Here Are Some Mind Boggling Facts About the President’s Beast

One of the most powerful men in the world, the President of the United States arrived in India with his heavily armoured entourage to commemorate India’s Republic Day celebrations.

Air Force One being one of the most technologically advanced aircraft, takes care of any aerial threats. But what about threats on the ground? The American Secret Service refers to it as ‘The Beast’, a heavily armoured presidential car that comes equipped with state of the art armor plating and defense countermeasures.

Don’t be fooled by the outer demeanor, it’s not just any Cadillac, it only borrows some of its styling elements. Most of the details of this heavily armoured vehicle are classified for security reasons. Though here are a few amazing facts you should know about the Beast.

Runs on a mid-size Truck engine

As already mentioned, the car derives its styling from the Cadillac, but that’s about it. Under the hood, it sports a medium sized truck engine borrowed from the Chevrolet Kodiak. The car weighs a colossal 8 tonnes, no wonder the chassis and driveline requires a mid-size truck engine. Also, with fuel quality varying in different parts of the globe, the Beast uses this diesel engine as it can take different purity levels.

More than Just Bullet Proof

Its fuel tank comes with a special foam that negates the possibility of an impact related explosion. The car’s trunk houses a blood bank of the President’s blood type, along with an oxygen supply unit for the entire vehicle. The car is protective against any biochemical attacks.

In the event of a chemical attack, the car cuts off outside air completely and fills the cabin with breathable air until its safe. It also gets a special night vision system, and its trunk lids feature five antennas. While, the President’s seat has a state-of-the-art satellite phone and direct line to the vice-president and the Pentagon.

 Chauffeur is a trained Secret Service agent

It’s  driven by a specially trained Secret Service Agent who is capable of performing CPR. Trained to cope with the most demanding of driving conditions – including escape and evasion and a 180-degree ‘J-turn’.

Travels the World with the President

Wherever the President goes, the Beast goes. On both foreign and domestic trips, the Limousine is transported in a C-17 Globemaster III.  Everywhere the car goes, it runs with Washington DC plates.

On both domestic and foreign trips, the limousine is transported in a C-17 Globemaster III

 Significance of Flags on both sides

During local visits within the United States, vehicles carrying the president flaunt the American and Presidential Standard flags, which are illuminated by floodlights mounted on the hood. And while, on a state visit to a foreign country, the Presidential Standard flag is swapped by the foreign country’s flag.

Image Credits: IndiaTV

Kevlar Reinforced Tyres

The Beast comes equipped with Run-flat tyres reinforced with Kevlar, Shred and puncture resistant, with steel rims underneath manufactured by Good Year. It allows the car to withstand puncture and even run when being shot at.

Heavy as a Mini Boeing

The Beast goes way beyond regular armoured plating with an 8 inch thick body plating along with 5 inches thick bulletproof windows. Meanwhile, its doors have the same weight as doors on a Boeing 757 aircraft.  It weighs about 9070 kilograms and the gross weight equally matches of a  mini Boeing 757.

What about the Mileage?

And finally, the vehicle’s fuel economy is about 8 miles per gallon, which roughly translates to less than 3.5 kmpl, which is not bad at all.  The Beast does not get any official price tag, it is expected to cost around US$ 1,500,000.