New Delhi: A high-security luxury limousine brought to India for Chinese President Xi Jinping has drawn attention during his visit for the 18th BRICS summit in Delhi. Xi is in India following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is scheduled to meet him later today.
As with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s travel security arrangements, Xi has arrived with a dedicated protective vehicle. He is travelling in the Hongqi N701, a limousine developed specifically for the Chinese President, and the same model has been used on previous trips including to Egypt, the United States, Russia and Hong Kong.
Hongqi—often described as China’s “Red Banner” luxury marque—is portrayed as having a stature in China comparable to the iconic status once held by the Hindustan Motors Ambassador in India. The N701 is said to be around 5.5 metres long, and a related Hongqi L5 limousine model was used during Prime Minister Modi’s 2025 visit to China.
The N701 is reported to feature 21-inch bulletproof wheels, bullet-resistant glass and heavy exterior armour plating. It is also said to be capable of withstanding explosive attacks and includes a pressurised air system intended to protect occupants from chemical threats.
Power is reportedly provided by a 6.0-litre V12 engine producing about 408 hp. The car’s security features have been compared with the US President’s armoured limousine known as “The Beast”, though it remains unconfirmed whether the Hongqi N701 offers the same level of integrated systems.
