This is Putin's flashy new limo
Russian President is getting a new purpose-designed limousine, but the rich can buy one too.
|||Moscow - Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel in a new Kortezh Russia-made limousine by late 2017 or early 2018, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov announced on Tuesday.
This year, 3.7 billion rubles (R814 million) have been allocated to finance the Kortezh, a project of nationally manufactured vehicles for state leaders and a line-up of limousines, sedans, off-road vehicles and minivans.
“The first batch should be shipped in late 2017 or early 2018,” Manturov told RIA Novosti, adding that the full batch of Putin's motorcade would include spare vehicles.
The minister said the limousines have been undergoing tests for about a year, and would be undergoing crash tests this month.
Porsche has reportedly been called in to help with the engines for the Kortezh, which means motorcade.
“We will complete all road certification tests in 2017,” Manturov noted.
He specified that Kortezh vehicles would be available to average citizens “without any restrictions.”
Output volume is expected to reach 5000 vehicles per year by 2020.