While the president of our tiny Czech Republic, Miloš Zeman, drives in the government Skoda Superb , his American colleague Barack Obama uses the services of a specially built limousine with Cadillac signs. More detailed information about this vehicle, which is aptly nicknamed the Beast, has now started to circulate on the Internet, which refutes a number of previous assumptions.
In the past, modified production models were used to transport US presidents. However, there was a problem with their handling, which was due to the high weight. It also destroyed the brakes, which usually lasted only two drives, and even the transmissions could not work reliably. For these reasons, George W. Bush decided that it was necessary to build new presidential limousines from the ground up . This tradition continues to this day.
Obama's Beast, in English The Beast , is indeed a remarkable car. Although he drives around the world with huge Cadillac logos, he probably has nothing to do with this premium car company. The sedan was built by GM's development center in Detroit. And although it was believed to only exist in a single example, twelve are said to be currently in production. Each piece cost the government an estimated 1.5 million dollars , i.e. roughly 28 million crowns.
The security of the President and his entourage is indeed well taken care of. The car has army armor with a thickness of up to 20 cm , which consists not only of classic steel, but also aluminum, titanium and ceramic materials. However, the upper body panels are made of easily replaceable laminate panels. Bulletproof glass with a thickness of almost 13 cm is a matter of course. As a result, the entrance door, in combination with special locks, is so heavy that it is practically physically impossible to open it from the inside.
Being trapped inside won't be so bad after all. The car is absolutely isolated from the outside atmosphere in case of a chemical attack. In addition, the president has an encrypted satellite phone and video conferencing equipment. In the trunk of the car there is an oxygen tank , a small arsenal of weapons, medical supplies and even a supply of the president's blood in case of emergency. A special fire extinguishing system is also prepared in case of fire. Kevlar-reinforced run-flat tires from Goodyear are a matter of course.
The weight of the Beast is estimated to be in the range of 7 to 10 tons due to its equipment and rich armor. It was thought that the propulsion was handled by a diesel unit, but the opposite is true. Under the front hood, a gasoline V8 of unspecified capacity and power is working. Consumption is estimated at 3.7 American mpg, i.e. roughly 63.5 liters per 100 kilometers . The fuel is refueled in an armored tank , which is additionally covered in special foam to prevent a puncture in the event of an accident or shelling of the car with light weapons.
And how do you drive such a colossus? Supposedly almost like a truck. However, the acceleration and handling are said to be much better than in the previous presidential cars, which were just armored serial models. However, the driver of the car must be a really experienced person, and intensive training in emergency driving is required.
Closer and more specific information is naturally secret, but even such a cursory description of the car is very interesting. And the final pearl – remember how the Beast got stuck on the way out of the compound in Dublin where Obama was visiting? If not, take a look at the video below the article?
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Source: autoweek.com
