While on a state visit to the Russian Federation, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, who is a known automotive enthusiast, paid a visit to the Russian Automotive Technology Development Center (NAMI) in Moscow.
NAMI was established in 1918 and was the first and leading scientific and engineering centre in the Russian Federation. It is also one of Europe’s largest automotive testing centres, with lab facilities, test tracks, and a dedicated zone for autonomous vehicles.
The facility acts as a hub to build and test a wide range of vehicles from luxury passenger cars to agricultural machinery as well as innovative automotive components. It also developed the Aurus Senat, Russia’s latest official state car, which Sultan Ibrahim test-drove after receiving a briefing on the organisation’s latest automotive innovations.
The Aurus Senat is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 hybrid powertrain that boasts a combined system output of 598 hp and 880 Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission, allowing for a 0-100 km/h in 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 190 km/h.
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The car is slightly smaller compared to the Rolls-Royce Phantom, measuring 5,632 mm in length, 2,020 mm in width, 1,689 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,300 mm. It can also be had as a long-wheelbase model, which extends the wheelbase to 3,800 mm and a length of 6,130 mm. The limousine version stretches it even more dramatically and is also offered with ballistic protection — clearly for the political elites.
While civilian models are available for purchase, the Aurus Senat is primarily used to transport high-ranking officials. It is also known as the personal limousine of Russian President Vladimir Putin, with one unit gifted to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Though it has not been confirmed if Sultan Ibrahim has purchased himself a unit, His Majesty is also an avid collector of cars with a tasteful collection of cruisers all in his arsenal including a Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, a Mercedes-Benz 600, and a Honqi L5 — the latter making His Majesty the world’s first owner outside of China.
His Majesty’s children are equally enthusiastic, with His Highness Prince Jefri Ibrahim and His Highness Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim of the Johor Royal Family both competing in the Johor Motorsports Racing team’s Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R.
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