentley. Featureless flanks blend somewhat unimaginatively with the rear bumper and sharply creased boot lid. Towards the rear of the long, flat roof is a fin-style aerial. It might not be a conventionally pretty car, but its design communicates some simple sentiments very clearly.

Limited photos of the interior suggest certain similarities with the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard, an off-the-peg armoured limousine which has previously been used by the Russian government. The model shown to foreign dignitaries in Sochi appeared to have tan leather upholstery and a fully digital instrument binnacle. The two-spoke steering wheel mirrors those of older Zil limousines.

Under the bonnet is a 4.4-litre V8 engine, co-developed by Russian engineering organisation Nami and German sports car manufacturer Porsche. It produces 598bhp and 880Nm of torque, with an electric motor in ‘mild hybrid’ configuration capable of adding around 40bhp. This is coupled to a nine-speed wet clutch automatic gearbox, which drives all four wheels.

The 6.6 metre long Senat is understood to weigh around six tonnes. Despite this, its beefy powertrain will propel it to 60mph in around six seconds, which is broadly comparable with a Tesla Model X. While the dynamic characteristics of the limousine are unclear, Vladimir Putin was clearly enjoying himself on the circuit yesterday.

President Donald Trump also received an updated version of the United States limousine in 2018. Nicknamed 'The Beast', a previous version of vast Cadillac-badged machine appeared in Britain earlier in the year, and is reputed to be heavily armed. Two pints of Trump's blood type is stored in the vehicle, and former president Barack Obama once told Jerry Seinfeld that he could "call a nuclear submarine right here" from within the vehicle.