With various technological and security devices, Barack Obama’s official vehicle looks more like a war tank, even having a tear gas cannon! The design of the “obamóvel” – manufactured by GM and presented at the inauguration ceremony in 2010 – is based on that of the luxurious Cadillac, but, to support the weight of the armor, its structure is that of a GMC Topkick truck. Popularly known as Cadillac One, the carango is called by CIA agents The Beast (“The Beast”, in English). Check out the vehicle’s incredible features and, below, take a ride in the official cars of the world’s top heads of state.
1) AMBULANCE AND FIREMAN
In the back, there are some of the devices worthy of adventure movies. In addition to a fire-fighting control, there are oxygen tanks and even bags of the president’s blood for emergency transfusions.
2) OFFICE ON WHEELS
In order not to waste time during his trips, Obama has a mini-office, which includes a folding table, a laptop with Wi-Fi, a satellite phone and two direct lines: one for the vice president, the other for the Pentagon.
3) HARD
For defense against landmines, the floor is reinforced with a 13 cm steel plate. The chassis is made up of a sandwich of steel, aluminum, titanium and ceramic blades, being able to stop projectiles from most weapons.
4) NO ONE ENTER, NO ONE LEAVE
The reinforced doors are 20 cm thick and weigh as much as those on a Boeing 757. When closed, they hermetically seal the cabin, preventing gas attacks. A system filters all the air entering and leaving the vehicle.
5) CAVEIRÃO IS A CARD
The Cadillac One would put the fearsome caveirão to shame on any Bope mission in Rio de Janeiro. In addition to impenetrable armor, it has night vision cameras, shotguns in secret compartments and even tear gas cannons.
6) EACH ONE IN HIS SQUARE
The cabin, for up to four passengers, is separated from the driver’s seat by a retractable glass partition that only Obama can operate. Another exclusive button on the president’s panel is the anti-panic button, which, if necessary, immediately activates the CIA agents.
7) CHUFFER 007
The driver undergoes intensive training at the CIA to drive under all kinds of conditions – from heavy rain to terrorist attacks. Next to the steering wheel, there is a communication center and a GPS screen.
8) FLANELINHAS’ LUCK
Windows are reinforced to withstand gunfire. The only one that opens is the driver’s, even so, just a crack – a mere 7.5 cm, just so he can pay a toll or communicate with agents who follow the car outside, on foot.
9) WHY STEP?
Protected with aramid (the type of weave used in bulletproof vests), the tires are bullet, puncture and tear proof. Even if they are destroyed, a steel structure on the wheels allows the car to keep moving and escape danger.
Datasheet
Motor Duramax V8 (diesel) 6.5 l
Length 5.4 m
Height 1.55 m
Consumption 3.4 km/l
Estimated weight* 4 500 kg
Maximum speed 96 km/h, which reaches in 15 s
Estimated price* BRL 920 thousand
THE OFFICIAL CAR OF OTHER COUNTRIES
UK
Since 2002, Queen Elizabeth II has had two Bentley limousines modified to circle: 91 cm longer, 25 cm higher, 15 cm wider and with doors that open at an angle of almost 90º. Prime Minister Gordon Brown pilots a Jaguar Super V8 with grenade-resistant armor, oxygen supply and sabotage sensors.
Datasheet
Model jaguar super v8
Motor V8 4.2 l
Power 400 hp
Estimated weight* 3 thousand kg
Maximum speed 249 km/h
Estimated price* BRL 607 thousand
FRANCE
To avoid favoritism, the official fleet has cars from the three main brands in the country. Citroën offers a C6 and Peugeot a Vel Satis. But President Nicolas Sarkozy’s favorite is the Renault 607 Paladine, a unique concept car. It is pure luxury: its metal roof is retractable and the design of the leather upholstery is signed by the Hermès brand.
Datasheet
Model Renault 607 Paladine
Motor V6 3 l
Power 400 hp
Estimated weight* 3 thousand kg
Maximum speed 212 km/h
Estimated price* BRL 516 thousand
GERMANY
This is another country full of automakers, which requires diplomacy from Chancellor Angela Merkel. The title of official car would fit the S600-Guard, from Mercedes-Benz, but Merkel rotates: with the A8, from Audi; vehicles from the 7 Series line, from BMW; and, above all, Volkswagen’s Phaeton. Interestingly, her car does not carry the flag: that is the privilege of the president, Horst Köhler.
