There is a lot that is unknown about the president's limousine, nicknamed “The Beast” - such as features designed to help protect the president. However, some information has been leaked out about some of the equipment The Beast has been equipped with. Here are seven interesting facts about the president's limousine you may not have known.
1. It has its own airplane
Whenever the President is traveling, The Beast must go with him - so, the Secret Service uses a C-17 Globemaster transport plane to carry The Beast, a second limo and an armored Chevrolet Suburban used as a communications vehicle.
via LeftLaneNews
2. The Beast is actually not a Cadillac
The chassis, transmission and diesel engine are based on the Chevrolet Kodiak, which is a commercial vehicle that can be anything from a tow truck to dump truck. The headlights are from an Escalade and the tail lights are from the now-discontinued STS.
via LeftLandNews
3. It has an insane amount of armor
The doors alone are eight inches thick and weigh as much as the doors on a Boeing 757 aircraft. The windows are five inches thick and made of bulletproof glass. The tires are run-flats to allow The Beast to stay on the road if attacked. There is a steel plate underneath to protect it from roadside bombs and the gas tank is surrounded with foam and armor to prevent it from exploding. Finally, The Beast is actually sealed from within to protect the president from chemical attacks.
via LeftLaneNews
4. The Beast always is well-equipped
The Beast is equipped with gas canisters, shotguns, firefighting equipment and is said to also have a supply of the president's blood should he be injured. It is also equipped with gas cannons and night vision cameras in the front of the car.
via LeftLaneNews
5. The Beast runs on diesel
It runs on diesel because this fuel is less flammable, which helps to reduce the risk of it exploding. Diesel can also be found anywhere in the world, unlike high-quality unleaded fuel. Diesel engines are also known for being durable. The Beast has a fuel economy rating of 8 mpg.
via LeftLaneNews
6. There is a new limo every 4 years
Every four years, a new presidential limo is built and the old one is handed down to the vice president or one of the visiting heads of state.
via carprousa
7. The driver’s window is the only window that opens
All of the windows except the driver's cannot be opened. The driver's window will open three inches to allow him to pay tolls or to talk to Secret Service agents who are running alongside the vehicle.
via The Blaze