Why Is Xi Jinping’s Hongqi N701 Covered in Black During BRICS Summit 2026? (Video)
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Hongqi N701 has drawn attention at the BRICS Summit 2026 after images showed cars believed to be part of his convoy transported under large black covers in Delhi. The coverings are likely linked to security and logistics, while the limousine’s armour and technical specifications remain largely undisclosed.
China President Xi Jinping’s arrival in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit 2026 has drawn attention to an unusual detail in his motorcade: cars believed to be part of his convoy were transported under large black covers. Images of the covered vehicles surfaced online, prompting questions about what was underneath and why the cars were being kept out of sight.
The vehicles are understood to include Xi’s official presidential limousine, the Hongqi N701. The car is specially built for China’s top leadership and is not a regular luxury vehicle available to the public. Bringing a leader’s protected vehicle to the host country ahead of an overseas visit is not unusual, as such cars are often transported separately for security and logistical reasons. Did PM Narendra Modi Gift a Self-Portrait to Xi Jinping? Fact Check Calls Claim Fake.
Xi Jinping’s Hongqi N701 Covered in Black During BRICS Summit 2026
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s convoy cars have arrived in Delhi ahead of his visit for the BRICS Summit. pic.twitter.com/mPrqGZ40Bw
— DesiEsco🇮🇳 (@DesiEsco7) September 11, 2026
Xi Jinping has used these covered cars before.
Simple explanation is to save it from scratches in transport.
Speculation is that there is a flaw in this car & they try to hide some signature emitted from a device inside.
Another is that it is a specialised cloth which can… pic.twitter.com/OSumTbMl29
— Siddharth's Echelon (@SiddharthKG7) September 12, 2026
Why Are Xi Jinping’s Cars Covered?
The use of heavy covers also serves a practical purpose. Vehicles can be shielded from dust, sunlight, rain and possible damage while being unloaded, moved through airport facilities or transported on carriers.
In the case of highly protected state cars, covering them also limits unnecessary exposure before they are required for official use. That secrecy has added to the interest surrounding the N701, whose specifications are not publicly known in full.
What Makes The Hongqi N701 Special?
Built by Chinese luxury marque Hongqi, meaning “Red Flag", the N701 is a bespoke presidential limousine associated with China’s leadership. The vehicle is reported to be around 5.5 metres long, giving it a substantial presence on the road. Its exterior carries the large grille and red-flag emblem identified with the Hongqi brand.
Much of its protection system remains undisclosed. Reports have described the limousine as heavily armoured, with features including bullet-resistant glass, reinforced bodywork and protected wheels and tyres. Claims that it can withstand explosive or chemical threats have also appeared in reports, although Hongqi has not officially confirmed many of these details.
The N701 has also been reported to use a 6.0-litre V12 engine with around 408 horsepower. Its complete technical specifications, however, remain a closely guarded matter.
A Car Xi Has Used On Foreign Visits
The N701 has previously accompanied Xi on overseas trips, including visits to Russia, the US, Hong Kong and Egypt. Each appearance has attracted attention because relatively little is known publicly about the limousine’s security features.
The use of the N701 also reflects China’s preference for a domestically produced presidential vehicle. Hongqi, founded in 1958, has a long history of association with China’s political leadership and has since expanded into the luxury car market.
Vladimir Putin’s Armoured Limousine Also In Delhi
The Chinese president is not the only BRICS leader to arrive with a specially protected state car. Russian President Vladimir Putin brought his Aurus Senat to India. The Russian limousine was also seen during Putin’s latest India visit, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled with him in the armoured vehicle.
With two major BRICS leaders using their own heavily protected presidential cars in Delhi, the unusual convoy arrangements have become one of the more eye-catching features surrounding the summit.
Why The Covered Convoy Matters
The covered vehicles do not necessarily indicate unusual security measures. Transporting official cars separately and protecting them from the elements can be part of the logistical arrangements for high-level international visits.
For the N701, however, the coverings have renewed attention on a presidential limousine whose design, protection systems and technical specifications remain largely undisclosed.
Its presence in Delhi therefore offers another glimpse into the security and logistical arrangements surrounding Xi Jinping’s overseas travel, while the black covers ensure that much of the vehicle remains out of public view.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 12, 2026 04:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
