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Meet Obama's 'Beast'

Secret Service says 44's impenetrable vehicle is most sophisticated in the world

By Rebecca Smith Hurd,  Newser User

Posted Jan 20, 2009 4:03 PM CST

(Newser) – The latest limousine to join the presidential fleet is essentially a tank with a Cadillac exterior, Wired reports. The armored vehicle—code-named “Stagecoach” but dubbed “The Beast” due to its makeup—is the world’s most sophisticated car. The Secret Service and General Motors refuse to divulge specs for Caddy One, which is shuttling President Obama between inaugural appointments today.

“The vehicle’s security enhancements cannot be discussed, [but its] security and coded communications systems make it the most technologically advanced protection vehicle,” a security official said. Observers estimate the diesel-powered car weighs 7 -8 tons, sits on a medium-duty truck chassis, and has military-grade body armor outfitted with ballistic glass windows, a Kevlar floor mat, and a sealed-air system.

President-elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama arrive for church service at St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
President-elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama arrive for church service at St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
A presidential limousine with 44 on the license plate, part of the motorcade of Barack Obama, sits parked in front of Blair House on Pennsylvania Avenue across from the White House.
A presidential limousine with "44" on the license plate, part of the motorcade of Barack Obama, sits parked in front of Blair House on Pennsylvania Avenue across from the White House.   (AP Photo)
A presidential limousine with 44 on the license plate, part of the motorcade Barack Obama, is parked in front of Blair House on Pennsylvania Avenue across from the White House, Jan. 18, 2009.
A presidential limousine with "44" on the license plate, part of the motorcade Barack Obama, is parked in front of Blair House on Pennsylvania Avenue across from the White House, Jan. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
riffran
Jan 21, 2009 12:28 AM CST
or spinners???....rofl.......all kidding aside, I heard that the windows are at least 5 inches thick, and the body very close to the same in armor plating....with run flats to boot.....I wonder what the gallons per mile is on that thing....."OH the carbon footprint".....lol....But hey, I am glad it is there to prevent some hater from taking a potshot...riff
atris999
Jan 20, 2009 11:08 PM CST
what, no hydraulics?

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