U.S President Car's Features

The U.S President’s car is not any ordinary Cadillac. It is one of the most sophisticated cars that no ordinary man could even dream about. The car is equipped with defensive, offensive systems and life saving equipments. The car is built according to the United States Secret Service’s standards.

The current car is in service since January 20, 2009. The car has several nicknames such as ‘The Beast’, ‘Cadillac One’, ‘First Car’, and ‘Stagecoach’. Here are some of the mind boggling features of ‘The Beast’:

1.       Windows:

The windows in the passenger compartment (where the President sits) are more than 5 inch (127 mm to 130 mm) thick. The windows can withstand armor piercing bullets and are also bomb proof. The driver’s window is only 2.75 inch (70 mm) thick to allow the driver to speak to the secret service agents outside.

2.       Interiors:

The interior of the Beast is completely sealed in case of a chemical attack. This will prevent the doors to be opened from outside.

3.       Doors:

The doors are armor plated 8 inch thick to withstand bullets and bomb explosions. Steel overlaps are provided between the seams to prevent the bullets entering the space between the door and the body. The doors weigh as much as the doors of a Boeing 757.

4.       Exceedingly Well Equipped:

The Beast’s trunk is equipped with fire fighting equipments, oxygen tanks and a cache of the President’s blood type. It is also equipped with offensive equipments such as tear gas canisters, grenade launchers, and shotguns.

5.       Run Flat Tires:

The limo is equipped with specially designed, Kevlar reinforced, puncture resistant tires to protect it from bullets, spike strips, etc. The tires are designed and manufactured by Goodyear. Run flat technology is installed to help the tires to run even when the tires are punctured.

6.       Fuel Tank:

The fuel tank is also armor plated to repel bullet attacks. The fuel used is filled with a special kind of foam to prevent it from exploding in the case of fuel tank being damaged.

7.       Engine:

The Beast is powered by a Duramax diesel engine used in Chevrolet heavy duty pickup trucks. The reason for using a diesel engine is that diesel fuel is less volatile and reduces the risk of exploding unlike gasoline. The vehicle can travel only at a maximum speed of 60 mph (96.5 kph).

8.       Well Trained Driver:

It is not just the car which makes it highly safe. The driver is a CIA agent and is well trained to perform evasive actions in critical events. The driver undergoes rigorous military style training and can also handle mechanical breakdown of the car. He has the access to communication and GPS system in the car.

9.       Chassis:

Reinforced 5 inch steel plates are used underneath the car to withstand bomb explosions.

10.   Facilities for the President:

The passenger section is provided with Wi-Fi facilities so that the President can work on the go. The President is also provided with a satellite phone with direct access to the Vice-President and Pentagon line. A glass partition is provided between the driver’s cabin and the passenger section which can be opened only by the President.

11.   It travels around the globe:

The Beast is carried all around the globe in a C-17 Globemaster aircraft. The limo travels wherever the President travels. The Globemaster aircraft is also equipped with a second limo, a heavily armored Chevrolet Suburban Communications vehicle.

12.   President never travels alone:

Inside the Beast, apart from the driver and the President himself, the President’s lead secret service protective agent also travels in the car. The Beast can accommodate 7 passengers.