When Barack Obama hops into his presidential limousine after his inauguration on January 20, it might be this brand new rolling fortress that's part car, part truck. General Motors might be about to financially tank, but it's still putting the finishing touches on this real-world tank that'll soon be shiny and bear the presidential seal.
Most of the specs of this car are top secret, but a few tantalizing details are floating around, such as the five-inch-thick windows that are about half as transparent as regular glass and can stop projectiles from assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and high explosives. It's also said to be built of a combination of blast-proof ceramics and exotic metals, and certainly won't have a convertible top or sunroof.
While GM's trying to make it look like a Cadillac DTS, it's based on the company's line of heavy-duty 2500 trucks. For a fast getaway, it must have a giant engine under the hood. Because the presidential motorcade typically uses up to six decoy vehicles, there must be a mini-fleet of these behemoths on their way to the White House before too long.
Via Treehugger
editor@dvice.com
By DelosWorld at 4:17 PM ON 11/14/08
It's nice to know that the President will be safe from hoodlums and gang-bangers whenever he visits Chicago.
By hooch at 5:31 PM ON 11/14/08
were are the curb feelers and the gold spoked hub caps
By still badass at 6:48 AM ON 11/17/08
Where is the scrape plate,hydraulics and fuzzy dice hanging from the mirror? BAM BAM will probably be hitting switches in our new "Idiocracy."
By Still badass at 6:51 AM ON 11/17/08
Probably the last car GM makes.
By Barry O at 6:52 PM ON 11/17/08
Where are the rimz, built-in PS2 & mini-chandelier in back? I've seen MTV Cribs...
Bling bling. Change change.
By T.O.M. at 7:06 PM ON 11/17/08
Don't forget GM gives the "fleet" to the White House...
Wonder what that bill was...
By GregP at 11:52 AM ON 11/18/08
Unfortunately, an excess of right-wing-nuts makes this kind of stuff inevitable
By Disembodied at 1:34 PM ON 11/18/08
Just the protection our brotha in cheif needs to protect him from crazy wild-eyed cousin-boffing hicks in white sheets with confederate flags and Gran'pappy's trusty shotgun.
Can't say I blame him. He's the most endangered man in the world right now. I bet even Osama bin Laden has less pressure on him than Barack right now. I do not envy our new president :(
By Richard Davies at 11:19 AM ON 11/19/08
What's wrong with the current presidential limousine? You make fun of Sarah Palin's wardrobe budget, but when Obama wants to scrap a perfectly good limousine and replace it with another one just like it, then that's okay? How much of our tax dollars are they wasting on these?
By CoolProducts at 2:32 PM ON 11/19/08
@ Richard. No presidents have had near the amount of threat that Obama is receiving. I think it is worth the hassle of spending a few extra $$ for his protection that what we'd see if he was assassinated.
By Fleeced Taxpayer at 4:59 PM ON 11/19/08
Did anyone mention that GM's price tag for this gas guzzler is $25 billion?
Politicians were lambasting auto execs for flying to DC by private jet and demanding better fuel economy from American cars. Meanwhile the top politican has a fleet of 747s and travels on land in gas guzzling behemoths.
By Player at 5:12 PM ON 11/19/08
Does this model include the pimp suit and two skanky hos?
If Elliot Spitzer sees that limo, he'll knock on the window looking for action.
By marmotsgrl at 12:57 PM ON 11/20/08
Thats a lot of damn money! How heavy do you think it is? Thats got to take some extra training to drive a tank like that at high speeds etc. Well, I hope it works cuz....thats a lotta damn money! And I don't want anyone to hurt the pres. either.
By RevT at 2:14 PM ON 11/21/08
President Elect Obama is HATED by enemies both foreign and DOMESTIC. There are some people here in the USA that THOUGHT a BLACK MAN would NEVER be president and he has received more threats on his life than any other President Elect in the history of the USA. Whatever the cost for his personal security is well worth it. The cost will never amount to the bill for the war we are currently in. Oh by the way...the war cost at least 10 billion dollars a month...you know...looking for weapons of MASS DESTRUCTION!
By CJohnson at 7:19 PM ON 12/03/08
They better open drilling in ANWAR .....looks like a gas guzzler to me !
By SnopesWatch at 2:14 AM ON 12/04/08
"Richard. No presidents have had near the amount of threat that Obama is receiving. I think it is worth the hassle of spending a few extra $$ for his protection that what we'd see if he was assassinated."
Prove it.
Who said it?
Give me a name.
You can't, because the AP's "anonymous source" didn't exist when they were pressed to provide details.
The Secret Service has admitted they didn't start keeping statistics on presidents-ELECT until the year 2000, so this cooked-up quote has no meaning, anyway.
Just another AP/media lie.
By Caring about our nation at 11:16 PM ON 12/16/08
Instead of Gm building a limo for Barack, maybe they could be trying to cut some of the mega paychecks of the CEOs of the company, instead of breaking the back of workers that been their for 40 years and may face a retirement that isent, while the big wigs fly on their company jets, If President Obama really cars for the American People he would stay with the Bush Limo, because thats already paid for.
