The presidential club is fairly elite, their limos even more so. It seems that each U.S. president has continually outdone their predecessors since William H. Taft brought the first automobile to the White House. Today, the presidential limo pairs state-of-the-art security with the lap of luxury to create a vehicle that goes way beyond standard transportation.
Let’s take a look at what makes President Obama’s newly revamped limo such a beast.
Security
The Secret Service has understandably kept a lot about “The Beast” under wraps. But what we do know is that president Obama can withstand a number of attacks in this limo-tank hybrid.
· Body is made of ceramic, steel, titanium and aluminum
· Equipped with night vision
· Beefed up first aid kits includes fire extinguisher and oxygen tanks
· Kevlar-reinforced, puncture resistant tires
· To prevent explosions the gas tank has been foam lined
· Special built-in gun compartments
· 8 inch thick armor plating
· 5 layer bullet-proof windows
· Seat belts in the rear seating area
· Completely sealed off in the event of a chemical attack
While this is impressive to be sure, it’s certain there are other motorcade safety tricks up the Secret Services sleeve that we’ll never know about.
Connectivity
Within the president’s motorcade is another vehicle that rides along with The Beast and is constantly connected to a military satellite. This armored Suburban/mobile communications office is nicknamed the Roadrunner. It serves as a communication hub for the president so he’s always connected no matter he travels.
In addition to the Roadrunner, president Obama has a satellite phone onboard The Beast and a laptop that’s connected to wi-fi.
Luxury
When you hire an Austin transportation service you can expect it to be posh, but for the president of the United States it’s a different level of luxury. The Beast, or Cadillac One as it’s also known, offers all the luxuries of the regular Caddy models and then some. However, this limo is far from an off-the-line Cadillac. It actually doesn’t have the Cadillac engine or chassis. Those are modeled after the heavy duty Chevrolet Kodiak.
Four additional riders can relax with the president in the super secured rear seating area while a driver and head Secret Service agent up front makes sure the party gets safely to their destination. The rear seating is said to have the executive package that gives the president full control of the partition window, a fold out desk and a full telecommunications suite. Though the president’s seat is navy fabric the rest of the rear is decked out in rich leather.
This limo is so luxe, connected and secure it even has it’s own aircraft to jet it across the world wherever the president goes. Rumor has it that The Beast costs a cool $300,000 and that doesn’t include the jet or Roadrunner.
Original Source: https://www.royalaustin.com/luxury-rider-insider/the-beast-a-limo-fit-for-the-leader-of-the-free-world