As a rule, the heads of major world states travel in cars specially made to order for them. Usually these are armored models of a representative class, equipped with a special set of security equipment. It is interesting that certain information about these cars is classified, so it is almost impossible to accurately name their cost and the full range of options available inside.

Overview

It is difficult to say which of the heads of state in the world has the “coolest” transport, since at first glance all the cars are outwardly good. But one thing can be said for sure: the leaders of large countries in which the automotive industry is developed move around on domestic models. For example, the President of Italy, popularizing the local auto industry, drives a five-meter sedan of the Lancia Thema brand. The head of the Czech Republic received a gift from the Skoda auto concern superb new generations. For more than six decades, all French presidents have been driving only the car of their country.

The exception is Vladimir Putin. Today he is driving an armored Mercedes S600 Pullman. Glancing at the cars of the current president of the Russian Federation, we can unequivocally conclude that at work the head of our state prefers premium german cars, although there are models in his personal garage domestic brands cars, some of which are rare value.

Pullman armor reliably protects against grenades and machine guns. The car is also equipped with a pressurization system in case there is a gas attack. The interior of this limousine is more like a mini-office: Russian President has the ability to solve government issues, being directly in the car. Information about the options and how the internal security systems work is a secret. However, according to preliminary estimates, such a limousine cost at least nine hundred thousand euros.

Before Russian leaders traveled in armored limousines ZIL-41052. The intelligence of the United States for a long time could not find out their secret. And only after the collapse of the USSR, the Americans purchased and dismantled the ZIL-41052. It turned out that the Russians had not reinforced its frame with armor. Our designers managed to create a special armored capsule, and a car was already assembled around it. The President of the Russian Federation has long wanted to transfer to a domestic car model. And such an opportunity will present itself very soon. To this end, a completely new "Cortege" was created.

The car, the photo of which is presented below, will be available to everyone at the beginning of 2018.

general information

Ordinary citizens are unlikely to know that all the cars of the Russian head of state belong to a structural unit of the FSO - the Special Purpose Garage. The history of its existence dates back to 1921, when the Council of People's Commissars allocated several cars designed to serve Lenin and his family. However, the date of birth of GON can be considered 1906, when the Imperial motorized garage was created at the court of Nicholas II. The cars that were in it, after the revolution, were inherited by the Bolshevik government.

Today, the main means of transportation of the head of the Russian state is an armored "Mercedes" class S, model Grand Pullman. It, depending on the goals, is sometimes changed to Mercedes Sprinter, VW Caravelle or BMW 5-Series.

The elongated executive limousine of the president was made on special order. Its length is 6.2 meters. The assembly of this machine was carried out in conditions of strict secrecy. According to some reports, it weighs about three tons. This "weight" is primarily due to the massive armor of the body, as well as the presence of special tires that can withstand not only shots, but also grenade explosions. However, despite such a tangible mass, the current president's car has quite decent dynamics, which is provided by a 400-horsepower engine with a displacement of six liters. However, it is known that Putin prefers technology domestic production. Even the helicopters he flies are Russian Mi-8s. That is why the Cortege project was launched on his initiative.

New cars of the head of state

It is already known that the elected President of Russia will arrive at the inauguration in 2018 in a new super limousine. Photos of this car have already been exposed in the media. It is known that the "Cortege" - the car of the President of Russia - will look much better than the "mega-Cadillac" of its American counterpart. From now on, the head of our state can be seen leaving not from a special version, but from a domestically produced limousine. What are the cars of the Cortege project, their photos, specifications- all this will be presented in this article. About twelve billion rubles were planned for the creation of this ambitious program, according to the media, and only 3.61 billion rubles will be transferred directly from the budget. A whole family of limousines will be created for this amount. Russian production.

"Cortege" - a car, the photo of which is presented below, will be produced not only for the first persons of our state. Several modifications are provided. SUVs, sedans - cars of the "Cortege" series - will be mass-produced. It is assumed that at least five thousand units will be produced per year, which will be sold, including to private individuals.

