RUSSIA SHOWS OFF NEW LUXURY SEDAN, PUTIN LIMOUSINE
Russia unveiled a new luxury sedan at a Moscow motor show on Wednesday
and also showed off the Russian-built limousine that President Vladimir Putin
took for a televised drive during his swearing-in ceremony in May.
The Aurus Senat four-seater sedan was presented to reporters
as the latest addition to the nascent Cortege range of Russian-made vehicles
championed by Putin. The series is also expected to include a minivan, offroad
vehicle and motorcycle.
The limousine, also built under the Aurus brand, had its
first public outing in May when Putin used it instead of his usual Mercedes at
his inauguration for a new presidential term, sending a patriotic message of
Russian self-sufficiency.
Russia has been trying reduce its dependence on imported
goods and technology, a drive that has gathered speed since Russia was hit by
Western sanctions.
The Aurus series is produced by a Russian research institute
known by the acronym NAMI in partnership with Russian carmaker Sollers.
Industry Minister Denis Manturov, who took part in
Wednesday’s unveiling, said contracts for commercial orders of Aurus cars would
be signed from next month, the RIA news agency reported.
He said about 120 Aurus vehicles would be produced next year,
adding that the off-road vehicle was expected to enter serial production by the
beginning of 2020, RIA reported.
Manturov said an electric Aurus motorbike would enter serial
production no sooner than 2020.
The limousine is intended to become the heir to
the Russian-made ZIL sedans that for decades transported Soviet leaders.Source : Reuters
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