If you’re in the market for a luxury sedan, but a R3.9-million Bentley is not for you and a R10-million Rolls-Royce is too pricey, the Aurus Senat might hit the spot.
This Russian-made luxury sedan went into production in mid-2021 and currently has a starting price of 24,000,000 Russian Rubles (R4,767,387).
There is also an armoured limousine version of the Senat on offer which is the “official vehicle of the President of Russia,” said Aurus.
“I travel in such vehicles and I have driven them many times. This is truly a high-quality vehicle which meets all the world standards,” said Vladimir Putin of the brand, reports ekapija.
Both Senat models give you flavours of the Rolls-Royce Phantom with their slatted grilles and curvy headlights; as well as hints of the Bentley Flying Spur with their flattened rears and rectangular tail lights.
However, the Senat is a product of its own and a car that “combines excellent driving performance, impeccable comfort, and unsurpassed passenger protection,” said its manufacturer.
Comfort
The comfort of the Aurus Senat is provided by four large, “anatomically shaped” Nappa leather seats with electric adjustment, while the rear of the cabin gets electric sunshades, reclining seats, a champagne cooler, tray tables, a rear-seat entertainment centre, individual climate control, and a hidden power-outlet hub.
It also features a proprietary “Human-Machine Interface” (HMI) infotainment system with individual remote controls for rear passengers and multiple customisation options, depending on the customer’s tastes.
The HMI brings Bluetooth support, a Wi-Fi access point, a wireless charger, and a set of unique sounds that were “recorded in a professional studio using live strings and wind instruments,” said Aurus.
Additionally, there are digital displays and premium materials – such as open-pore wood and aluminium – scattered throughout the cabin to enhance the opulent atmosphere.
The luxury sedan is equipped with an emergency call system, emergency braking system, ABS with brake assist, LED lights with auto high-beams, nine airbags, and integrated advanced driver assist systems, too – although the automaker did not say exactly which features this includes.
Power
The Senat’s V8 hybrid engine was designed exclusively for Aurus with the help of Porsche Engineering, said the manufacturer.
The powertrain mates a 4.4-litre, bi-turbocharged petrol engine to an electric motor to generate a total of 492kW and 1,000Nm – which is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission.
This lets the Aurus sprint to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 250km/h, while combined fuel consumption is rated at 14.0l/100km.
These performance numbers are made more impressive by the fact the Senat sits 200mm off the ground, measures 5,630mm long, 2,020mm wide, and 1,695mm tall – and weighs 2.7 tonnes.
Compared to the Rolls-Royce Phantom, the Aurus is slightly shorter and narrower, but it’s much larger than the Flying Spur from Bentley.
Markets
The Aurus Senat is primarily sold in Russia, but is also being exported to the Middle East, China, and Africa at the request of its wealthy clients.
If you want one you will have to wait a while, though, as according to a report by AutoJosh the first two years’ worth of Senat units were sold out before the vehicle even went into production.
The Senat factory aims to produce 200 units per year.
Aurus Senat
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