The lineup

Cars "Cortege" of Russian production will be presented in several versions. According to the program, a sedan, limousine, minivan and SUV produced under this program will soon appear. Of course, not everyone will be equipped with “presidential” armor, special communications, etc. Only the Cortege of the President of Russia will have a special assembly. New car it is supposed to purchase for other representatives of the authorities. Upon prior request, certain additional options can be installed on them.

Both domestic and world automotive industry experts already today admit that Cortege cars will be very popular not only among government officials, but also among wealthy businessmen. However, do not think that this will be a commercial project. After all, since Soviet times, for the first time in Russia, “its own” supercar will appear, which will be driven by both the head of state and his escorts. Cars of the Cortege project, as you know, include a limousine for the President of Russia, as well as support vehicles with SUV and minibus bodies intended for accompanying persons.

Description

First of all, the Cortege is the car of the President of Russia. Therefore, for cars of this level, the limousine of the head of state will be provided with an armored capsule, communication and special communications systems, multimedia devices, means for protecting against listening or intercepting information, evacuation, radio-electronic options for power defense. Presidential cars "Cortege" will be equipped with tires that work even after heavy shelling. A disc system will be installed on them so that the limousine can, if necessary, drive even without tires. Another innovation will be a special gas tank. It is said that even without security vehicles and a territory cleared by the FSO, which is impossible in reality, people in this vehicle will be protected from an enemy helicopter, a drone, as well as from grenades and a machine gun.

Additional Information

Today, many experts are interested in what the Cortege cars are. Needless to say, this is a fictitious name. In FSUE NAMI - the Automotive Research Institute - the project is called "Unified modular platform”, briefly EMP. This uncomplicated name is explained by many. After all, we are talking not only about the presidential limousine, but also about several other models that have a single technical “stuffing”.

It must be said that modular platforms are widely used today in the automotive industry. None known in the world car company can't do without them. The most famous representatives of the modular family in Russia are MQB, which combines Audi models, Volkswagen, Skoda and SEAT, as well as B0, which is used for Renault, Lada, Nissan, Dacia cars.

"Single Modular Platform"

It was developed by US, but already at the initial stage, very serious German partners joined this project. These are Bosch Engineering and Porsche Engineering. The last to be developed was one of the two engines that power Russian-made Cortege vehicles. According to media reports, this unit was created on the basis of an existing Porsche V8 engine with a volume of 4.6 liters, however, in the domestic specification, its cubic capacity was reduced to 4.4 liters. However, it must be said that the performance of the engine will not suffer from this: it is expected that with the help of the existing two turbochargers, the Cortege cars will have a power of up to 600 Horse power and a torque of 880 Nm.

Specifications

The second motor, which will be equipped with "Cortege" - a new Russian car is V12. It is developed directly in NAMI. This engine was first demonstrated at the International Motor Show in Moscow in 2016. With a volume of 6.6 liters and the support of a pair of two-stage turbines, the engine will develop 860 hp. forces and 1000 Nm of torque. Traction is supplied to the wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission, produced by the Russian company "Kate". According to some reports, an electric motor is built into the “automatic”, the working name of which is R932, instead of a torque converter. Thanks to this innovation, Cortege vehicles will have all the advantages of a hybrid drive. By the way, a similar transmission device is provided for both Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The acceleration time of all models is seven seconds, and the maximum speed they can develop is 250 kilometers per hour.

Design models "Cortege"

The new photo of which can already be seen in the media is very often discussed by experts. In recent years, several dozen versions of sketches of all models in the series have been published. It is already known that the main style of the supercar was developed at NAMI in the Russian Automotive Design division. However, the final version model range can only be seen at the end of 2017. There are only sketchy images of the presidential limousine. They were published in the bulletin issued by Rospatent in 2017.
A year earlier, the design of the front panel of the car was declassified in the same department of Russia. The photo shows a generous leather and wood finish, giving appearance undeniably a noble sight.

