The Beast : The United States presidential state car is the official state car of the President of the United States. The car is equipped with many life-saving, offensive, and defensive measures, and is built to not only the United States Secret Service’s standards, but Cadillac’s as well.
The Beast may look like a car, because it is designed so. But actually it is a powerful mini truck in a car’s body.
Here are 10 things you should know about US President Car “The Beast”
1. Its much more than a customized car.
The car of US President nicknamed ‘The Beast’ is a fully customized Cadillac One which is designed to protect the president from terror attacks and keep him connected with his administration on the go. So, its basically like a moving office.
2. It is as heavy as a plane.
The vehicle is powered by a 6.5L diesel engine and weights 9100 kg (Almost as heavy as a Boeing 757 mini plane).
3. If you think it just an armored car, you are wrong.
The storage unit holds oxygen tanks, fire fighting equipment, The fuel tank is sealed with specially designed foam which prevents it from exploding Its Armour-plating is 8 inches thick. 5 inch thick Steel plate runs under the car to protect against bombs or grenades rolled underneath. Body has military-grade armor at least 5 inches thick.
4. Its features are straight out of a James Bond movie.
- The president’s seat has a state-of-the-art satellite phone and a direct line to the vice-president and the Pentagon.
- The glass partition can be lowered only by the president.
- The car has a storage of the first family’s blood types.
- It can run on flat tires as the tires reinforced with Kevlar. It is even designed to run on bear wheel for a long distance when the tire comes out in case of any emergency
- There are two holes in the front bumper that can emit tear gas and fire smoke grenades.
- There is an infrared video system for the driver to drive through smoke and night vision cameras for driving in darkness without lights.
- The car has a standard steering wheel, but the dashboard contains a communications centre and GPS tracking system.
- The driver’s window can be lowered only 3 inches. The driver is trained by the Secret Service to escape and evade enemy and perform a 180-degree ‘J-turn’.
5. The driver needs special qualifications to ride it.
The drivers of this car are trained and skilled secret agents recruited by the U.S army and it is reported that they are trained in making J-turns, Evading, U-turn drifts and other maneuvers in case of emergency.
6. The flags have their significance.
The beast normally holds two flags, one being the American flag and the other being the Presidential flag. These flags are lit up at night with LED lights. When The president is visiting a country, the Presidential flag is replaced by the flag of that country.
7. Even with loads of equipment It still has space for 7.
The car can seat seven with two seats up front, three rear-facing seats in the middle and two at the very back of it, one for the president and the other for a guests.
8. It has got its own plane rounding it in air.
A C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft operated by the secret service carries the communication operation of the vehicle when the President is traveling while following the car by staying in air. Its job is to help the communications office directly linked to a military satellite.
9. It’s speed won’t impress you.
Burdened with the heavy weight and a hog like diesel engine the car doesnt run like a rocket. Its maximum speed comes at 97 kmph and takes 15 seconds to come to a complete stop from that speed.
10. Number Plate
The Beast has Washington DC number plate and it remains even if Car travels in Foreign Countries.
The Beast : 10 Things You Didn’t Know About US President Car
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