Chinese language President Xi Jinping’s arrival in Delhi for the BRICS summit has introduced an uncommon sight to the capital’s roads: automobiles from his official convoy being transported underneath heavy black covers earlier than the Chinese language chief himself arrived within the metropolis.
Pictures and movies of the wrapped automobiles have gone viral on social media, prompting curiosity over what precisely was being moved underneath the covers and why the automobiles have been being saved out of sight.
On the centre of the intrigue is the Hongqi N701, the extremely secretive, closely armoured limousine utilized by Xi. The Chinese language president’s official automobiles are understood to have been transported to India forward of his arrival, as is frequent with specifically protected state automobiles throughout abroad visits.
Why was Xi’s automotive coated?
Masking official automobiles throughout abroad visits is essentially a matter of safety, logistics and safety. Presidential automobiles are sometimes shipped individually and may attain the host nation earlier than the visiting chief.
Heavy-duty covers or tarpaulins are sometimes used whereas the automobiles are unloaded from cargo plane, moved by way of airport premises or transported on flatbed carriers. Apart from shielding the automobiles from mud, rain, daylight and unintended harm, the covers assist maintain them in pristine situation till they’re wanted.
For extremely safe state automobiles, retaining them coated throughout transit can even restrict pointless publicity, pictures or scrutiny earlier than they’re put into service.
So, the black overlaying seen in Delhi predates Xi’s arrival and is greatest understood as a part of the transportation and safety preparations for his official automobiles, fairly than a response to something that occurred after he landed.
Nonetheless, the sight has naturally fuelled curiosity as a result of the automobile beneath isn’t any unusual presidential limousine.
The thriller limousine: Hongqi N701
Xi’s major presidential automobile is the Hongqi N701, a bespoke limousine produced by Chinese language luxurious marque Hongqi, whose title interprets to “Purple Flag”.
The N701 is just not an unusual luxurious sedan accessible to the general public. It’s understood to have been developed particularly for China’s high management, with its detailed specs saved underneath wraps.
In accordance with studies, the limousine is round 5.5 metres lengthy — roughly 18 toes — giving it an enormous highway presence. Its design options the imposing grille and red-flag emblem related to Hongqi.
The automotive is closely armoured and is believed to function bullet-resistant glass, bolstered bodywork and specifically protected wheels and tyres. Some studies have attributed safety in opposition to explosive threats and chemical assaults to the automobile, though many of those particulars have by no means been formally confirmed by Hongqi.
Experiences have additionally mentioned the N701 is powered by a 6.0-litre V12 engine producing round 408 horsepower. The precise specs, nonetheless, stay formally undisclosed.
That secrecy is a part of what makes the automobile so fascinating to automotive fanatics and safety watchers.
Xi has taken the N701 overseas earlier than
The Delhi look is just not the primary abroad outing for the N701.
The limousine has beforehand been seen accompanying Xi on international journeys, together with visits to Russia, the US, Hong Kong and Egypt. Its appearances overseas have repeatedly attracted consideration due to its imposing design and the restricted info accessible about its armour and different safety features.
The automobile additionally represents the Chinese language management’s choice for utilizing a domestically produced limousine for the president fairly than counting on a international luxurious marque.
Hongqi, established in 1958, has an extended affiliation with China’s political management. Whereas it has since advanced right into a broader luxurious car model, its state connection stays notably distinguished.
Not the one presidential ‘fortress’ in Delhi
Xi’s Hongqi is just not the one closely armoured presidential limousine to reach within the Indian capital for the BRICS summit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has introduced his Aurus Senat, one other bespoke state limousine designed to supply in depth safety to its occupants.
The Aurus has additionally attracted appreciable consideration throughout Putin’s India visits. Throughout his newest go to, Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled with Putin within the Russian president’s armoured limousine.