Agong visits NAMI in Russia, test drives Aurus Senat
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, is in Russia for a state visit, and how could a true car fan like His Majesty not visit the Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engines Institute (NAMI) while there?
His Majesty, accompanied by defence minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and foreign affairs ministry secretary-general Dato’ Seri Amran Mohd Zin, was welcomed by NAMI director-general Fedor Nazarov yesterday. After being briefed on NAMI’s latest technological innovations, His Majesty toured the showroom and plant before test-driving an Aurus Senat, the country’s state car.
Established in 1918 as Russia’s first automotive research lab, NAMI today houses lab facilities, test tracks and an autonomous vehicle zone. It is perhaps best known for developing the Aurus Senat and other vehicles in the Kortezh range, including the Arsenal van and Komendant SUV.
Tuanku already has a Hongqi L5 (known today as the Guoli; His Majesty was the world’s first owner), a long-wheelbase Genesis G90 and a few Mercedes-Benz 600s – we think an Aurus Senat would be a brilliant addition to the collection of flag-bearers, don’t you?
