WASHINGTON — A new fleet of presidential limousines is set to debut this summer, with one of the Cadillacs already in the possession of the Secret Service, Fox News reported.
Wrapped in black and white camouflage during its testing phase, the new presidential vehicle is expected to sport styling elements similar Cadillac's CT6 sedan. Known as "Cadillac One" or by the Secret Service as "The Beast," it will use a Kodiak medium-duty truck frame with custom-made body panels.
The seven-seat interior is sealed to protect against a biological or chemical attack, with windows that can withstand armor-piercing bullets.
The current edition of the Beast has 20-cm-thick heavy armor-plated doors and a reinforced steel plate running underneath the vehicle to protect it from roadside bombs.
The presidential limousine has tear gas cannons and a night vision camera, as well as a pump-action shotgun. Extra weapons, an oxygen supply and bottles of the president's blood type are also on board. The fuel tank is armor-plated and encased in foam to prevent it from exploding. The kevlar-reinforced tires are puncture and shard-resistant, with steel rims that allow the car to continue driving if the tires are destroyed.
Unlike the CT6, the Beast probably will not use the CT6's semi-autonomous drive system. Instead, it will always be driven by a highly trained agent who's skilled in defensive and evasive driving techniques.
The vehicle bears the American flag and the Presidential Standard while traveling domestically. When abroad, the Presidential Standard is replaced by that country's flag.
Cadillac has built every presidential vehicle since 1993. Cadillac President Johann de Nysschen told Fox News that the presidential vehicles have always been part of Cadillac's heritage and tradition. One they hope to carry on in the future.
