We are able to get close up and personal with this prestigious Russian project.

You may have seen the images on TV, which showed Vladimir Putin riding in the new official vehicle of Aurus known as the Senat. It is extra long and extra black and, above all, it is made in Russia. The 2019 Geneva Motor Show Aurus will be displaying two versions of this luxury sedan. We were able to get a closer look at S600 and took advantage of the sit-down option inside.

The car looks very similar to Rolls-Royce or Bentley. However, we feel that the S600 moniker is more like Mercedes-Benz. The rich chrome grill is particularly striking, but the target clientele prefers it that way. The car is a Russian product, which gives it a certain confidence. This vehicle is destined for Russia.

Let’s now get into the technical details. Geneva features two versions of the Senat, the most fat being the L700 Limo (pictured below). It is seven tons and that’s largely due to its armor plating. Our up-close tour is taken in the non-armored Aurus Senat S600 sedan. It measures just one meter (3.2 ft) smaller than the armored Aurus Senat S600 sedan, but it’s still huge. The wheelbase decreases by the same amount, from 4.30 meters (14.1ft) to 3.30 metres (10.8ft).

The hybrid system that powers both vehicles consists of a 4.4-liter V8 gasoline-powered engine and an electric motor. It uses an intelligent all-wheel drive arrangement to transfer power to the pavement. There is a lot of power, 598 horsepower (446 Kilowatts), which is transmitted through a nine speed automatic without the need for a torque converter. The Senat S600 can reach 100 km/h in six seconds (62 mph) while the armor-plated L700 takes nine seconds. Both vehicles are equipped with big 255/55-series 20 inch tires.

These vehicles were developed jointly by foreign and Russian companies. They are based on an open-source modular platform that makes it easy to change parameters like vehicle type, wheelbase, length and vehicle length. A variety of armored and unarmored cars was also developed simultaneously. The Senat S600 has a rear-center wishbone axle, double wishbone front, and an electro-mechanical parking brake. It also features a hydraulic power steering and a hydraulic power steering. Standard equipment includes LED headlights with high-beam automatic operation. A number of safety and assistance systems, including nine airbags for protection, are available onboard.

Most buyers will spend their time climbing into the Senat S600’s back. It is spacious and has adjustable seats with ventilation and massage functions. The integrated refrigerator and bar compartment in the middle allows you to enjoy a glass of Krimsekt. Auris claims that the seat belts are safe for rear passengers even though the seats are at 45 degrees.

This sedan is full of luxury. Auris claims that the leather is Russian-made and our feet are seated on fur rugs. The mix also includes precious wood trim. However, it didn’t feel very precious to us in our Geneva example. Auris, like most luxury brands offers many trim options that don’t have to be limited to wood. The dials at the front feature striking integrated temperature displays that are crystal clear and reminiscent of Jaguar models. There are up to five flat screens at the rear depending on the Senat’s design, as well as wireless headphones. The custom-designed down pillows that are placed on the back of the seats are worth mentioning.

It is unclear whether the Aurus Senat is a “gauge in nobility” and “cutting-edge technology”, as the company claims, especially if you are thinking of a Rolls-Royce (or Maybach) vehicle. It is clear that Aurus engineers are determined to make a luxury vehicle.