Aurus expands portfolio with new SUV by 2025: A Chinese transformation or Russia's struggle for power?

In an interview with the TASS agency, Denis Manturov, the Russian Minister of Industry and Commerce, announced that the Aurus brand portfolio will soon include an additional SUV. Intended as a more affordable business-class model, this new addition is likely to be smaller and less expensive than the current offerings from the manufacturer, particularly the Komendant. The SUV, aptly named the Komendant, was added to Aurus's lineup in November 2022 (ET), offering a formidable vehicle with a length of 17.65 ft. It is designed to rival vehicles such as the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Bentley Bentayga. However, there is one primary issue.

The launch of the new, smaller, and cheaper Aurus SUV is scheduled for 2025. Yet, the Russians don’t possess an original powertrain or many other components. Currently, all Auruses delivered to customers are equipped with a hybrid powertrain with a capacity of 4.4 liters and 598 HP, developed by Porsche and Bosch for the Russians. However, the recent invasion of Ukraine by the Kremlin has likely severely limited access to the necessary parts to assemble engines.

Could Aurus reveal an engine of their own as a solution to this problem? This seems highly unlikely, given the past announcements. During the premiere of the Sentat limousine in 2021 (ET), there were claims that a locally produced Russian engine would soon become part of the offering. However, no progress has been made to this effect. Moreover, post-sanction struggles experienced by Russia in equipping locally manufactured cars with basic features such as airbags, seat belt tensioners, and air conditioning show that the country's capabilities are considerably strained in this regard. However, some additional help is on the horizon.

Thanks to Chinese companies, the production of relatively modern vehicles in Russia has been possible. It will not be surprising, therefore, if the new Aurus model ends up being a transformed version of a Chinese car. A strong contender for a base model could be the Hongqi, or Red Flag, brand. The company, operational since 1958, was initially known for producing limousines for the Chinese government but now offers a broader range of SUVs, some of which are available in the Russian market.

While Aurus operates in the commercial market, at the core it remains a political project. Exact annual sales figures remain unknown and it is difficult to predict whether the company will turn a profit in the near future. However, as long as Aurus can be showcased to ordinary Russians as a symbol of achievement, it's bound to continue its operations.