As in the case of a single platform, as well as engines and transmission, the interior design of the entire model range - limousine, crossover, sedan and minibus - will be similar. Judging by the pictures published in the press, all of them will be equipped with a digital dashboard, a sufficiently large screen and, of course, two “washers” that regulate the climate control inside the cars. They are provided for both the driver and the front passenger. It is not difficult to guess that the presidential limousine will also have a climate system for the rear passenger.

Dimensions

To date, the preliminary parameters of the cars of the Cortege series are already known. The executive limousine has a length of 5800-6300 mm, a width of 2000-2200 mm with a wheelbase of 3400-3800, and a height of 1600-1650.

SUV class escort vehicles have slightly different parameters. Their length is 5300-5700, width - 2000-2100, wheelbase- 3000-3300, and height - 1850-1950 millimeters.

The parameters of the minibus are also very impressive. Its length is 5400-5800 mm, width - 2000-2100 with a wheelbase of 3200-3500 and a height of 1900-2200.

Involvement of foreign companies

Perhaps one of the most famous foreign companies that took part in the project is the Swedish Haldex. Its all-wheel drive systems are well known to motorists. However, only one of its divisions took part in the project, which produces pneumatic brakes. They are often used on executive limousines.

At the same time, Brembo was working on the brakes of the Cortege series - enough well-known manufacturer from Italy, whose products are often installed on sports and racing cars. There is another company on the list of co-executors of the project - the famous French Valeo, which produces auto components. V Nizhny Novgorod it has a production of windshield wipers and lighting systems.

The list of creators of domestic presidential transport also includes Harman Connected. It specializes in audio systems manufactured under the Bang&Olufsen and Harman/Kordon brands. They are installed on models of premium brands by such giants of the automotive industry as BMW and Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, etc. In the Cortege project, Harman Connected was engaged in software development. This company also has a representative office in Nizhny Novgorod. She developed software for multimedia systems for the president's car, as well as for the first persons of our state.

Already in January 2014, in Novo-Ogarevo, Russian President Putin was able to evaluate the prototype of a VIP limousine called "Cortege". He liked the car, he even got behind the wheel of a model, but then it was impossible to talk about full-fledged testing.

Putin saw "prototype A", which by the end of 2017 will be at the disposal of the Federal Security Service. The developers initially warned that they would not be able to quickly design the entire car from scratch. However, they identified several key components that are characterized as a "purely Russian product." This is the body, starting from its design and ending with the structure, the engine is a sign of the brand, the transmission, since for the first time in the world a presidential limousine is all-wheel drive, the chassis, including the tuning of components and components from already well-known companies, electronics - engine management, chassis and transmission .

Well, everything seems to be working. Yes, we've been talking about this for a long time. At first, I somehow could not believe it - again, another "project in the nightstand." But then they mentioned that Putin in 2018 should drive such cars at the inauguration. Then we discussed.

And yesterday it was reported that the production of a pilot pre-production batch of cars based on the Unified Modular Platform (SMP, project "Cortege") has begun.

According to the message of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov visited NAMI, where he held a meeting in connection with the start of the assembly of a pilot pre-production batch of cars within the framework of the project.

At the same time, the minister expressed confidence that "the latest developments underlying the Unified Modular Platform will largely determine the future of the Russian automotive industry and its positioning on the world stage."

“On the one hand, we are creating a modern design school based on the most advanced technologies and design approaches. On the other hand, we are entering a new premium automotive segment. production of the component base," said Manturov, whose words are quoted in the message.

As the Ministry of Industry and Trade told Interfax, the meeting took place on November 10, and production started at the same time.

The ministry notes that the first stage of the project provides for the creation of production facilities on the basis of FSUE NAMI, designed for a volume of 150-200 vehicles, including special versions, some of which will go on free sale in late 2018 - early 2019 . New cars will be presented in sedan, limousine and minivan. The second stage involves the production of a commercial series of cars with a volume of 5,000 or more units per year "using large-scale production capacities of partner enterprises."

New cars will be presented in sedan, limousine and minivan. The second stage involves the production of a commercial series of cars with a volume of 5,000 units per year using large-scale production capacities of partner enterprises.
The cars will be equipped with 250 horsepower engines, a 650-horsepower V8 and a four-turbocharged twelve-cylinder unit capable of delivering about 850 horsepower. The car is also equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission gears.

