Russian President Putin To Visit India On December 4: Is His Car Better Than Donald Trump’s?

Russian President Vladimir Putin will be on a two-day India visit from December 4 to hold annual summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), announcing the visit,

said on Friday that it will set the vision for strengthening the India-Russia ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’. The Kremlin said both sides are expected to adopt a joint statement and sign a “wide range of interdepartmental and business agreements” following the talks between the leaders. During the visit, Putin will move in his official car. Which is it? How is it different from US President Donald Trump’s Beast?

It may be recalled that in September, Prime Minister Narendra Moditravelled with 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.

After the proceedings at the SCO Summit venue, President Putin and I travelled together to the venue of our bilateral meeting. Conversations with him are always insightful. pic.twitter.com/oYZVGDLxtc

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2025

Which car does Putin travel in?

Russia’s official state car for the president is Aurus Senat limousine. 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. 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 as it is a mix of Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

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 nine=speed automatic transmission. A V12 hybrid version has also been developed. It is capable of going from 0-100 km/h in about six seconds, with a top speed of around 249 km/h.

Bullets, grenades to chemical attacks: How secure is Putin’s car?

• The car can withstand armour-piercing bullets and grenade attacks, with run-flat tyres, reinforced glass (6 cm thick), emergency exits, and is built to standards of Russia’s Federal Protective Service.
• Roughly 7 m long, weighing several tonnes, it is 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 Trump travel in?

The Beast is the US 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). Its fuel type is diesel. Official specifications of the vehicle are classified. Even details like tyre pressure or fuel system architecture are confidential.

Armour, smoke screen: 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 Beastaims 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