Russian Startup Unveils Ultra-Luxury Sedan, Plans SUV

Aurus, a newly launched car company in Russia, has introduced a super luxury sedan for global markets that will be joined by a similarly appointed SUV/crossover in 2019.

The startup is 75% owned by NAMI, a Russian automotive research institute. Russian carmaker OSJC Sollers owns the remaining 25% of the company.

Aurus unveiled its sedan, the Rolls-Royce-inspired Senat, at the Moscow auto show earlier today. The carmaker will begin testing the SUV/crossover variant next year.

The venture aims in its first year to build about 150 armored Senat limousines at a NAMI facility. Many of those cars will be used by Russian state officials, including President Vladimir Putin.

The startup’s goal is build its own assembly plant with annual capacity to make 5,000 civilian versions of the vehicles, which will be priced at about 10 million rubles ($147,000). Aurus reportedly will begin exporting Senat limousines to China and the Middle East late this year.

The company also targets eventual sales in Europe, China, South America and perhaps the U.S. The company plans to show the Senat at the Geneva auto show in March.

The all-wheel-drive car is powered by a 4.4-liter V-8 gasoline engine developed by NAMI and Porsche AG. A V-12 reportedly will be added later.