WATCH Putin’s ‘beautiful’ Russian-made Aurus limo turn heads of German automakers at Mercedes plant

When President Vladimir Putin rolled into a new Mercedes plant near Moscow in his eye-catching Aurus Senat, the Russian-made ride turned the heads of the legendary German automakers, who even offered some words of praise.

Arriving at the opening ceremony of the new Daimler car factory, Putin stepped out of his slick metallic black limo and greeted the facility’s representatives on the shop floor. After shaking hands, one of the members of the welcoming crew commented on the Russian president’s automobile, telling Putin in German that he has a “beautiful car.”

Putin responded in German, proudly saying: “Ja, sehr schon” (Yes, [it’s] very beautiful).

The Aurus Senat was developed by the Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engines Institute (NAMI) in Moscow, and was shown to the public for the first time in September 2018. Aside from boasting a 598-horsepower 4.4-liter hybrid V-8 engine, the presidential limo is equipped with armored plating. NAMI says that the Senat will serve as the launch model for a full line of homemade ultra-luxury Aurus vehicles.

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