Cadillac One: Details on president-elect Obama's new limo
One of the perks of being the Commander-in-Chief is getting to ride in the back of a presidential limousine. And while certain presidents have had hand-me-down chariots, President-Elect Barack Obama is set to get a brand-new, high-tech model.Looking much like a standard Cadillac DTS stretched to the limits, Obama's new ride is an altogether different beast, with the highest levels of protection, technology and luxury a presidential limo has ever seen. Described as "a rolling tank with windows," word is that the limo is actually not a Cadillac, but rather something built on a medium-duty truck chassis.
Spy shooters have captured the limo testing alongside a pair of GMC Topkick pickups, and keen observers have noted that the wheels and rubber appear to be dimensionally identical to those found on the big trucks (the limo sports 19.5-inch Goodyear Regional RHS tires). Bystanders even contend that a the limo sounds like its sporting a diesel engine underhood.
The exterior is an amalgamation of various Cadillac bits, with Escalade headlights flanked by Caddy's corporate grille and a set of taillights pulled from the STS. It's doubtful that all this kit -- and the massive fender flares -- will find their way onto the model bound for the White House car port, but the ultra-thick doors should provide a presidential-sized barrier between POTUS and the outside world. The only question left is whether Obama's code name (Renegade) will carry over when he moves into Pennsylvania Ave. on the 20th, or if it the Secret Service will change it to Caddyman.
Hit the jump to view a video of Obama's new ride in action.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 14)
BobbyBud 11:44AM (1/07/2009)
Bush got a new limo in 2000 and 2004, which I think makes him the first to get newbies on both terms. They never used to replace them with such regularity, and this looks like more contract BS. These vehicles cost a fortune, and don't go obsolete every few years. Somebody's making a lot of money off of this crap, and the taxpayers are paying through the nose.
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AZMike 12:07PM (1/07/2009)
"taxpayers paying thru the nose?"
GM leases this to the government for a whopping $1 per year.
AZMike
tonyola 12:11PM (1/07/2009)
The "new" 2004 limo was simply the 2000 limo with new front and rear sheetmetal to bring it in line with current Cadillac styling.
jg 1:04PM (1/07/2009)
What's wrong with tax dollars being used to keep the president alive?
If there is one thing this nations needs it's a serious and realistic discussion about tax policy.
'GM leases this to the government for a whopping $1 per year.'
Retards! No wonder they have financial problems.
Yikes 1:08PM (1/07/2009)
GM leases to the President for $1.00
GM gets billions in tax payer money to keep the lights on.
Randy 1:24PM (1/07/2009)
@BobbyBud
"and don't go obsolete every few years. "
What world are you living in? If an everyday car goes obsolete in 2 years, what on the hell do you think happens to the President's car in 4?
Technology advanced by the day! You must protect against all of it!
If the President of the Free World needed a new car every day to keep him safe, so be it! And one for his family too!
People usually say things like "stop watching so much tv" but you friend need to watch more!
Icon149 1:24PM (1/07/2009)
They probably need to update the limo's protection based on the presidents approval rating. And considering the amount of undereducated racist bastards rolling around the US, they needed to double up for Obama. It's sad that i would even have to consider a comment like this, but we have a lot of racist radicals in this country, and when times are bad and people are out of work extremists thrive.
you know what they say about idle hands...
k.w.a 4:29PM (1/07/2009)
Icon,
That's probably true, but then again if the secret service can't protect him there are enough civilians in the DMV (D.C, Maryland, Virginia) with enough ammunition to keep him safe. ;)
Robert 5:31PM (1/11/2009)
Maybe GM leases it for $1. But then the free limo's just a bribe for more automaker bailout money. The taxpayers and victims of inflation are the ones paying the bill!
Clay 12:09PM (1/12/2009)
C'mon, Bobby...
do you know what it is costing us, or just guessing? I have no knowledge, but suspect the collector value would be far more than the original purchase price. It may even be true that the 'Big 3' will donate one just for that prestige. If it really does cost us a mint to provide that level of protection to our President, then maybe we need to find another method of transporting him safely.
NAN 7:24PM (1/11/2009)
LIKE ALWAYS.
CARL 8:47PM (1/11/2009)
SOME BODY NEEDS TO GET A LIFE. LIVE WITH IT, THAT'S THE WAY IT'S GONNA BE AN YOU AIN'T GONNA CHANGE IT.
allen 1:57PM (1/12/2009)
Bush is the first president under a direct war with terrorists. I have no problem with Bush or Obama getting as much protection as they need. These are particularly dangerous times for everyone, but especially the politicians of the most hated country by terrorists.
These people don't use 9mm handguns, they use anti tank weapons and will eventually get nukes more than likely.
Cindy 11:33AM (1/12/2009)
Nice ride!! We all get one too, right?
Doc 1:44PM (1/12/2009)
Look like a bad ride, but does he have the heavy bass in the trunk, dice hanging on the rear view mirror and the windows you can see out but can't nobody see in? How about the 20" chrome spinners and independent adjustable air shocks? Then my boy be tight!
happy_penguin 11:45AM (1/07/2009)
Why isn't he driving his own Prius?
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bravenrace 11:49AM (1/07/2009)
That's what I was thinking.
acidtrip 11:56AM (1/07/2009)
really, a prius?
paul34 11:50AM (1/07/2009)
He spent that money sending his kids to a private school.
homunculus 11:57AM (1/07/2009)
^ "libruls, lol!"
it does look better than the queen's bentley.