Earlier it was reported that the development and production of domestic cars based on a single modular platform that ensures the creation of vehicles for the transportation and escort of the first persons of the state, is estimated at 8.051 billion rubles. The corresponding purchase from a single supplier was placed at the end of November on the public procurement portal of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. The contract was expected to be completed by December 31, 2016.

The project is being implemented by order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated February 6, 2014. The main task is to develop a modern platform, the components of which domestic automakers could include in the design own machines. Approximately 5% of the total volume of produced cars will be for special vehicles for the first persons of the state.

Manturov previously also stated that off-road vehicles on the Kortezh platform would be produced by the Sollers group at the facilities of Ulyanovsky LLC. car factory(part of Sollers). In addition, the production of several lines of premium and business class cars will be organized.

But just a few days ago they showed a motorcycle of the Cortege project on the Sochi Formula 1 track

The Izh concept bike was tested on the Formula 1 track in Sochi. Motorcycle dimensions - 2900 x 940 x 1250 mm. Weight - 510 kg. Max speed- 250 km / h. Acceleration to 100 km / h takes 3.5 seconds. boxer engine develops 150 hp and 180 Nm.

Vladimir Putin arrived at the inauguration of the President of Russia on May 7 in a new car - Russian limousine"Cortege". The car was assembled at the facilities of FSUE "NAMI" with the involvement of Russian and foreign partners. Limousine length - 6620 mm, width - 2000 mm, height - 1695 mm, ground clearance- 200 mm, said the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

In terms of dimensions, the new limousine exceeds all Rolls-Royce models, says an employee of the car dealership of this brand. The largest is the long-wheelbase Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB (from 51 million rubles). Its length is 6092 mm, width - 1990 mm, height - 1640 mm. The model is equipped with a V12 engine with a capacity of 453 hp. With.

At the limousine "Cortege" four-wheel drive, hybrid power point- V8 gasoline engine with a volume of 4.4 liters and a capacity of 598 liters. with., combined with electric motors, as well as an automatic 9-speed gearbox. The motor was developed jointly with Porsche Engineering, the gearbox was developed by the Russian company KATE, Autoreview reported.

What is this car

The Cortege project has been implemented since 2012 and cost the state more than 12 billion rubles. In addition to the limousine, NAMI has developed and organized the production of other models: sedan, minivan and crossover (will be produced in premium and budget options). The cars will be produced under the Aurus brand.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade does not disclose the technical characteristics of the models. According to Autoreview, the same automatic transmissions will be used for the entire line, and the V8 engine will be common for sedans, SUVs and minivans. The limousine will also be equipped with a V12 engine with a capacity of 860 hp. With. Rolls-Royce and Bentley became benchmarks for luxury cars, a person close to the project told Vedomosti. Rolls-Royce in Russia costs from 20 million rubles, Bentley - from 10 million rubles.

Acceptance of orders for cars "Cortege" will begin from the end of August - the beginning of September 2018, and said. O. Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov. “We will take the first orders for different versions cars - sedans and limousines, ”Interfax reported his words. Sales will start in the first quarter of 2019, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said. Machines are also expected to be exported. “By the end of 2018, we must produce and deliver 70 vehicles,” Manturov said in an interview with Vedomosti.

Prices have not yet been confirmed. They will be named closer to the start of orders, says a person with knowledge of the details of the project. Manturov only said that prices for a sedan will start at approximately 10 million rubles. “It will definitely be at least 20% cheaper than Rolls-Royce and Bentley,” he said. O. minister. - But it will be more expensive than the most base Mercedes S-class".

How to develop a project

The presentation of the new family will take place at the Moscow Motor Show in August, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said. For promotion, sales and after-sales service Aurus vehicles NAMI created a joint venture with Sollers. “Our joint company has started operations and we are preparing to present a market entry plan in the near future,” a Sollers spokesman said, without disclosing details.

