The first known use of the Senat was during Russian president Vladimir Putin's 2018 presidential inauguration.[9] The Senat was shown publicly at the Moscow International Automobile Salon in September 2018. Cars of the Kortezh series (also known in )[10][11] were expected to be available for export to the Middle East and China in late 2018.[12] A civilian version of the Senat is manufactured by a joint venture between the NAMI and LiAZ firms.[12] Expected retail prices were increased in 2018 to 10 million rubles ($US160,000), but in 2021, still before the first deliveries, became higher than 20 million rubles (~$US300,000).[13] The Aurus Senat is part of the Kortezh series, which will eventually include a van and an SUV.[14]
In June 2022, Turkmenistan purchased a Senat for use by Serdar Berdimuhamedov.[15]
On February 20, 2024, it was reported that Kim Jong Un received a Senat as a gift from President Vladimir Putin, which South Korea says is against UN sanctions on providing certain vehicles including luxury cars.[16] In mid March 2024, North Korean television released footage appearing to show Kim Jong Un using the car to attend a military event.[17] On June 19, 2024, Putin gave Kim another Senat as a gift.[18]
Development of the Senat began in 2013[19] with production, in civilian S600 or official L700 versions, beginning in 2021 at the Sollers JSC factory in Yelabuga.[20][21][22] Porsche and Bosch helped develop the engine.[23]
The armoured limousine version is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 engine developed by NAMI, with a 6.6-litre V12 (634 kW) becoming available at a later date.[4]
The vehicle got a facelift in 2024.[24]
