Xi Jinping Arrives in Delhi for BRICS Summit, Hongqi N701 Draws Attention
Xi Jinping began a two-day Delhi visit for the BRICS Summit, his first India trip in seven years, with bilateral talks scheduled with PM Modi.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Friday for a two-day visit to attend the BRICS Summit, marking his first trip to India in seven years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with him on Saturday evening.
The Chinese delegation accompanying Xi includes Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the CPC Central Committee's Political Bureau.
While the diplomatic agenda has drawn global attention, Xi's official state limousine, the Hongqi N701, has also become a subject of interest. The vehicle, built by FAW Group's Hongqi marque, is an ultra-exclusive armoured limousine designed solely for the Chinese president. It is reported to have been introduced around 2022, with plans to manufacture only about 50 units over a ten-year cycle for high-level state functions.
The N701 is engineered to withstand gunfire, chemical attacks, and explosive threats. Its exterior uses military-grade composite armour and heavy steel panels capable of resisting sustained assault rifle rounds and shrapnel from improvised explosive devices. Multi-layer bullet-resistant glass, combining thick polycarbonate and toughened panes, protects the cabin from high-calibre small-arms fire.
The vehicle also features an airtight, sealed cabin with an autonomous oxygen-compression filtration system to guard against toxic gas infiltration, mirroring US presidential convoy specifications. Its run-flat tyres, mounted on 21-inch reinforced wheels, allow it to escape ambush zones even when deflated or punctured. Inside, encrypted satellite links enable the interior to function as a rolling command post, keeping top leadership connected to domestic central command centres in real time.
Heavily armoured limousines typically weigh between three and five metric tonnes. According to Chinese patent filings and automotive intelligence, the N701 platform is powered either by an upgraded 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine producing approximately 408 hp or by a modern 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 paired with a hybrid electric powertrain developed in-house by FAW.
The Hongqi N701 reflects a deliberate shift in Chinese policy. Most world leaders, including Chinese officials, have historically used modified imported vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz or BMW limousines for diplomatic travel. Early in his tenure, Xi urged Chinese state institutions to favour domestic engineering over foreign brands. The N701, like the US presidential Cadillac One and Russia's Aurus Senat, represents a fusion of national pride, luxury, and defensive engineering in automotive diplomacy.