At the first stage, Aurus is planned to be produced at the facilities of NAMI. In the future, a production partner will be involved. Manturov called production at the facilities of Sollers the main option (he owns the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant). The Sollers representative does not comment on this.

In 2018, the next presidential elections will be held in Russia, and the head of state will be taken to the inauguration ceremony in a new domestically produced limousine. The current presidential limousine Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Pullman will be replaced by a car that bears the working title "Cortege". New limousine will be the most comfortable, secure and equipped with all possible types of communication.

As the media found out, funding for the creation of the Cortege project has been saved, within which 3.7 billion rubles are allocated from the state budget alone. An assembly site for limousines for the first persons of the state is already located in Moscow.

Thus, Denis Manturov, the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, recently admitted that the budget financing "has not been frozen." “I don’t remember what name it goes under (a line in the budget), but we haven’t frozen anything - 3.7 billion rubles, as planned, it is. All plans remain not only in force, they are being implemented,” he said . Moreover, the prototype, which will not be shown to anyone to maintain intrigue and secrecy, will be ready in January 2016.

“We should ship the first pre-production batch to the FSO at the end of 2017, respectively, you will see it at the inauguration,” the minister shared, referring to the inauguration of the Russian president after the elections in 2018.

"Until now, it is not known exactly what working volume the engine will have - 6.0 liters or 6.6 liters. But the power of this engine will have to be within 800 horsepower," the press has already written. Journalists added that there are other cars in the project - "a sedan, an SUV and a minibus", which will receive turbo engines "with a smaller displacement."

By the way, the SUV and sedan from the Cortege project will be mass-produced - at least 5,000 units per year and will be sold even to private (of course, very wealthy) individuals. It is clear that private cars of the "Cortege" series will not be equipped with "presidential" armor and special communications (unless, of course, they are purchased at state auctions for the leadership of government bodies).

“In July 2013, the Russian government banned state and municipal purchases of foreign-made cars,” the publications said, explaining that we are not talking about Russian complete or “screwdriver” assemblies of foreign cars. True, for top managers, all machines, their components, assemblies and the smallest details are checked by the FSO and the FSB for "bookmarks" and vulnerabilities.

Experts, including world experts in the automotive industry, already recognize that the Cortege brand (or "a car like the president's") will be very popular with wealthy businessmen and government officials. However, this is not about a commercial project - after all, for the first time since the Soviet era, Russia will have its own supercar, which the head of state will drive - and his escort cars.

"As you know, the Cortege project includes the development of a limousine for the President of the Russian Federation, support vehicles in the bodies of SUVs and minibuses for accompanying persons," experts confirm.

"The styling of the Stalinist ZIS-115 limousine can be considered quite successful: on the one hand, its motives are unmistakably recognizable in the prototype of the Cortege project, on the other hand, they do not have a single exterior detail similar in shape," the media share, analyzing the leaked data about the project "Cortege".

“Naturally, in vehicles of this level there is an armored capsule, communications and special communications systems, multimedia systems, means of protection against listening and interception of communications, evacuation systems, electronic and power defense systems, as well as all kinds of special “gadgets.” Tires that even after heavy shelling work , a system of disks on which a limousine can drive without tires, a special gas tank," says the person who had a hand in the creation of Soviet and post-Soviet limousines for the country's leadership.

He added that even without the territory cleared by the FSO and security vehicles, “which does not happen in reality,” those in the limousine “should be fully armed with the appearance of a hostile helicopter, drone, grenade and machine gunners.

Of course, he did not disclose the specifications of the Cortege project, as well as the details of booking the presidential limousine, special communications systems, and other subtleties.

“The exact information about the design of the “armored cars” is kept in the strictest confidence. Each car is assembled on special order, but it is known that special tires are installed on the car, allowing it to continue moving despite punctures,” experts write.

"Self-sealing fuel tank and an automatic fire extinguishing system. According to experts, the limousine has cylinders with a supply of air, which will withstand a gas attack, hidden loopholes, compartments for storing a variety of weapons," they add.

