Being the leader of one of the most powerful countries in the world is serious, and the duties associated with that position are vast. The actions of the American president effect not just his nation, but also the entire world. Sometimes it’s necessary to make hard choices that have the potential to change the world and make a lot of enemies, endangering the President’s life. This is why the car of the head of state needs to be like a true fortress, a safe vehicle in which to travel to the several official functions to which he gets invited, and not just any vehicle will do.
The Cadillac limousine, popularly known as “The Beast,” made its debut in 2009, the year that Barack Obama, the first African American president, assumed office. After Barack Obama, its user became Donald Trump and now more recently the current President of the United States, Joe Biden. From being able to resist rocket fire to chemical weapons attacks, this impressive vehicle looks like something out of a science fiction movie. General Motors was in charge of the design and manufacture of this car that is likened to a war tank with the most sophisticated security technology available. Its cost is immeasurable, yet some estimate it to be in the millions of dollars. There were previous presidential car models before The Beast, but the first Beast model went into operation on January 20, 2009. According to General Motors, the “Presidential 2009 Cadillac Limousine” is the first to not be a part of a certain model. The vehicle combines the structure of a high-end General Motors pickup truck with that of a Cadillac limousine. Let’s have a closer look at our favorite features about this amazing vehicle.
Unleashing The Beast
Although the first version of the car came to light in 2009 during the Obama administration, they ordered a new replacement in 2014. They destroyed the previous model with bullets and bombs to test its effectiveness and make updates on the new version. General Motors received three contracts in 2014 for the new limousine. Nobody knows exactly how many models there are of the Beast, since the Secret Service uses more than one simultaneously for misleading purposes. By January 2016, GM had received $15,800,765 for its work on the new model. They anticipated that each car may cost between $1 million and $1.5 million.
The manufacturer of the new model acknowledged to Fox News that “We’ve accomplished our duty, and we’ve handed over the vehicle to the customer” after people spotted prototypes of the new model being driven on public roads while covered in monochrome multiscale camouflage. The presidential car replacement initiative had been done “on pace and on plan,” according to the Secret Service, and was successfully operational by the end of the 2018 summer. According to Gary Gastelu of Fox News, the prototype’s camouflage reminded him of the Cadillac CT6.
The Presidential Car Specs And Most Amazing Features
For security reasons, the world knows little about the specifications of this vehicle, although we do have some information. They equipped the presidential car with a 6.5-liter Duramax diesel engine that produces a humble 214 horsepower. The engine is similar to those seen in heavy-duty pickup trucks made by GMC and Chevy. Its maximum speed is only about 62 mph, and acceleration is poor. However, the Beast’s tires can go for miles on a flat tire and the inside protected in the case of a chemical attack, although it won’t be a quick getaway.
The Beast, often referred to as Cadillac One, needs 15 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph. They reportedly equipped the Beast with a variety of James Bond-style devices, including door handles wired to shock potential intruders with a 120-volt electric shock and smoke screens. It is also said to be able to spread an oil slick that will cause opposing vehicles to lose control. There are reportedly pump-action shotguns, rocket-powered grenades, night vision gear, and tear gas grenades on board. The body has eight-inch armor plating and has reinforced floor plates to protect against probable bomb blasts; it weighs between 16,000 lbs and 20,000 lbs. According to SpyScape, in case of emergency, the Beast has a supply of blood that is compatible with the president’s blood type. Additionally, it has a built-in supply of oxygen that, in the case of an attack, feeds right into the hermetically sealed cabin. A doctor always follows the president in a separate vehicle called “The Control Car”.
Joe Biden's Modification Request
They questioned White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki about whether the president was thinking about electrifying the entire presidential fleet after Biden’s ride in a Ford F-150 Lightning. “That’s definitely something the President has discussed and is a goal for him,” she replied. The Beast weighs around 18,000 lbs, compared to the 3,300 lbs that the typical midsize automobile today weighs. Given this information, the question of how much the engine will weigh when it is electric and has a large battery pack emerges. Electrifying a presidential limousine, based on a pickup truck with a significant amount of protection, could be a difficult technical task, and it’s doubtful, Biden will have the tools necessary for the job.
Be it as it may, the Beast will always be ready to be functional and protect the head of the state of the United States. As we said, although many of its specifications are secret and those we know are not that impressive, the few other features that have come to light really make it look like something taken out of a science fiction story and makes any gearhead that dreams of a super car go crazy.