On Sunday, February 18, the sister of Kim Jong Un, Kim Yo Jong, received a brand new vehicle as a gift from Russian President Vladimir Putin. This gift, an Aurus Senat limousine, is the same type of car that Putin himself uses for both presidential and personal purposes. Last September, when Jong Un visited Russia, Putin took him for a ride in this very car.
While touring the Vostochny cosmodrome, Putin invited the North Korean leader to take a look inside his presidential limousine and even offered him a ride in the back seat. According to a spokesperson from the Kremlin, as reported by The Guardian, Jong Un thoroughly enjoyed the experience. This led Putin to consider the Senat as a suitable gift to show his appreciation.
The delay in delivering this gift can be attributed to the international sanctions imposed on North Korea due to its nuclear weapons program. One of these sanctions includes a ban on the import of luxury vehicles into the country. Initially, Russia supported this ban, but it seems that their stance has changed.
This gift not only signifies the growing friendship between the two leaders but also shows their agreement and support on various issues, including weapons technology. It is believed that North Korea is providing Russia with weapons in its conflict against Ukraine. The gift of the Senat is also seen as a sign that Putin may soon visit North Korea.
Putting politics aside, the Senat will fit right in with Jong Un’s impressive collection of cars. He is an avid car collector with a particular fondness for luxury brands like Mercedes-Maybach. The Senat is designed to be on par with these luxury vehicles, especially when fully loaded. It can be assumed that Putin sent over a fully equipped Senat, as this is not the type of occasion where one would cut corners.
The Senat limousine, often referred to as a Rolls-Royce imitator, is produced by Aurus, a state-backed company established in 2018. The company’s goal is to provide luxury transportation for the most influential and wealthiest individuals in the country, including Putin himself.
Under the hood, the Senat is powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, developed with assistance from Porsche, and an electric engine that together produce a total of 600 horsepower. This power is transmitted through a nine-speed automatic transmission. The car can reach a top speed of 250 kph (155 mph). The highest specification of the Senat includes advanced safety features that make it virtually indestructible.
These safety features include an armored fuel tank, reinforced underside, ballistic body protection, and bulletproof windows. The wheels are designed to remain functional even if all tires are punctured. Additionally, the car is equipped with an intercom system, air filtration in case of gas poisoning, and a fire extinguishing system. It is believed that Putin’s own limousine(s) also possess these features and more.
According to the Source autoevolution.com