As the saying goes, it's better late than never. Smuggling in a luxury vehicle, in defiance of international sanctions, as Putin is accused of doing, is bound to take time.
On Sunday, February 18, Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, took delivery of a new ride, which also happens to be a gift from Russian President Vladimir Putin. It's an Aurus Senat limo, the kind that Putin himself uses on Presidential and personal business, and in which he took Jong Un for a ride when he visited Russia last September.
During a tour of the Vostochny cosmodrome, Putin invited the North Korean leader to have a look inside his Presidential limo and then hop in the back seat for a ride. According to a Kremlin spokesperson cited by The Guardian, Jong Un loved the ride, so much so that Putin considered a Senat a right gift of appreciation.
As for the delay of said gift, it could be explained by the existence of international sanctions against North Korea for its nuclear weapons program. Among other things, the UN bars the import of luxury vehicles in the country, a move that Russia initially supported but is clearly not anymore.
The gift is more than confirmation of the budding bromance between the two leaders: it's confirmation of their agreement and mutual support on a variety of issues, including weapons tech, which North Korea is believed to be giving Russia in its war against Ukraine. The Senat gift is also seen as confirmation that Putin is expected to visit North Korea soon.
Photo: Aurus
Politics aside, and whatever intent behind the gesture, the Senat will be in fine company in Jong Un's impressive fleet of cars. He's a passionate car collector with a soft spot for Mercedes-Maybachs and other luxury brands, and the Senat is designed as their equal, especially in fully loaded spec. We're assuming that that's what Putin sent over to North Korea because this is not the kind of occasion you cheap out.
Dubbed a Rolls-Royce copycat, the Senat limo is made by the state-backed company Aurus, founded in 2018 with the goal of providing rides for the country's most influential and richest men, Putin included.
Power comes from a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine developed with help from Porsche and an electric engine developing a total of 600 hp, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Top speed is 250 kph (155 mph), and the highest spec brings safety features that render it indestructible.
These features include an armored fuel tank, armored underside, ballistic body protection, and bullet-proof windows, wheels that remain functional even if all tires are punctured, an intercom system, air filtration in case of gas poisoning, and a fire extinguishing system. Supposedly, all these and many more are also found in Putin's limo(s).
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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