President Obama's Ride

Yesterday newly elected Obama was sworn into office, and if you watched the ceremony you may have noticed the new presidential limousine.

While certain presidents have had hand-me-down chariots, President-elect Barack Obama is set to get a brand-new, high-tech model. Looking much like a standard Cadillac DTS stretched to the limits, Obama's new ride is an altogether different beast, with the highest levels of protection, technology and luxury a presidential limo has ever seen. Described as "a rolling tank with windows," word is that the limo is actually not a Cadillac, but rather something built on a medium-duty truck chassis.


Changes compared to the previous presidential car, the 2004 Cadillac DTS Presidential Limousine used by President George W. Bush, include a more upright stance for better visibility. But otherwise Obama's new ride is of similar size and proportion. The US Secret Service reputedly refers to this heavyweight machine as 'the beast'.

While earlier presidential Cadillacs were modified and adapted by specialist independent limousine companies, since 1993 Cadillac and parent company General Motors have carried out all of the work in-house. "Cadillac is again honoured to provide a new Presidential Limousine," said Mark McNabb, North American vice president of Cadillac.


Keen observers have noted that the wheels and rubber appear to be dimensionally identical to those found on the big trucks (the limo sports 19.5-inch Goodyear Regional RHS tires). Bystanders even contend that the limo sounds like it's sporting a diesel engine underhood. The exterior is an amalgamation of various Cadillac bits, with Escalade headlights flanked by Caddy's corporate grille and a set of taillights pulled from the STS. The ultra-thick doors should provide a presidential-sized barrier between POTUS and the outside world.

His Cadillac is a completely new design, featuring all the latest Cadillac styling cues, and an interior fully equipped for presidential use.



Unsurprisingly, details of the new limo's extensive security features remain shrouded in the utmost secrecy - as they have done throughout what's been described as "an extreme testing regime". The car clearly has to withstand virtually any kind of attempt on the new President's life. The vehicle will reportedly feature heavy armor that is at least 5 inches thick and comes complete with run-flat tires, bulletproof glass and a completely sealed interior to ward off a chemical attack, among many other high-tech security features.

The cabin area Obama will occupy includes an "extensive executive compartment". This features seating for important meetings on the go, a good view of the outside world (through several inches of bulletproof glass, no doubt), and "useful mobile office features".
The presidential seal is embroidered on the rear seatback and door panels, and also displayed on the outside of the rear doors. Two flags are flown on the front fenders whenever the President is in residence - so to speak - the US national flag on the right, the presidential standard on the left.
Secret Service call it 'the beast'
LED spotlights illuminate these flags at night - demonstrating the Cadillac is more high-tech than its appearance might suggest. Flashing strobe and emergency lighting will almost certainly be built in, along with run flat tires, and immense armoured plating. Don't expect the windows to open. It is also likely to be four-wheel drive.

I love cars, and if anyone reading this post happens to know President Obama and can ask him if I could have a ride in this car or maybe even drive it, I would appreciate it.