Spacious Maybach, faster than Rolls-Royce: Aurus chief designer names advantages of Russian premium car

Aurus chief designer: Brand's cars are 70% localized

The Russian Aurus limousine for the first persons of the state was initially developed as an armored cocoon, inside which it would be spacious and comfortable. Therefore, the car turned out to be so high and "muscular," said Aurus chief designer, director of the Style Center of FSUE "NAMI" Yuri Chernenko.

Aurus Komendant

He explained that foreign specialists, unlike their Russian colleagues, create the car's structure and only then cover it with internal armor protection. Because of this, the space inside the car becomes smaller.

In the case of Aurus, the internal space was determined first, so that it would be comfortable for the driver and the first person in the back seat
Yuri Chernenko

What's inside Aurus

The Aurus interior turned out to be ergonomic, every detail is well thought out, made of premium materials. A passenger, sitting in such a car, feels comfort and safety.

He will also find a multimedia entertainment system here. LCD screens are installed inside, so the picture is beautiful and dynamic. The developers preferred to abandon sensors in favor of familiar toggles. Chernenko did not rule out that touch controls will appear in mass-produced Aurus models in the future.

Products under the Aurus brand

The names of Aurus models are derived from the Kremlin towers: Senatskaya, Arsenalnaya, Komendantskaya. The brand's lineup already includes:

  • Basic Aurus Senat sedan
  • Aurus Senat Limousine limousine
  • Extended Aurus Senat Long limousine
  • Aurus Komendant SUV
  • Aurus Arsenal minibus
  • Aurus Cabriolet 
  • Aurus Merlon motorcycles (in development)
Aurus Merlon

Currently, Russian engineers are developing Aurus Merlon electric motorcycles. The lineup was named after a merlon on the Kremlin wall.

The motorcycle is light, but a powerful battery is needed
Yuri Chernenko

Aurus Merlon motorcycles will accompany the presidential limousine at official events. They will also be available for free sale.

Aurus Senat

How Aurus is better than foreign counterparts

According to Chernenko, FSUE "NAMI" wanted their car to surpass foreign counterparts — Mercedes, Maybach, Rolls-Royce.

Aurus is somewhat better in some ways, and much better than imported limousines in others
Yuri Chernenko

Advantages of Aurus according to Chernenko:

  • More spacious than Maybach
  • Faster than Rolls-Royce
  • More comfortable than Maybach, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes when driving on cobblestones

No Western limousine can compare with Aurus in terms of acceleration due to its hybrid powertrain, the chief designer emphasized. Thanks to the suspension, the car rides on cobblestones or a bad road as if there were smooth asphalt under the wheels, he added.

Aurus Senat

Technical specifications of the Aurus lineup

Aurus brand cars are 70% localized. All models are equipped with a hybrid powertrain (8-cylinder gasoline engine with turbocharging with a capacity of 598 hp and an electric motor with a capacity of 62 hp), 9-speed Russian automatic transmission KATE, all-wheel drive.

Aurus Senat Limousine:

  1. Body length — 6630 mm
  2. Ground clearance — 200 mm
  3. Curb weight in armored version — 6540 kg
  4. Maximum speed — 160 km/h
  5. Acceleration to 100 km/h — 9 sec

Aurus Senat Long:

  • Body length — 6130 mm
  • Ground clearance — 200 mm
  • Curb weight in armored version — 6160 kg
  • Maximum speed — 190 km/h
  • Acceleration to 100 km/h — 8.1 sec

Aurus Senat Sedan:

  • Body length — 5632 mm
  • Ground clearance — 200 mm
  • Curb weight 3235 kg, in armored version — 5620 kg
  • Maximum speed — 250 km/h
  • Acceleration to 100 km/h — 5.7 sec

Aurus Komendant:

  • Body length — 5380 mm
  • Ground clearance — 200 mm
  • Curb weight 3235 kg, in armored version — 4675 kg
  • Maximum speed — 220 km/h
  • Acceleration to 100 km/h — 6.5 sec

Read on the topic:

Kim Jong-un arrives for the first time in Aurus gifted by Putin at an official event

The Ministry of Industry and Trade promised that Aurus cars will become more affordable in 2025

The Aurus Merlon electric motorcycle will appear on Russian roads as early as May 2024