Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to arrive in New Delhi later this month for the 18th BRICS Summit, and along with him will come one of the most exclusive and secure vehicles on the planet — the Hongqi N701 state limousine.
The N701, produced by FAW Group under the Hongqi or 'Red Flag' brand, was unveiled relatively recently and has since become the preferred transport for top Chinese leadership. The vehicle is purpose-built for national security rather than comfort alone, featuring an array of protective systems that specialists describe as among the most advanced in any government-run motorcade worldwide.
Security analysts note that the N701 incorporates ballistic armour capable of withstanding high-calibre gunfire and explosive threats, filtered climate-control systems designed to protect against chemical or biological agents, and reinforced suspension and tyre configurations that allow the vehicle to remain mobile even after sustaining significant damage. The car is also believed to include jamming technology intended to defeat remote-detonation devices and other electronic threats.
International media have frequently drawn parallels between the N701 and the United States' presidential limousine known as 'The Beast,' which has long been the subject of public curiosity. Both vehicles share similar design philosophies — a heavily armoured body built around a powerful chassis, with every visible element engineered to signal authority while providing maximum protection. However, the N701 is somewhat longer and carries distinct styling cues tied to Chinese automotive identity.
The presence of such a high-specification vehicle in Delhi during the BRICS gathering underscores China's emphasis on leadership security protocol and its desire to project technological capability on the global stage. It also reflects the broader trend among major powers of investing heavily in bespoke motorcade engineering as part of overall defence strategy.
The 18th BRICS Summit brings together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and several partner nations, with discussions expected to cover geopolitical cooperation, trade frameworks, and economic resilience among emerging markets.