By Doug at 12:14 PM ON 12/21/08
I find these comments offensive... these lugnuts never complain about protecting Bush, or complain about any of his EXCESSIVE gift to the rich policies that NEVER trickle down. 8 years ago when a new fleet was delivered for W., we had a surplus, and we were at peace.... your boy messed it up beyond any recognition. I hope the bank takes back your trailer house, and you and your wife/sister/cousin have to live in your pick-up... how do you like those stereotypes?
By Mike G at 6:59 PM ON 12/25/08
I love to read comments by people that dont know anything about the topic. These cars are not donated, but are purchased by the Federal Government. Presidential Limos are run very hard,general are very heavy and kept in service for presidential use for 8 years. These vehicles, need to be replaced for a variety of reasons after the 8 year period. The secret service decide when it is time to purchase a new fleet of vehicles.
It is because of some of the stupid comments posted here that make it necessary for such protection to take place, regardless of who the new president is. We as Americans should support the actions taken. Consider what goes on in other countries and dangerous it is to be a politician trying to do the right thing for the country. The US is much better than any other country in the world. If someone is going to make a comment on the purchase of a new piece of equipment used to protect the president, they should conduct research on the topic before they comment. But knowing the facts would not serve the true purpose of the stupid comments posted here.
By Donnel at 8:49 AM ON 01/02/09
Thanks Mike, there are alot of people who don't know anything they are talking about. Obama didn't choose to have a limo built. This was already in production way before the election. And the limos were at one time donated to the last president to use them and went to the Presidential Libraries. However they will not be donated to the former Presidents anymore after they are used, they will be used for testing and destroyed.
By zackoneaious at 9:24 AM ON 01/06/09
i wonder how many gallions per mile it gets?
By new guy2009 at 2:07 PM ON 01/06/09
I find it funny that those on this post that are complaining why he needs a new car and scraping a perfectly good limo. first off, he doesnt have anything to do with the limo. its the Secret Service that chooses the protection that goes into protecting the president, not obama. He's not even in office yet and he's getting a bad rap from some in the public. im sure some will complain when americans can work again and he turns the economy around. shame. god pray for the ignorant people in this country.
By uncle .T at 7:17 PM ON 01/06/09
Just like we all update our computers and cars i think the President needs to update too. Times are changing so does tecnology God bless Obama , and God bless the United States of America
By Who Knows Why at 9:26 PM ON 01/06/09
The idiocraty of the comments on this site that have been riddled with innane 1-stereo-types, 2-stupidity 3-outrageous unintelligence never ceases to amaze me.
The idea that any of the stereotypical comments in reference to his ethnicity and his car, show just how far this country has yet to go on the issue of race.
The stupidity that the price tag is or even should be an issue is even more appalling. The safety of any of our Presidents, Barack Obama (and by some of the insane comments) especially needs the added protection. I would wager that the 5" of protective glass is to shield the President not from bullets but the stupidity of some in this country.
Third and finally, all things considered just as Mike G. stated new Presidential limos are made and purchased on a regular basis. Those vehicles are sent through several years of abuse and use and do need to be replaced at whatever intervals the Secret Service deems necessary. In fact I believe it's better to purchase a new one instead of relying on repairs that could jeapordize the quality of the vehicles usefulness.
Think things through before you speak, blog, post or even look at things....Stupidity is never an excuse.
By Smile at 8:53 AM ON 01/07/09
WHO KNOWS WHY, thank you for your well thought out post.
By remoke at 7:20 PM ON 01/07/09
anything at any cost that will keepn Joe Biden from being in charge...price is no object!
By topper at 10:55 PM ON 01/08/09
We may not have voted for him but now that he is the president we must support him and wish him the best.
By l8nite at 2:48 PM ON 01/09/09
From what I've read, new limos are given to every president. This whole conversation being about Obama is pointless. McCain would have been getting the exact same fleet. Do you think that GM just designed, tested and put in to production a fleet of limos for Obama after he was elected?? These things take years to design, test and tweak. Technology changes so these vehicles are constantly updated. In 8 years, if not sooner, there will be brand new limos for the next president with even greater security and features. Doesn't matter whether they are black, white, male or female.
By l8nite at 2:49 PM ON 01/09/09
From what I've read, new limos are given to every president. This whole conversation being about Obama is pointless. McCain would have been getting the exact same fleet. Do you think that GM just designed, tested and put in to production a fleet of limos for Obama after he was elected?? These things take years to design, test and tweak. Technology changes so these vehicles are constantly updated. In 8 years, if not sooner, there will be brand new limos for the next president with even greater security and features. Doesn't matter whether they are black, white, male or female.
By l8nite at 2:50 PM ON 01/09/09
From what I've read, new limos are given to every president. This whole conversation being about Obama is pointless. McCain would have been getting the exact same fleet. Do you think that GM just designed, tested and put in to production a fleet of limos for Obama after he was elected?? These things take years to design, test and tweak. Technology changes so these vehicles are constantly updated. In 8 years, if not sooner, there will be brand new limos for the next president with even greater security and features. Doesn't matter whether they are black, white, male or female.