It’s a limousine with the swagger of a KGB gunfighter.
Steely eyed Russian president Vladimir Putin can look forward to taking ownership of a new ride next year, Sputnik News reported (via Autoblog). And guess what? It’s a vehicle anyone in the Motherland (with money) can buy!
The limousine is a product of the state-funded Kortezh (Cortege) project, a 12.4 billion ruble ($181.9 million) venture implemented by the Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Institute in Moscow.
Sporting a tall, Packard-esque grille, a total of 5,000 Kortezh vehicles will be produced over the four-year term of the project, which wraps up in 2020. Putin’s limo, due to be delivered in late 2017, will no doubt have the ability to repel both bullets and controversy.
Available body styles include a sedan, limo, SUV and “microbus,” reports the Russia Times, which noted that “additional funds” might be needed to complete the production line. Given Russia’s current economic malaise, brought on by low oil prices and a falling currency, this shouldn’t be surprising.
The announcement means previous president (and Mercedes driver) Dmitry Medvedev’s plan to resurrect the hulking ZiL brand as the official state car is as dead as Lenin.
There’s no word yet on what engine powers these hulking conveyances, though Russian Commerce and Industry Minister Denis Manturov told the news agency RIA Novosti that Porsche engineers helped in its development.
Don’t hold your breath for an air-cooled, rear-mounted flat six.
Tensions between the West and Russia are chilly, so there was no chance that the U.S. would be the provider of a Russian state vehicle. With that in mind, enjoy this video of president Richard Nixon gifting a bespoke Lincoln Continental to tickled pink Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev at Camp David in 1973:
[Images: Sergey Subbotin/Sputnik]
Just think, a state-funded Russian company is better at making a modern interpretation of an American luxury vehicle than either Lincoln or Cadillac. Think on that for a second.
I like the middle one, with wrap-around chrome Art Deco trim, visible door handles, heraldic crest on steering wheel, and full moon alloys.
“Just think, a state-funded Russian company is better at making a modern interpretation of an American luxury vehicle than either Lincoln or Cadillac. Think on that for a second.”
BOOM!
To paraphrase Huggie Bear:
“That be one bada$$ mothafukka, ya dig?”
DROP MIC.
(A 2.0T 4 banger Cadillac CT6 powered by a 2.0T 4 banger is heard puttering in the background.)
“Just think, a state-funded Russian company is better at making a modern interpretation of an American luxury vehicle than either Lincoln or Cadillac. Think on that for a second.”
BOOM!
To paraphrase Huggie Bear:
“That be one bada$$ mothafukka, ya dig?”
DROP MIC.
(A Cadillac CT6 “Flagship” powered by a 2.0T 4 banger is heard puttering in the background.)
Dmitry, could we possibly hire you as the President of Cadillac?
Da!
EVERYONE here needs to watch this (for a myriad of reasons):
How Putin’s motorcade rolls (lead, follow or get TF out of the way!!!!):
92 Vehicle, High Speed, Motorcade:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2ki60HYlP8
This is when aircraft start to make sense, but perhaps its safer for them to travel on the ground?
It’s hard to intimidate the peasantry from an airplane.
His 92 vehicle motorcade is going to grow with those leaked Panama papers.
There’s lots of propaganda in both western & eastern media.
No side is clean.
Putin is corrupt, but look at the west.
Unfortunately, we’re at another historical juncture whereby the extreme inequality in wealth has led to a total, complete corruption of governments, including that of the U.S. (Near Total Capture of All 3 Branches of Government + Total Industry/Corporate Capture of Regulatory Agencies).
True, DW, but then again, we haven’t invaded Canada or Mexico recently.
“Are we sure these aren’t stretched Chrysler 300s with body jobs?”
Only 37K in research per unit to make it too…so cheap. :S
I don’t see American modern luxury in these cars. If anything a Russian take on Bentley and Rolls.
This car looks communist. I’m feeling M13 Chaika, Hongqi L5. Cars that you can just see pulling up with important party members. Like the guy responsible for the gulag train network or Chinese education camps.
Or if anything the Russians were impressed with the American interpretation of the cars “gangsters” and “thugs” drive. And thought it would be best for their gangsta in chief.
How many potato can fit into Party limo?
Is joke, only gulag and limo, no potato.
Does it have whale penis seating surfaces, by chance?
You’ve got to have whale penis surfaces with heated and cooled seating, or you’re nothing.
Gilding the Lily. Putin is a Whale Penis.
In true Russian style, Kortezh is just importing Chrysler 300Cs, changing the logos and depositing the difference in off-shore accounts.
Actually, there’s this company in Tallahassee, Florida that does it. They got their start changing the grills and logos on Camaros and turning them into Firebird Trans Ams.
Wow 12 billion roubles for a fugly Chrysler 300C funeral limo conversion. Bargain.
