10 facts on ‘ The Beast’, Barrack Obama’s presidential car in Jamaica

Hours before the US President Barack Obama sets foot on Jamaican soil, the fortified presidential Limo nicknamed ‘ The Beast’ was seen at the Norman Manley International Airport.

There are reports that it will be in a motorcade and has moved to the US Embassy in Kingston.

Here are 10 facts on the super-vehicle:

1. The latest customized presidential car ‘‘The Beast’’ is a Chevrolet Kodiak-based, Cadillac-badged limousine often referred to as “Cadillac One” and occasionally as “Limo One” (a reference to the U.S. presidential aircraft, Air Force One).

2. According to General Motor, the manufacturers of the vehicle – the 2009 presidential limousine, is based on the Cadillac DTS. It is the first not to carry a specific model name. The vehicle’s outward appearance carries many current Cadillac styling themes but does not resemble any particular production vehicle. Despite the fact that a price tag has not been announced, each limousine is assumed to cost around US$1,500,000.

3. The body itself appears to be a modification of the immediately previous DTS-badged presidential limousines; however the vehicle’s chassis and driveline are sourced from the Chevrolet Kodiak commercial truck. Many body components are sourced from a variety of Cadillac vehicles. The car uses Cadillac Escalade headlights, side mirrors and door handles. The tail of the car seems to use the taillights and back up lights from the Cadillac STS sedan.

4. Most details of the car are classified for security reasons but it is known that it has an eight inch thick armour plating body, five inch thick bulletproof windows and special night vision system is in a secret location. The fuel tank is covered with a special foam that negates any possibility of an explosion. It also has pump action shotguns tear gas and cannons.

5. “The Beast” carries Special loops that replace the stock door handles so that agents can hold on to them when running alongside the car. It boasts Goodyear run-flat tires that fit into extra-large wheel wells. The car is protective against biochemical attacks and in the trunk is a blood bank of the President’s blood type. It also has its own oxygen supply.

6. The car can seat up to six persons along with the President. The front seats come with a console-mounted communications centre. A glass partition divides the front from back. Three rear-facing seats are in the back, with cushions that are able to fold over the partition. The two rear seats are reserved for the president and another passenger; these seats have ability to recline individually.

7. Storage compartments in the interior panels of the car contain communications equipment, which is called the Limousine Control Package and is operated by the White House Communications Agency (WHCA). It has a voice and data device that links the vehicle to the WHCA Roadrunner at the rear of the motorcade allowing command and control (or “C2″) functions to be performed from the limo. The trunk lid has five antennas. The car is driven by a specially trained Secret Service agent who is capable of performing CPR. The President’s chief protective agent usually sits in the front passenger seat.

8. On domestic trips, vehicles carrying the president display the American and Presidential Standard flags, which are illuminated by directional flood lights mounted on the hood. When the President performs a state visit to a foreign country, the Presidential Standard is replaced by the foreign country’s flag. The limousine is airlifted for domestic and international use primarily by a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III.

9. The vehicle fuel efficiency is about 8 miles per US gallon (29 L/100 km; 9.6 mpg-imp). It can go 0- 95.5km in 15 seconds and has a top end speed of 96.5 kmph.

10. The United States Government also operates similarly designed limousines for VIP guests, visiting heads of government, and heads of state. The imposing vehicle has also been used to make political statements by successive presidents. Obama had recently used the vehicle’s number plate to carry the message ‘Taxation Without Representation’ reflecting the demand of the citizens of Washington DC to have representation in the US Congress.

Loop News Service