Meet 'The Beast,' US President Obama's Cadillac that's more tank than car

New Delhi: An extraordinary entourage will accompany US President Obama and his wife Michelle when they will be witnessing the Republic Day parade at Rajpath on January 26.The US President will travel in ‘The Beast', his bomb-proof General Motors Cadillac with eight-inch thick armour-plating on its doors. The car is designed to protect the president from terror attacks and keep him connected with his administration on the go.At first glance, the Cadillac One just looks like a modified Cadillac DTS, but General Motors did not actually assign the presidential state car a specific model name. The limo includes a hand-crafted interior and “state of the art electronics”.Equipped with the most advanced security and coded communications systems, it is said to be the best protection vehicle in the world. In all, it's a formidable vehicle--truly deserving of its nickname.Here are 10 interesting facts about US President's limo:It is based on a GM truck chassis and weighs 6,350 kg. In contrast, the Rolls-Royce Phantom, one of the biggest cars on the road, weighs just 2,550 kg. This is why it only averages 8 mpg.Most of the weight of the 'Beast' comes from the armor protection. The body is made up of steel, aluminum, titanium and ceramic. The armor includes 8-inch plates capable of stopping an improvised explosive device, or IED, and 5-inch multi-layer windows that make the doors as heavy as those on a 757 jet. The car is sealed against biochemical attacks.The doors and gas tank of the Beast are armour plated, but the gas tank also receives a specially designed foam that prevents it from exploding.Further details of the presidential limo are classified for security reasons, but reports suggest that it also features James Bond-style options, including a night vision system. It also has its own oxygen supply and an advanced fire-fighting system.It also carries communications gear and, in the trunk, a blood bank matching the president's type.The limo is powered by a 6.5-litre diesel engine that`s fitted with a supercharger to help haul this beast around. However, the car's top speed is only 60mph and it takes around 15 seconds to reach this.The limo also comes with tear gas cannons and steel wheels that work even without a tire. It also has an infrared video system for the driver to drive through smoke and night vision cameras for driving in darkness without lights.The tires are Kevlar reinforced and are shred and puncture resistant. If anyone successfully tears them apart, the steel rims underneath the tires will allow them to get the Cadillac One to safety.Secret Service agents have been given specialized training in evasive driving techniques, including a J-turn, pilot the vehicle. The J-turn, taught at the Secret Service training facility outside Washington, D.C., can turn the limo 180 degrees in matter of seconds to escape trouble.The Cadillac One is equipped with bottles of the president's blood just in case he gets hurt and needs a blood transfusion. Cadillac One normally flies two flags, the American flag and the Presidential Standard, which are lit up at night with LEDs. When President is on a state visit, the Presidential Standard is replaced by the flag of the country he is visiting.FactFile:Price: Over $1 millionLength: 18 ftHeight: 5 ft 10 inchesWeight: 8 tonsEngine: 6.5 litre dieselTop speed: 60 mph0-60 mph: 15 secondsFuel consumption: 8 mpg (est)Seats: Maximum seven people, including the President

Meet 'The Beast,' US President Obama's Cadillac that's more tank than car

New Delhi: An extraordinary entourage will accompany US President Obama and his wife Michelle when they will be witnessing the Republic Day parade at Rajpath on January 26.The US President will travel in ‘The Beast',

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