Remember the Senat, the 120-example Rolls-like armored executive sedan-come-limo for Russian politicians and gangsters that sold out so quickly in 2018? Well, it seems that Aurus, the young Moscow-based automaker that built the dark, hunkering, not-so-crypto-militant ride, is back again with another vehicle in the same vein.

In keeping with lingering Soviet neuroses, the new Aurus also aspires to British automotive aristocracy: it looks a lot like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan…but doubles down on the sticker. And as it’s called the Komendant, it’s even less-so subtle than the Senat.

When the Senat was announced five years ago, Vladimir himself did the marketing honors, and Aurus crowed about an upcoming, 800-horsepower V12. Well, that’s not the engine the Komendant is outfitted with — but it does have a 590-HP V8 to its credit, and can launch to 62 MPH in 6.5 seconds and ultimately reach 137. That’s not bad for a 3.5-ton behemoth. But although the Komendant is a hybrid vehicle, it’s certainly not ecologically relevant: it gets less than thirteen miles to a gallon.

The interiors of the Komendant follow from the Senat: creature comforts galore. Like the Senat, the Komendant is designed to be amenable to a chauffeured lifestyle, and each of the rear seats of the cabin has a dedicated screen, while the console between them houses their dedicated tables. The Senat could be optioned with a mini-fridge and crystal glasses, and so the Komendant can be so optioned, too.

Aurus has a minivan, too. It’s called the Arsenal. And if that isn’t a punch line, then you hip us.

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