So we quite innocently call GM today asking if we might get some more information on President Obama's new ride, that thick chunk of Cadillac-badged safety cell. We're not expecting the company to give us a test drive or point out the weak points of its structure. Still, we hit the wall. No more information.
Okay, so we downshift. Can we sit down with whomever at GM headed the project? Talk to him and his guys? Another brick wall. "Nope," comes the reply. "We can't even mention who was on the project for their own security." Turns out that as an agreement with the Secret Service who commissions the limo, General Motors won't name those involved with any aspect of its operation.
Come on, are you guys serious...oh, wait. No, that kind of makes sense when you think about it, doesn't it? Detroit's got it bad enough without the Taliban hanging out at the Milford, Michigan McDonald's waiting to kidnap the engineer who might actually know the specifics of the President's car.
Oh, and when folks at GM refer to the Secret Service they say "the customer." Seriously. But we think they do that just to feel all "secret-agent man." Geez, you'd think it was some sort of matter of national security or something (said with air-quotes)!
Click here for more information on Pres. Obama's new limo. Or here.
redliner says:
04:03 PM, 01/21/09
Here is a list of features it probably has:
AWD
HUGE engine
Solid tires (not run flats)
built in Machine guns
champagne holders
Just my guess.
rsholland says:
05:00 PM, 01/21/09
The tires are Goodyear Regional RHS 285/70R 19.5 truck tires with run-flat capability.
http://news.findlaw.com/prnewswire/20090116/16jan20091427.html
This is the first vehicle that I can think of that has even more visual presence than that of a Rolls-Royce Phantom.
dg0472 says:
05:48 PM, 01/21/09
Anyone notice when they opened the door how thick the trim was at the bottom of the window? Must be some huge amount of armor up under there.
iancar says:
06:36 PM, 01/21/09
How can GM keep this secret? Who else in the world needs a limo as large and heavy as a bus and as bullet proof as a tank?
jm1212 says:
06:44 PM, 01/21/09
i want one.
bigpoppa2 says:
08:25 PM, 01/21/09
here's the facts: 8 inch thick doors, kevlar reinforced tires with steel rims, bottles of obama's blood kept on board in case of emergency transfusion, 5 inch thick steel plate underneath car, 18 ft. long, 5' 10" high, 6.5 liter diesel engine, 8 mpg, 0-60 in 15 secs., and 60 mph top speed.
Chris_Doane says:
08:42 PM, 01/21/09
"and 60 mph top speed."
Well that part isn't true. I was driving next to the prototype doing at least 70mph :-P
daytona_500 says:
08:51 PM, 01/21/09
Probably the ugliest limo ever. So tall, upright and blocky, like it can't decide if it wants to be a car or an SUV. Might as well have gone with an Escalade.
roar02ram says:
08:53 PM, 01/21/09
IS it sad that this thing looks better than the standard DTS? There's something about the longer wheelbase and more upright styling that looks more authentic/genuine.
CTS_V says:
09:14 PM, 01/21/09
Hideous. Absolutely hideous. The first time I saw it during the Inauguration, my jaw fell open. It's impossibly ugly...like some sort of Franken-mobile. The design is even less cohesive than the previous one and makes the 2006 DTS limo look lithe by comparison. I know that the safety considerations far outway any aesthetic concerns, but seriously. I agree with daytona_500: give him an Escalade. It could run rings around this thing.
jebjr says:
09:58 PM, 01/21/09
Actually, I think the front is an edited Escalade grill/headlights, instead of an enlarged DTS. Considering it is truck based, this makes sense. I agree with CTS_V, it is absolutely hideous. Also, I don't understand why the new limousine needs to appear more imposing than the current one. Is the secret service implying Obama needs more protection than Bush with a more intense automobile?
hoseclamp says:
10:21 PM, 01/21/09
maybe GM used this as leverage in getting their bailout - no money = no car for the president?
benson2175 says:
01:33 AM, 01/22/09
Does it have crappy build quality like the rest of GM vehicles?
redgeminipa says:
04:26 AM, 01/22/09
To my own amazement, benson2175, GM's build quality is turning around quite impressively these days. I drove a used '08 Malibu LTZ with 16k miles on it and found it to be as solid as a brand new one. No squeaks, rattles or anything other than a sign of a quality solid build. I was extremely impressed. Might not be able to say the same for their entire lineup, but the new Malibu is a good example of what GM is working on in terms of build quality. My biggest concern now comes from their engineering department. I hope they're getting it right this time.
zoomzoomn says:
04:32 AM, 01/22/09
I've read about this thing elsewhere. It is based on a GM medium duty truck chassis and fitted to look like a Caddy. It has a variation of the Duramax diesel with the Allison tranny. It is rear wheel drive. Beyond that? It's a tank!
redgeminipa says:
04:34 AM, 01/22/09
Oh, and the grill kinda looks like it was borrowed from the new SRX coming out, or maybe even a little STS. It's definitely not standard DTS. And, the trunk and taillights look like they're from the STS.
1487 says:
05:43 AM, 01/22/09
if GM goes under we can have the presidential limo built in Toyota City and shipped over. Wouldnt that be something to see.
chavis10 says:
06:10 AM, 01/22/09
The the headlights and mirrors are directly from the Escalade while the rear lights, bumper and quarter panels are from the STS
dougtheeng says:
07:26 AM, 01/22/09
He should be cruising around in the H2 limo - just slap a fake HYBRID sticker on the side to please the greenies.
joe_scuba says:
07:37 AM, 01/22/09
Watcking it my thoughts are that it is bullet proof upto 50cal, IED resistant, no on board weapons, redundant runsafe ability, lot of electronics for communication.
Gas engine FWD able to go 100 MPH.
Any classified program is split in to many parts any only one or two people know the whole project.
There are many threats from inside the country we have several extremeist groups here that just don't like have an African American as President, and too many external threats.
This limo will travel will the President to keep him safe. So it is one tuff car.
afri
jdub53084 says:
08:30 AM, 01/22/09
So why all the hype about the limo now?
The Presidential limo projects are always top secret and the Secret Service takes this stuff very seriously, so why would GM or anyone else blabber about it now?
What we should take away from the new limo is that it is a representative of the United States government(like Air Force One) and I think a pretty good looking one too.
furyinside says:
09:56 AM, 01/22/09
Just make it's shoe proof. lol
I'm sure it's the toughest (and most costly) Prez Limo ever. It's probably the most comfortable too! What's wrong with Obama needing more protection? How many movies have you seen where our first African American president gets assassinated? Better safe than sorry I say! I bet this thing can withstand more than we think! In Iraq, it's not too hard to blow up a tank or humvee. I'd bet this is even tougher than a tank! I doubt it has built in weapons tho... That's a little weird. I'm sure they have extra storage onboard for weapons tho.
I wonder if he'll get his own Air Force One?
But there is a such thing as too tough. Reagan's limo was so bullet resistant that the bullet bounced off the car and hit him when someone tried to shoot him...
I'd like to see an interview with the driver or a former one. That would be pretty cool. They would have to go through SOOO much training!! Oh the stories they could tell...