Some experts even report that " american car president is good if you're in a little trouble, but ours is ready for war." They explain that "car occupants can survive a small nuclear explosion, but at a certain distance."

"It will be power, grandeur, strength, technology and safety - probably, these words can describe the head limousine of the Cortege," one of the participants in the development of the Cortege project shared with one of the participants in the development of the Cortege project, adding - any more detailed description is a violation of state secrets.

"The FSO and the GON should receive cars of the Cortege project in advance for their development, for training all drivers, security - each presidential limousine or minibus has its own dynamics, acceleration, weight, skid, behavior on the road. Every moment must be taken into account for a comfortable and safe passage of routes, in case of emergency, and so on," he explained. "Of course, it is possible that someone will "merge" in the media the appearance of the project "Cortege" in 2016, this will appear in the media and will be discussed - but no one will know the "stuffing" for sure.

Photo: Stepan Schumacher | US

Perhaps this will be the most unusual display of a new car. The debut of the firstborn of the Cortege family - and officially it is called EMP ("Unified Modular Platform") - is likely to coincide with the inauguration of the President of Russia. The cortege starts with the presidential limousine EMP-412311, and ends with "light" base sedan EMP-412300. However, it still begins with this sedan ...

We traveled on EMP prototypes, but it's too early to share our impressions: finishing work is in full swing. But we can talk about the fact that "the first Russian high-class car created from scratch" was developed ... From the heel. From the right heel of the driver!

If usually automotive designers are set on the right path by marketers, then in this case a link was added to marketing in the person of the customer of the main versions: technical task on the armored "board number one" - the Ministry of Industry and Trade claimed. Of course, the presidential limousine is only a part of the EMP project, but, firstly, the most important part, and secondly, all EMP cars are largely unified with each other. So the genes of the presidential limousine will be carried by each model of the Cortege. And do not say that this is an easy burden.

Do you know why, for example, a rich man executive sedan multimedia system- without integration of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto interfaces? For security reasons, to eliminate the risk of data leakage when connecting the phone to the car! The refusal of the touchscreen is explained not only by the desire to avoid sloppy prints in the midst of varnished splendor, but also by the inability to use it with back row. The interface itself is extremely concise - so that you do not have to wander through it with rare use. These cars are unlikely to be stuck in traffic jams, and drivers are unlikely to be allowed to while away the waiting time wandering through multimedia interfaces.

A “horizontal” structure was chosen for the interior architecture. The maximum number of components and parts, such as the instrument cluster, steering wheel, multimedia and climate control units, seat structure, deflectors, will be unified for -EMP cars. In the decoration - a symbiosis of natural materials (wood with "open pore", leather of natural colors and textures) with metals, glass and plastic

So, in the end, the driver had an “automatic” lever, a volume knob, hot keys for essential functions (louder, warmer, smoother, faster) and a multimedia control joystick washer at hand. Through the driver's interface, you can manage the "music", climate control and seat settings, including massage, although the rear passenger remote control has priority.

The leather-wrapped gear selector lever will remain in its usual place - on the tunnel. All options are beautiful, but it is not clear: is this shape for the top grip or for the side grip?

Devices in the current fashion are virtual, but with a “pointer” design and large numbers (the design of the shield, like the multimedia system, is domestic development). The location of the transmission selector is conservative, without Mercedes liberties. However, the two-spoke steering wheel itself is very reminiscent of that on the S-class: even the “music” control is located on the right, and the cruise control is on the left. Although the driver turns to “music” much more often, which means, in theory, it is better to entrust control to the left hand, which, unlike the right, is almost always on the steering wheel.

In the course of the search for the optimal steering wheel, several samples were made, and in the end they settled on a steering wheel with two spokes, which is not immediately distinguishable from a Mercedes one. Unless the German is not circularly round, but is barely flattened from the sides along two chords

The design is also assembled from the wishes of the customer - from the front manners of the "one hundred and first" ZIS (but no references to Brezhnev's ZILs!) To the notes of "government offices" in the cabin. Although the designers interior decoration EMP sedans are designed to resemble a modern living room: a lot of wood and extensive free surfaces.

