New Delhi [India], September 12: Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit has drawn attention not only because of his first India visit in seven years, but also because of the heavily protected limousine brought for his movement in the capital. The Hongqi N701, Xi’s highly secretive state car, was transported through Delhi under thick black covers, sparking widespread curiosity on social media.
Xi arrived in New Delhi on Saturday for the September 12–13 BRICS Summit and is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit comes as India and China work towards improving relations after years of tensions following the 2020 border clash.
While the diplomatic significance of the visit is considerable, the sight of the covered vehicles has become a talking point of its own.
Why Was Xi Jinping’s Car Covered in Black?
The black covers were not necessarily intended to create mystery around Xi’s vehicle.
According to Hindustan Times, presidential cars are commonly transported separately from visiting leaders and can arrive in the host country before the leader. Heavy-duty covers are used during unloading, airport movement and transportation on carriers to protect the vehicles from dust, rain, sunlight and accidental damage.
For highly protected state vehicles, covering them also has an additional security advantage. It limits unnecessary photographs and public scrutiny of a vehicle before it is officially deployed.
Therefore, the black covering seen in Delhi appears to be primarily part of the logistics, protection and security arrangements surrounding Xi’s official vehicle rather than something unusual that happened after his arrival.
What Is the Hongqi N701?
The Hongqi N701 is not an ordinary luxury car that can be purchased from a showroom.
It is a bespoke state limousine associated with China’s top leadership, manufactured by Hongqi, the Chinese luxury automobile marque whose name translates to “Red Flag.” The company has had a long association with China’s political establishment since its establishment in 1958.
The N701 is believed to be derived from the design lineage of the Hongqi L5, another exceptionally large luxury limousine. Unlike mass-market Hongqi models, however, the N701 is intended for official state use and its detailed technical specifications remain undisclosed.
Around 5.5 Metres Long
Reports put the N701’s length at approximately 5.5 metres, or around 18 feet, giving it a commanding presence on the road. Its exterior carries the traditional Hongqi styling, including a large vertical grille and the brand’s distinctive red-flag emblem.
The design is deliberately formal rather than sporty. Its long body, large proportions and traditional styling are intended to convey the status associated with a Chinese head-of-state vehicle.
Heavy Armour and Bullet-Resistant Protection
The most closely guarded aspect of the N701 is its security equipment.
Reports indicate that the limousine features reinforced bodywork, bullet-resistant glass and specially protected wheels and tyres. Some reports have also claimed additional protection against explosive and chemical threats, although these capabilities have not been officially confirmed by Hongqi.
The lack of officially confirmed specifications is itself part of the vehicle’s security philosophy. Details about armour thickness, protective systems and other defensive equipment are generally kept confidential for state vehicles.
The Times of India reports that the N701 is believed to have 21-inch protected wheels, reinforced external armour and bullet-resistant glass. However, several of the more advanced protection claims remain based on reports rather than official technical documentation.
A Powerful V12 Engine
The N701 is widely reported to use a 6.0-litre V12 engine producing around 408 horsepower. However, Hongqi has not publicly released a complete specification sheet for the state limousine.
That makes direct comparisons with commercially available luxury cars difficult.
For a presidential limousine, outright performance is only one consideration. Reliability, protection, secure communications and the ability to operate safely under a range of conditions are considerably more important.
Xi Has Used the Car on Other Foreign Visits
The Delhi appearance is not the first time the Hongqi N701 has travelled outside China.
The limousine has previously been associated with Xi’s overseas visits, including trips to Russia, the United States, Hong Kong and Egypt. Its appearances have attracted international attention because relatively little is publicly known about its complete security configuration.
The decision to use a Chinese-built state limousine overseas also carries symbolic value. It showcases China’s domestic automotive industry while reinforcing the country’s preference for using its own equipment for the protection of its highest-ranking leadership.
Similar to America’s ‘The Beast’
The Hongqi N701 is often compared with the US presidential limousine popularly known as “The Beast.”
Both vehicles are heavily protected state cars designed around the security requirements of their respective presidents. However, the exact capabilities of the N701 remain much less publicly documented.
The US presidential limousine is known to incorporate extensive protective and communications systems. Whether the Chinese N701 has an equivalent level of integration has not been officially confirmed.
Putin Has Also Brought His Armoured Car to Delhi
Xi is not the only BRICS leader arriving in Delhi with a specialised state vehicle.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also brought his armoured Aurus Senat limousine to India. Both the Aurus and Hongqi represent their countries’ efforts to combine presidential security with domestically manufactured luxury vehicles.
With both leaders in Delhi for the BRICS Summit, the presence of these heavily protected vehicles has added another unusual visual element to an already high-security diplomatic event.
Why the N701 Is More Than Just a Car
The Hongqi N701 is ultimately more than a means of transportation.
For China’s leadership, it combines security, secrecy, engineering and political symbolism in one vehicle. Its restricted availability and limited public information make it fundamentally different from even the most expensive commercial luxury sedans.
Its arrival in Delhi under black covers has therefore attracted attention for two reasons: the mystery surrounding the car itself and the extraordinary security arrangements that accompany a major state visit.
As Xi Jinping participates in the BRICS Summit and meets Prime Minister Modi, the N701 will remain one of the most closely watched vehicles on Delhi’s roads.