Datasheet
Model Volkswagen Phaeton
Motor W12 6 l
Power 443 hp
Estimated weight* 4 thousand kg
Maximum speed 249 km/h
Estimated price* BRL 607 thousand
BRAZIL
A year ago, President Lula adopted the Ford Fusion as his official car. The Presidency’s Institutional Security Office (GSIPR) keeps the fleet’s protection items secret, saying only that «they are armored and have all the communication facilities that the level of authority requires». Lula still has a 1953 Rolls-Royce available for events.
Datasheet
Model ford fusion
Motor Duratec 2.3 l
Power 162 hp
Estimated weight* 1.5 thousand kg
Maximum speed 180 km/h
Estimated price BRL 300 thousand
ITALY
Upon taking office, President Carlo Ciampi and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi won an enviable Maserati Quattroporte. Even with 1,100 kg more because of the armor, the big car reaches 275 km/h! In 2003, Ciampi himself visited the Maserati factory to customize his car, which gained an extra telephone, a minibar and a 7-inch LCD TV.
Datasheet
Model Maserati Quattroporte
Motor V8 4.2 l
Power 400 hp
Estimated weight* 3.3 thousand kg
Maximum speed 275 km/h
Estimated price* BRL 607 thousand
JAPAN
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko travel in a unique car in the world: a Toyota Royal Century, over 6 m long and capable of accommodating up to eight passengers. It is one of the most showy official cars, with a granite floor at the entrance, wool on the seats and a lighting system with handmade rice paper decorations.
Datasheet
Model toyota royal century
Motor V12 5 l
Power 273 hp
Estimated weight* 4 thousand kg
Maximum speed – 193 km/h
Estimated price* BRL 834 thousand
VATICAN
There have already been several versions of the popularly known “Popemobile”, a legitimate “glass bubble” on wheels. The one used by Benedict XVI, donated to the Vatican, is a customized Mercedes-Benz ML430, with a hydraulic lift under the seat, so that the pope is well exposed to the public. Other brands offered new models, but the pope asked them to donate the money to charity instead.
Datasheet
Model Mercedes-Benz ML430
Motor V8 4.3 l
Power 268 hp
Estimated weight* 3.5 thousand kg
Maximum speed 193 km/h
Estimated price* BRL 455 thousand
SOUTH KOREA
Until 2009, the entourage was composed of BMW and Mercedes-Benz – an “offense” for a nation that is the fifth largest car manufacturer in the world. President Lee Myung-bak switched to Hyundai vehicles, making the Equus the first armored vehicle made in the country. The fuel tank and electrical system are reinforced against fire or machine gun attack.
Datasheet
Model hyundai equus
Motor V8 4.5 l
Power 270 hp
Estimated weight* 4 thousand kg
Maximum speed 209 km/h
Estimated price* BRL 516 thousand
SWEDEN
The Volvo S80 was already King Carl Gustaf XVI’s favorite car. Since July 2009, it has also become the official car of the presidency of the European Union, when Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt took office. The automaker offered 90 customized cars (including S70 models), all ecologically correct, running on biofuel.
Datasheet
Model Volvo S80
Motor Straight 6 2.9 l
Power 272 hp
Estimated weight* 2.8 thousand kg
Maximum speed 249 km/h
Estimated price* BRL 455 thousand
NORWAY AND DENMARK (yachts)
The royal family of these two countries are the only ones who, in addition to an official car, use a “royal yacht”. Norge (“Norwegian”) recently took King Harald V on visits to Ireland, Spain and France. In addition, it serves as a base when Her Majesty participates in nautical competitions. The Dannebrog (“Flag of Denmark”) is usually used for trips to Greenland, which belongs to Denmark. In times of war, Queen Margrethe II releases it to serve as a hospital ship.
Technical Data: Norg
Year of manufacture 1947
Length 80.2 m
Crew 54 members
Propulsion two engines of 1 760 hp
Maximum speed 17 knots (31 km/h)
Technical data: Dannebrog
Year of manufacture 1932
Length 78.4 m
Crew 52 members
Propulsion three engines of 1 136 hp and two of 870 hp
Maximum speed 13.5 knots (25 km/h)
* After customization
SOURCES Office of Institutional Security of the Presidency of the Republic; BBC; daily mail; Irish Times Swedish Wire; carscoop; India Automotive; AllCars Review; It is Virgin Media