PM Modi Travels In Putin’s Car: Russia’s ‘Fortress-On-Wheels’ Versus Trump’s ‘Beast’

Last Updated:September 01, 2025, 13:49 IST

Which car does Russian President Vladimir Putin travel in? How is Russia's Aurus Senat different from US President Donald Trump’s Beast?

Donald Trump (left) and Vladimir Putin in their cars. (AP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday travelled with Russian President Vladimir Putin in his car to the venue of their bilateral meeting in China’s Tianjin.

“President Putin and I travelled together to the venue of our bilateral meeting. Conversations with him are always insightful," said PM Modi in a post on X.

Which car does Putin move in? How is it different from US President Donald Trump’s Beast?

Which car does Vladimir Putin travel in?

The Aurus Senat limousine is Russia’s official state car for the president. Au stands for ‘Aurum’, Latin for Gold, and Rus stands for Russia.

Introduced at Putin’s fourth inauguration in 2018, it replaced the older Mercedes Benz S 600 Guard Pullman previously used. It is produced by Russian Aurus Motors and available for public use. The current model is an armoured L700 Limousine. It is also nicknamed the Russian Rolls-Royce due to being a mixture of Rolls-Royce and Bentley, a blend of survivability and luxury.

Putin’s car specifications

Manufacturer: Built by Aurus Motors as part of Russia’s ‘Kortezh’ (Cortege) luxury vehicle series, designed and developed by NAMI.

Engine and performance: Initially powered by a 4.4 L twin turbo V 8 producing around 598 hp, paired with a 9 speed automatic transmission; a V 12 hybrid version has also been developed. Capable of 0 100 km/h in about 6 seconds, with a top speed around 249 km/h.

How secure is Putin’s car?

It can withstand armour-piercing bullets and grenade attacks, with run-flat tires, reinforced glass (6 cm thick), emergency exits, and built to standards of Russia’s Federal Protective Service.Roughly 7 m long, weighing several tonnes, and designed as a fortress-on-wheels.It can protect against chemical attack with extra oxygen. It has a fire suppression system and is armoured with composite materials for VR10 ballistic standard. It also boosts a mini command system.

Which car does Donald Trump travel in?

The Beast is the U.S. presidential limousine, a custom-made Cadillac also known as ‘Cadillac One’, ‘First Car’, ‘Stagecoach’. Commissioned in 2014, it officially entered service in 2018 during Trump’s presidency.

Designed to resemble a Cadillac XT6, it is built on a heavy-duty Chevrolet Kodiak truck chassis. It is produced by General Motors. It costs around $1–$1.5 million.

Trump’s car specifications

It has leather seating, water bottle holders, occasionally a fold-out desk, and high-level communications gear.

Typically flown abroad via military cargo aircraft such as the C 17, it was used by both Trump and Biden during the 2025 inauguration.

The engine type is likely Duramax 6.6L V8 diesel (or similar). The horsepower is estimated around 214-300 hp. Torque is likely 500-600 lb-ft. The top speed is likely 60-70 mph (96-112 km/h). Fuel type is diesel. Official specifications of the vehicle are classified. Even details like tire pressure or fuel system architecture are often confidential.

How secure is Trump’s car?

The Beast is equipped with roughly 8-inch-thick armour, 3-inch-thick ballistic glass, night-vision systems, tear-gas dispensers, electrified door handles, and secure communications, including the ability to transmit nuclear launch codes. It weighs around 20,000 pounds (9,000 kg).According to an NBC report, it has an armour made of aluminium, ceramic and steel. It has tear gas cannons, night-vision, and is rumoured to be a smoke screen, which means its movement can be concealed.The car has a stock of the President’s blood in case of emergency. It can seat seven people and has a communication system with the Pentagon and the Vice President.

Trump’s Beast vs Putin’s Aurus Senat

The Beast aims for security, while lacking mobility, while Aurus Senat goes for luxury and security with speed.

However, the Beast cannot be accessed by anyone else.

During his first visit to the US soil in over a decade, Putin rode the state car of the US. In early 2024, the Russian President gifted two Aurus Senat to Kim Jong Un.

With Agency Inputs

Location : First Published:

News explainers PM Modi Travels In Putin’s Car: Russia’s ‘Fortress-On-Wheels’ Versus Trump’s ‘Beast’

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