From Putin's Aurus Senat to Trump's Beast: Which world leader has the most-advanced car?
One of the big moments from the Shanghai Cooperation (SCO) Summit in China’s Tianjin was Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi carpooling. Amid the spotlight on the Russian leader’s limousine, let us check out some of the fortified wheels that world leaders use
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The United States President Donald Trump's official presidential car, Cadillac One, which is also known as "The Beast", reportedly costs over $1.5 million. The current version is a Secret Service vehicle introduced in 2018. It comes with a fridge which is stocked with the president's blood in case of an emergency, while claims have been made that the vehicle fires tear gas. File image/Reuters
Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels in a Mercedes-Benz S650 Guard, a flagship armoured limousine designed to withstand extreme threats. It can withstand direct fire from assault rifles like the AK-47, grenade blasts, and even chemical attacks. It also includes an emergency oxygen supply and a fire-extinguishing system. File image/PTI
Aurus Senat is the car that Russian President Vladimir Putin uses to travel in. It comes with a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. Putin has been using this car since 2018. He has also gifted this same car to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. File image/Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping uses the Hongqi N501 for official travels. The car reportedly features an automatic transmission, a 402 hp turbocharged V8 engine, and a maximum range of 800 km. It is also heavily armoured, although its specifications are unknown. Image: @LimousineFirst/X
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travels in an Audi A8 L car. The car’s special armour plating and multi-layered bullet-resistant glass are seamlessly integrated into its design, making it one of the most advanced armoured sedans in the world. The cabin is equipped with emergency oxygen supplies, a fire suppression system, and secure communication devices. Image: Audi.com
French President Emmanuel Macron travels in the DS N°8. It is an electric car with a retractable soft top for waving at the crowds. It is painted Sapphire Blue with contrasting black accents, while the grill in the front illuminates blue, white and red, the colours of the French flag. The cabin of the unique car is wrapped in Dream Blue Alcantara and watchstrap-designed Nappa leather upholstery with contrasting pearl stitching. Image: dsautomobiles.co.uk