Here is some background on the original 'Red October':
The drama of the story partially centers around the dual capabilities of this submarine. As a submarine of the Typhoon class, it carries many ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads. With a stealthy propulsion unit, it can no longer be detected by NATO naval vessels. As described in both the book and the film, these capabilities combine to create a horrific weapon, whereby the submarine could easily reach the coastal waters of a city, like Washington DC, fire its missiles, and destroy key targets before any government or military leaders could order a counterattack.One interpretation, as offered in the film and book, is that this submarine's existence is for one purpose: not as a deterrent to an American attack on the Soviet Union, but solely as a weapon offirst strike. It thus becomes critical for the U.S. government to see this submarine either destroyed or captured.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_October_(submarine)
Here is some info on the new Borei class submarines!
Super-modern, powerful and almost noiseless Russian nuclear submarine Vladimir Monomakh has been put in water to become the third ship of the Borei project. The cruiser is about to begin sea trials and mooring to become fully operational in 2013.
http://rt.com/news/russian-noiseless-borei-submarine-106/
Judging by its appearance it seems the Russians have abandoned the Typhoons classes ungainly design for a return to the more traditional 'Delta' Class designs of the 1970s and 1960s. Most likely this design is much more agile and allows the submarine to better evade Hunter/ Killers out to sink it.
Hopefully this submarines appearance is not a new signal of belligerence by the Russians. However they are perhaps 'rational actors' only taking appropriate action against war-mongering Trilaterallists and Neo-cons!