In Russia, limo drives you!
I like the boot around the gear selector- you want your bombproof limo to look at least a little sporty, I suppose.
Impressive! Though I do think they need to work on the branding. Cortege: a solemn procession, especially for a funeral. That about sums up the Russian economy.
I wonder how this compares to the POTUS “Caddys”?
Having worked on the powertrain for that one (Duramax 6.6 / Allison trans) I have to say they look NOTHING underneath like any production sedan.
Yeah. From what I heard, it was built on a medium-duty GM truck frame, and styled to look like a sedan.
They’re a ground-up special build. The front part of the ladder and the rear connecting axle hub are about the only original steel from the 1 tons they’re based on. Everything else is custom fabricated between GM and a private coachbuilder with some in-house secret service doing the final touches.
Short of a direct attack by a heavy artillery the ‘Caddy’ can withstand anything.
The video of The Beast getting beached on a little driveway apron in Ireland few years ago was hi-larious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BvABn7L_So
That’s not Obama’s “Beast” limo. That’s a G.W. Bush-era Cadillac.
Seems like people just can’t distinguish this: http://lln.mnmcdn.com/photos/content/january2013/thumbnails5.0/beast-ri_653.jpg
From this: http://my.net-link.net/~dcline/bush1.jpg
Neither of your photos match what’s in the video. :)
Yes, think MRAP…..
Color me unimpressed. If these are like most cars engineered by the Russian state companies, they will be very durable under bad conditions but will be unrefined to drive (or ride in), made of pretty terrible materials, woefully out-of-date technologically, and not very safe in a crash.
They also look like poorly styled Rolls Royce knockoffs. Appropriate for someone with the bad taste of Putin.
Dirty dog liar! Steering wheel pillowcase is hand knitted from pure silk!
Things do change. Russian stereotypes are just that. Those ” Clunker” Russian weapons are doing a sterling job in Syria. Putin and his military have realised if you want cutting edge you have to invest real money and research into a project. Explains the sheer number of fairly complex weapon systems being introduced. A lot being tested for potential buyers worldwide
The old ZIL limos had more presence and gravitas. This looks like a Chinese Phantom knockoff.
Are you sure those aren’t bad-guy cars from the latest James Bond movie?
Which Soviet-era truck and/or tractor motor will power this thing? Maybe a tank motor even? Any bets on diesel or petrol?
Surprising as it may seem, they have a line of pretty decent domestic engines for utility vehicles, such as those in Tigr. The problem is, they top around 200 hp, but a state limo needs at least twice that. The best they have for the application is going to come from license-built Renault diesels, I suspect.
Original ZiL engines of V-8 configuration were highly refined and produced very little vibration. However, their production is impossible to restart. In any case their power was not sufficient for the modern requirements.
I am guessing from sheer size, what-would-have-to-be tons of armor, and the Russian but particularly Putin proclivity for superlatives, it must need a huge engine, 1000hp or something over-the-top like that.
I’d guess diesel, for the lower volatility fuel.
I believe, Russian tank engines are multi-fuel and can work on anything
A Porsche developed unit, could be anything.
The front bumper brings to mind the postwar ZiS cars built with old Packard tooling.
http://www.moscow-driver.com/photos/var/albums/Special_Tours_and_Events/GorkyClassic_in_GUM/ALP-2014-0828-098-Armored-Limousine-ZIS-115-1949-Front-view-Gorkyclassic-Collection-GUM.jpg?m=1414437494
That’s a GANGSTERED OUT Chrysler 300.
My first thought was I’ll soon be seeing a 300 knockoff of this around my neighborhood soon.
Come let’s mix where oligarchs walk with sticks, or AK-47s in their mitts, Putin on the ritz.
So then ;
Those russian mafia assholes in the San Fernando Valley will soon be rolling in these too ? .
-Nate
Is $190-million even remotely enough to design a decent new car from the ground up?
If not this leaves 2 alternatives: either a reskinned car, or a small fleet of hand-built customs–impressive enough for an auto show, but a nightmare as a daily driver.
The latter would be a perfect metaphor for Putin’s Russia.
I’m in love, it’s like a modern Imperial. Immediately made me think of the Black Beauty.
http://www.madmaxcars.com/UserFiles/blackbeauty.jpg
I remember that.. Nixon said Brezhnev really hit the gas and he was terrified.
Since this looks like a thinly-cribbed Chrysler 300, maybe FCA can peddle its junk to Russia successfully!
The Duke of New York approves!
Recommend a Volkswagen Diesel Engine for this vehicle. Understand that there are plenty available and pollution would not be an issue. Nobody would dare to discuss it.
A VW owned Scania 730hp, 2,500lbs ft of torque V8 would do the trick. If he is worried about exceeding Euro 6, the normal truck and engine combo are regularly highway tested for compliance