They tried to reflect the features of the brand and, in general, Russian design in the patterns of the knurling of the shifters - they say the pattern was inspired by the domes of St. Basil's Cathedral

The back of the rear sofa can be tilted back by 45 degrees (of course, the electric drive!), However, the ottoman footrest was abandoned: it threatens an awkward hitch during a stately exit from the car.

Standard back angle rear seat- 27 degrees, and when reclining to the Relax position, it increases to 45 degrees

All EMP sedans will have a crossover ground clearance of 200mm. Remember how Barack Obama's Cadillac Presidential lay on its belly while going through the ramp? So, even for a limousine, the so-called ramp angle will be no less than for a short-wheelbase Mercedes S-class. To help and non-alternative all-wheel drive, albeit not with a mechanical differential, but with a clutch responsible for supplying traction to the front wheels. If the car, which is unlikely, runs aground, then it will pull itself out.

And all the cars of the EMP project will be hybrids - with an electric motor built between the engine and transmission. But not for the sake of ecology or economy: a hybrid scheme is also a way to increase the survivability of a car by eliminating - drive belts and mounted units. The electric machine (as it is called in NAMI) of the hybrid transmission plays the role of a starter and a generator, the gas distribution mechanism and the power steering pump are driven by a chain, and the vacuum pump is driven by a camshaft. The electric machine also allows the possibility of movement exclusively on electric traction - in order to maintain mobility in case of damage to the main engine.

It would seem that it is necessary to develop such a car “from the back sofa”. But then the design would be carried out not just from scratch, but contrary to all the canons of the automotive industry. So from an engineering point of view, the EMP family is still built around the driver, more precisely, around the heel of his right foot when it lies on the gas pedal.

From small to large: A motorcade with its range of “comfortable” height would be convenient for both the short British queen (Elizabeth II has a height of 163 cm) and the lanky Donald Trump (191 cm)

For designers, this is one of the two main points of the machine. In the industry, it is commonly called AHP, Accelerator Heel Point. In the case of the EMP family, it was with it that the “zero” of the vertical coordinate axis Z was combined, although the binding of other axes is quite traditional: the “zero” of the transverse Y axis lies on the longitudinal plane of symmetry, and the beginning of the horizontal axis X will coincide with the center of the front wheels. The second important point is usually denoted by the letter H (among other variants of the name - Hip Point), and it is located on the axis of the driver's hip joint.

Curiously, for linkers, the vertical distance between these points is a criterion for various types of landing. If it is in the range from 135 mm to 180 mm, then the fit is considered sporty. Elevation difference for "normal" passenger car- up to 300 mm. A distance from 300 mm to 350 mm is a sign of a minivan or crossover. And if the H point is higher than AHP up to 400 mm, this is already a sign of a minibus, serious SUV or truck.

This is the key sketch of the massive front seat in the basic configuration, on the basis of which several options for an optional cut will be offered in the future. In the deliberately lush upper part of the back (“boyar collar”), just behind the headrest, a barely noticeable, but rather deep and “grasping” recess is made to help the rear passengers get out

In this sense, an EMP sedan with 327 mm between the AHP and H points is quite a "crossover". That is, in relation to the floor of the car, the driver is higher than in “ordinary” sedans, but at the same time his legs are slightly bent. But almost the same landing in the EMP-412500 minivan, and in the EMP-412410 crossover with the manners of an SUV. This, by and large, is the "unity" and "modularity" of all models of the project, and many other common solutions are a consequence of the chosen unified fit. Of course general engines, transmissions, suspensions and electrical systems also reduce costs, including design labor. But the overall fit makes it possible to unify the body as much as possible along with the seats. By the way, engineers compare the complexity of developing chairs with the hassle of creating an engine.

