The U.S President Barack Obama’s Cadillac One is powered by 8.0 litre diesel engine churning out 800 bhp peak power. The limousine manages 0-100 km/h in 15 seconds, does top speed of 150 km/h only and delivers 3.4 kmpl average mileage.
Protective features in the Cadillac One include defensive parts made of titanium, ceramic, steel and aluminium; 8-inch thick armour-plated doors (which weighs as much as the cabin door of a Boeing 757 jet), Kevlar reinforced run-flat tyres, and steel rims that can continue to drive the car even if tyres are completely worn off from damage. Special equipment in the Beast include advanced fire-fighting system, tear gas cannons, night-vision cameras, infrared smoke grenade (to hide from rocket propelled grenades and missiles), state of the art satellite phone with direct link to the Pentagon and the White House, oxygen supply system and a bank of blood for the President, and special video display system that allows driver to drive the Cadillac One in absolute smoke, darkness, and other no-visibility conditions.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BMW 7-Series 760Li Security Edition is powered by a 6.0 litre 544 bhp petrol engine that returns 4.5 kmpl to 7.46 kmpl mileage, and is capable of 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.1 seconds and top speed of 210 km/h.
Also Read – Why PM Narendra Modi uses BMW instead of Made-in-India car – Explained
The Rs. 5 crore Bimmer is completely compliant with VR7 grade of ballistic protection and some parts of the car offer higher VR9 grade of protection. The cabin can turn into a gas-safe chamber during gas attack, at which time it has a back-up oxygen tank to support the lives of occupants. It’s self-sealing fuel tank is deemed to be incapable of explosion under any circumstance. Even this limo has missile misguiding systems, thick bullet-proof windows, armour plates beneath (to sustain damage from bombs and mines), fire-fighting system, emergency exit and run-flat tyres capable of driving for several kilometres.
Verdict – Modi’s BMW 760Li is significantly lighter and can outperform Obama’s Beast if they head out to Buddh International Circuit for a friendly race. However, the Cadillac One is far more sophisticated and terror-proof.
