President Obama takes inaugural ride in Presidential Limousine
Click above for high-res image gallery of Obama's inaugural ride in Presidential Limousine
Inauguration Day for President Obama has come and gone, and while our freshly minted Commander in Chief was probably most interested in making his title official, we like to believe the high point of his day was taking the inaugural ride in his new Presidential Limousine. Secrete Service agents have reportedly begun calling Obama's new whip the "Beast" for reasons that are readily apparent. General Motors released images of the new Cadillac-based limo last week, but were of course not permitted to reveal the car's specifications. We're still in the dark on most everything about the new Presidential Limo, but new images from yesterday's inauguration reveal its true scale and capabilities.
First of all, notice the roof height compared to a Secret Service agent walking next to the car. Though it has the basic proportions of a very long-wheelbase sedan, this thing is nearly as tall as a Tahoe. The sidewalls of the tires are enormous, kind of like the front tires on a semi-truck, which suggests a level of puncture resistance far beyond your average run flat. The increased ground clearance and large fender flares also suggest this car can go off-roading when the need arises, like if an ICBM takes out the road ahead. Lastly, this image of an agent holding the car door open for Obama while he enters the vehicle shows the true thickness of its doors. Based on that, we imagine the new Presidential Limo would score 50 stars if crash tested by the NHTSA. Check out more pics below of the Obama family taking their first ride in the Presidential Limousine.
[Photos: Getty Images]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
TDogg! 3:04PM (1/21/2009)
IBStupid Fox News fanatics whines and complains about Obama getting a new ride when EVERY President since Reagan got a new ride at the start of their first term. GWB got TWO ride for both terms. On top of that, these vehicles takes upwards of two years to gather requirements, test, and build. Given that Obama was only elected two months ago, he had very little say or input on the new limo. In fact, its the Secret Service who decides on these things.
There, I got that off my chest. Carry on.
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Sea Urchin 3:23PM (1/21/2009)
TDogg, look we all know that Fox News is biased, BUT let's not pretend like Obermann or Madon (whatever her name is) Chris Mathews and others are not biased against republicans.
As you can see one of Obamas guys was taken down for pay to play game (richardson) and let's not forget Obama acusing Palins dauther of being the mother of Palins son.
So, what goes around, comes around.
G.D. 3:33PM (1/21/2009)
Wow. Just wow.
"Obama acusing Palins dauther of being the mother of Palins son."
Wow.
Tagg 3:35PM (1/21/2009)
Jeez, democrats whine just as well as republicans so get off that soapbox. All we have heard for the past 8 years is how bad and evil Bush was from democrats and now we'll hear how horrible and evil Obama is.
It's a two way street, don't pretend it isn't. Now that is fair and balanced.
homunculus 3:36PM (1/21/2009)
boy i really wish someone would take the high road. the poor behavior of one group doesn't excuse that of another.
and obama never made any such claim about palin's daughter.
Moose 3:49PM (1/21/2009)
Yes, Urchin, except none of that happened. It was some wacky wignut bloggers who made claims about Palin's family, nothing but praise for Palin's family ever came from the Obama Campaign. Richardson's still a Gov and still not indicted for anything, he pulled his name from nomination to prevent a circus around the NM investigation and the Administration.
Dorseto 3:52PM (1/21/2009)
@Sea Urchin
Agreed that Obermann and Mathews are idiots. But you're wrong about Obama ever accusing Palin's recent kid was her own daughters. Listening to conservative talk radio much? Let me guess, next you'll argue that Obama doesn't meet the qualifications for President because he isn't a naturalized citizen of the United States.
LOL
Green Destiny 3:57PM (1/21/2009)
Wow. Just wow.
"Obama acusing Palins dauther of being the mother of Palins son."
Wow.
Pengwin 4:01PM (1/21/2009)
I'd like to point out that Sea Urchin is pretty much getting his ass kicked.
Tony2X 4:08PM (1/21/2009)
Come on boys & girls, this is Autoblog not the Huffington Post. It is a cool car isn't it but I don't really like the rims that much.
Epyx 4:23PM (1/21/2009)
Is it just me or does Sea Urine always seem to be on the contrary side of EVERY topic? I always thought he came from a much more left slant on most of his posts.
Sea Urchin 5:22PM (1/21/2009)
Epyx, yeah i love clean air, but that doesn't make me a liberal.
Berto 6:38PM (1/21/2009)
Sea Urchin, go back to the sea where we don't have to deal with you.
CNN did a pretty cool piece on this limo. It truly is amazing!!
Also, did anyone else find Wolf Blitzer on CNN saying "The Beast!" hilarious?
Rick Sanchez made him repeat it a few times because of how funny Wolf said it!!
denton 7:17PM (1/21/2009)
Wow! Sea urchin; you really are a dumb f*** (you should also go back to elementary school and learn how to spell)
AMcA 8:06PM (1/21/2009)
No, no, no: the car's normal size. They're just using midget Secret Service agents to walk next to it.
Jared 10:29PM (1/21/2009)
Our forefathers should of listened to washington and not allowed a two party system. It's going to split the country apart...
Judy Zik 1:43AM (1/22/2009)
@jared
Too late I am afraid. It is so sad that our American friends need to have seperate channels and radio stations that are so blatantly biased against half your politicians. Most of the rest of the world prefers to have our media hate all our politicians. Much more efficient that way. I am also amazed at the amount of outright lies they can put on TV there.
Anyone who thinks the leader of any Western Nation can routinely travel around in a Camry or a Civic is insane. Especially a country that has had so many assasinations (plus failed attempts). If I was President of the USA I would be travelling around in a Tank with windows which is basically what this is. Anyone who thinks Obama had any say in the development of this vehicle is also insane considering how long it would have taken.
OKC05SRT6 7:44AM (1/22/2009)
All hail the Obamafuehrer!!! Zeig Heil!!! Zeig Heil!!!!
the vegas style guy 4:42PM (1/22/2009)
Personally, I'm very happy we have a new President and a new sense of pride and community in our country.
This country allows all of us (including you, Sea Urchin, which by the way, are tasty when prepared correctly) to say whatever we want from the truth as we see it to scurrilous untruths. And we get to do it without a knock on the door in the middle of the night.
We have one of the few countries where truly ANYONE can become our ELECTED leader. No matter the circumstances of your birth or your race, in the United States you can reach the top. With hard work and ambition you can go farther in this country than most others. This is why there is a little thing called "The American Dream" that inspires people from Bangalore to Punta Del Este.
I would love to say that I am not bragging, but, I am. We have a great country and hopefully our new President will restore the worlds confidence in us as a beacon of hope and freedom. I'm not going to trash the outgoing President (shooting fish in a barrel ,(sp?)), but, I will say I think our country needs a change in direction and I think President Obama will inspire us to roll up our sleeves and start working on fixing what's wrong while strengthening what's right about this great land.
Those of you who have nothing but negative to say less than a week in aren't doing anything to improve the national condition, however, I will go all "Red Dawn" to defend your right to say what you want to say.
Why? Because I am an American and that's my job, to have my fellow Americans backs.
Oh yeah, I dig "The Beast".
Brent 3:05PM (1/21/2009)
Oh, so that is what its for.
Yawn!
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