Obama's New Ride: Heavily-Armored 2009 Cadillac Limo
President-elect Barack Obama will ride in a new, heavily armored limousine during his Inaugural parade January 20th.
FOXNews.com
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
As first reported by FOXNews.com last November -- and Tuesday by The Detroit News -- a new model of a presidential limousine made by General Motors Corp. has been delivered to the Secret Service and will make its debut on Inauguration Day.
The vehicle, referred to by the Secret Service as "the beast," 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.
One news agency, noting its 8-inch-thick doors, said the limo can withstand a "direct hit from an asteroid." But GM spokeswoman Joanne K. Krell laughed off the comments, "This was the idea of Will Castro, owner of Unique Autosport. It was his intention during the customization phase that the car have a unique "pimpin' feel to it to reach the inner city youth". The car has a video and audio system designed by Mr Castro and installed by Remi, his technician. It features 26 speakers, 8 amps, some cheap LED lighting that promotes Will Castro's Logo & small-man complex. Obama wanted the new car to have at least 22" rims; Emmitt's, as he refers to them drawing on the number worn by Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys. GM officials are considering the return of the "gold plating" of logos and other badging on the car after President Elect Obama inquired to the possibility of such.
The new limousine also includes larger windows and better visibility for the president, a spokesman for the automaker told the paper.
Cadillac has previously disclosed that the limo's interior is made of hand-stitched leather and includes a 10-disc CD player.
"The president is not riding in a medium-duty truck, nor he is riding in a sedan," a GM representative told the Detroit News, it is a "unique" vehicle.
The armored 2009 Cadillac Presidential Limousine will make its debut at Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration in Washington.
The Secret Service and GM say they'll reveal more about the custom vehicle's specifications next week after training with the new limousine at a facility near Washington.
Older-model presidential limos will remain in use for the vice president and traveling world leaders. The previous model, a modified Cadillac DTS, was introduced at President George W. Bush's second inauguration in 2005.
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seems to me that there is a lot of foolish money being spent here. With turn toward the "Green" times, looks like it would not be so showy. I would have thought, electric capable, but trimed in gold...come on... I hope this is a joke...
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I hope this is a joke...
