Yesterday is President Barack Hussein Obama's first day in office as the 44th President of the United States of America. Following his inauguration, he will also be taking delivery of his new limousine - dubbed as Cadillac One, in similar naming convention to his presidental plane Air Force One. The Secret Service guys who will be maintaining the vehicle however, calls it "The Beast." Built by General Motor's Cadillac division, The Beast weighs an estimated 7 to 8 tonnes, and is protected by armoured platings that are up to 8 inches thick. As such each of the doors are as large and as heavy as those on a Boeing 747 jetliner.
While the exact specifications are unknown for security reasons, the car is rumoured to be based on a truck chassis, from the mega huge GMC Topkick truck. Below are some of the interesting features that the Cadillac One is rumoured to have.
1. A pack of the President's blood type.
2. 8 inch thick armour plating, including ceramic materials included to detonate any projectiles before penetrating the vehicle's armour plating.
3. Kevlar reinforced run flat tires with inner steel wheels to allow the car to continue driving even after the rubber tires are completely destroyed.
4. 5-inch thick steel plate armour underneath the car to protect against bombs.
5. Completely air tight cabin and an emergency oxygen supply to protect against chemical and biological attacks.
6. Armoured and foam filled fuel tank.
7. Counter-offensive weapons including pump-action shotguns and tear gas cannons.
8. All windows are bullet proof and only the driver's window opens, for only 3 inches.
Check out the thickness of those doors!
Click to enlarge
Of course none of the above could verified since among the specifications given to Cadillac by the US Secret Service is "no discussion on the specifications."
Images from US Secret Service, Car Advice, and eGM
US Presidential limousines have a lifespan of around 10 years, but it will only be in service of the President for 4 years, after which the car will be handed down to the vice-president and other head of states. In fact, President George W. Bush's Cadillac DTS limousine, delivered in 2004 will still continue to be in active service as a backup car.
President George W. Bush's Cadillac DTS Presidential limo.
All presidential limousines will be destroyed at the end of their lifespan to avoid falling into the hands of terrorists. This practise was implemented during the Bush administration, in response to the terror attacks on United States interests. Prior to the Kennedy assasination, US Presidents used to ride in open-top limousines, thus President Kennedy's Lincoln open-top limousine was the last open-top presidential limo. A slow moving car on a predictable path meant that the the occupants are easy targets for terrorists / snipers.
President John F. Kennedy's Lincoln open-top limo. The same car he was assasinated in.
Cadillac have been supplying cars to US Presidents since 1919, when President Woodrow Wilson rode through the streets of Boston during the World War 1 victory parade. Until 1993, all Cadillac presidential limos were converted by independent coach builders. It was only until the Clinton administration era in 1993 when Cadillac started building the bespoke limos in-house.
Another interesting point to note is that prior to his election as President, Senator Barack Obama's previous car was a Chrysler 300C. But facing an increasingly environmentally sensitive American public, Obama had to ditch his fuel guzzling V8 Chrysler for a hybrid. But of course, he cannot be seen driving a Japanese Toyota Prius lest he loses support from the UAW guys and also financial support for his campaigning efforts from Big 3; GM, Ford and Chrysler. Obama replaced his 300C with a Ford Escape Hybrid SUV. He had to buy American. In fact, Obama's Chrysler was once put up on sale on eBay.
Related link : Mercedes S600 Pullman Guard armoured limo.
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