New real-life images and patent renderings of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative to create a new line of domestic luxury vehicles have been published on the net.
Named Project Cortege (or Kortezh), the initiative is being implemented by the Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Institute in Moscow in cooperation with a consortium of Russian engineering and design companies.
The plan calls for a presidential limo for Putin himself, as well as other high-ranking members of the government, together with an entire family of special purpose vehicles, including a minivan, a shorter sedan and an SUV.
Last we heard about the Project Cortege was in April, when images of the, as of yet, unnamed, presidential limousine in scale model (exterior) and prototype (interior) forms made the Russian news. Now, we have patent renderings of both the regular sedan and SUV as well as pictures of a prototype version of the latter, courtesy of Drom and Instagram user @duble13, respectively.
The large luxury SUV doesn’t look like the one on the patents, so we’re not sure if it’s a different model or perhaps one of the design directions that its creators are examining at this stage. Either way, there’s something very British about the styling of all three cars, with the two sedans bearing an undeniable resemblance to the Rolls-Royce Phantom, while the pair of crossovers seem inspired by various Land Rovers and Bentleys (in particular the Bentayga and the EXF-9 concept)
Helping the Russians with the Cortege series is Porsche, which was brought on board to assist in the development of the powertrains, which are believed to include V8 and V12 mills.
In April, the Russians announced that the first batch of Cortege cars will roll off the production line at the end of 2017, with President Putin to receive the first car. While the Russian government will be the brand’s biggest client, acting Russian Minister of Trade and Industry, Denis Manturov, told the press that the cars will be offered for sale to the general public as well.
Thanks to Mikhail S. for the heads up!
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