Landing of the motorcade driver is higher than in limousines Mercedes S-class and Rolls-Royce Phantom. But among SUVs, there are options with a “more commanding” landing - for example, Range Rover

So, for EMP sedans, crossovers and minivans, both the front doorways and the slope of the pillar are very close windshield. This, by the way, made the designers sweat, because the location and slope of the sedans pillar turned out to be not the most advantageous from an aesthetic point of view: the pillar “shoots” into the front overhang, and not into the center front wheel making the nose bulky. It took several cosmetic manipulations to visually correct this nuance and create the impression of a large “prestige distance”, that is, the distance between the front axle and the passenger compartment.

In addition, the EMP family also has a common body floor, and if in most cars the floor, together with the thresholds, can be compared with a trough, at the bottom of which the seats are fixed, then here the thresholds protrude downward. This made it possible to hide pipes and other underground facilities behind removable protective screens, simultaneously protecting and cardan shaft, and a muffler. In addition, the shields are an excellent aerodynamic aid. And as a bonus - a decrease in the height of the central tunnel of the floor. However, this is not critical, because the rear seats are exclusively for two, and a couple of referents in a six-seater limousine will traditionally be placed on folding straps.

Thanks to the “inverted” thresholds, the step in the Cortege rises above the mat by only two centimeters, while in the S-class Mercedes (left) it rises by nine

And yes, with such an “inverted” floor, you don’t need to move your legs over the threshold: if in the S-Class Mercedes the threshold step rises nine centimeters above the rug, then in the Cortege it is barely noticeable two.

On the other hand, the fundamental point H was about 50 mm higher in relation to the floor than in the same S-class, and in relation to the ground - more than 100 mm. But when leaving high machine the supporting leg, in search of the earth's firmament, bends more strongly at the knee joint, which increases the risk of contact of the lower leg with the threshold. Fortunately, in the case of the Cortege, the thresholds are a priori clean, since the door panels reach their lower edges and are adjacent to the seal. Yes, and the seat cushion, most likely, will “land” a little (now they are looking for a Russian supplier of good-quality chairs), but for now, seat elements from foreign cars are used on prototypes. But in any case, both the massager and the back of the sofa with a variable angle of inclination will remain.

And yet, in terms of technology, the EMP family has a lot of differences. For example, armored and conventional vehicles differ in suspension and undercarriage down to the wheel hubs. In protected vehicles (they are called “heavy” here), they are designed for a mass of more than five tons, and special 20-inch tires from the Nizhnekamsk Tire Plant are shod on wheels with a bulletproof insert that allows you to continue moving with a puncture or lumbago. For “civilian” sedans weighing up to 3.5 tons, tires for Krasnoyarsk K&K wheels will be ordinary, and although the suspensions are architecturally similar, aluminum is used instead of steel levers, and air springs are used instead of springs. And reducer rear axle designed for lower torque.

Industrial espionage? Nowadays, it is not at all necessary to purchase analogues: there are several agencies in the world that are ready, at the request of the customer, to disassemble any car into molecules, and at the same time take pictures and drawings of the elements of interest, conduct a material science examination ... One of these companies is A2Mac1 with branches in several countries. The picture shows the anatomy of the Mercedes S-Class threshold. However, NAMI still bought a couple of "analogues" - all-wheel drive Mercedes S 500 and two Panameras - Turbo S and Hybrid

The common engine for "short" sedans, SUVs and minivans, as we have already said, will be a 4.4-liter V8 petrol (600 hp and 880 Nm) with an aluminum block and two turbochargers. And the limousines will receive a V12 engine with four turbochargers with a capacity of as much as 860 hp. (torque about 1000 Nm), although it is possible that at first its place will be taken by the V8 engine.

The "automatic" for all cars will be the same - a nine-speed planetary gearbox R932 of the Russian company KATE with a torque of up to 1000 Nm. It is curious that there is no traditional torque converter here: smooth switching is ensured by slipping of the clutches and the same electric machine, which in transient conditions can throw up a “smoothing” torque.

The first to appear are sedans (both “heavy”, armored, and “light”), along with them minibuses (MPV) and, of course, limousines. It is expected that in 2018, 100 cars will be assembled on the stocks of NAMI, and the estimated annual capacity when working in one shift is about 150 cars.