Nicknamed “the Beast”, Barack Obama’s new car is a hulking, snazzed-up upgrade from previous presidential limousines, and will give him a better view of his inaugural parade than his predecessor.
Photos of the unfinished Cadillac leaked on the internet showed a hefty customised behemoth, reportedly tough enough to withstand a rocket-propelled grenade — and some joked, even an asteroid.
But Cadillac spokesperson David Caldwell promised on Thursday that the finished product will combine form with function, despite its unseemly appearance.
“It’s really a new design,” said Caldwell.
“It’s a fresh, more modern, more expressive, a little bit more vibrant if you will, but it still is faithful to that tradition of presidential vehicles … it’s long and it’s black.”
The interior will include some of the plush detailing offered to regular Cadillac customers and the body has been built to be more “upright” and provide better visibility, Caldwell said.
But any technical details are top secret and, he insisted, “we’re not even allowed to open the doors”.
The vehicle is thought to have bullet-proof glass, a heavily armoured body, run-flat tyres and a completely sealed interior to protect against a chemical attack.
The Secret Service, which is charged with protecting the president and driving the limousine said the vehicle “offers the highest level of protection”.
“We do not discuss specifics of design, dimensions, features or capability of presidential limousines,” said Secret Service spokesperson Darrin Blackford, who laughed when asked if the new limo would have a jack for Obama’s iPod.
Official photos and some details about the new limo will be released early next week ahead of its debut at the inauguration on January 20.
“Typically new armoured presidential limousines are integrated into the fleet for the inaugural parade,” Blackford said.
Outgoing President George Bush’s limousine will continue to be put to use either as a spare in the presidential fleet, for other people requiring protection or for training purposes.
But presidential limos are not for sale, Caldwell said.
“What’s developed for this vehicle is unique and remains very private and secretive,” he said.
“Another nation could not call us and say, ‘let’s do that’.” – AFP