Cadillac One: The One and Only

Cadillac One is no stranger to many of us. We are sure to have caught a glimpse of this car while watching any news related to the United states of America. However, not many of us would have an idea about the diverse features of this car and why it is used as the official state car for the president of the United states of America.

We have curated a complete description of the car’s features to help understand why it is considered the safest mode of travel for the president.

Nicknamed the “First car” and also “Beast”, the military grade bodywork on the limo is said to be at least a 5 inches thick armor, making it the most important feature of the car. The doors have an 8 inches thick armor plating and weigh the same as a Boeing 757 cabin door. To prevent bullets from entering the space between the doors and body there are steel overlaps between the seams. The fuel tank of the car is armor-plated and filled with a special foam which prevents it from exploding even if it takes a direct hit.

The defense equipment that the car is bestowed with, is top notch. The limo has night vision cameras installed to help guide the driver. It is also speculated that the car is equipped with shot guns and tear gas if needed during a crisis. The armored limo also has a special automatic-lock safety system that, in case of emergency, seals off the entire car. There is a panic button installed for the president and a satellite phone that connects him to the vice president and the Pentagon.

Along with keeping the president safe, the car is also equipped to keep him alive incase of any emergency. The car has its own life support unit along with the president’s blood type to help sustain him. The windows are completely bullet proof and there is a window separating the driver from president and can be opened only when the president wishes to.

Tires maybe the primary target in a car and hence destroying them would be the easiest and quickest way to immobilize a car. The tires on Cadillac One are specially designed to withstand intense harm from the likes of bullets and spike strips and keep the limo moving even under attack. The Kevlar-reinforced tires are shred and puncture-resistant.

The Beast is driven by a chauffeur who is specially trained by the US Secret Service and is a highly trained CIA agent. The driver has knowledge on how to deal with the most demanding driving conditions as well as how to face high pressure situations.

One may wonder how much it would cost to create such a safety net. NBC News claims that the US government and Cadillac spent $15.8m (£12.4m) developing the latest version of the Beast, with each model costing around $1.5m (£1.2m).

It is safe to say that no stone has been left unturned in ensuring the president is protected against attacks when travelling in the Beast.