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Obama had 'The Beast', what will Trump's new presidential ride be?

<B>OBAMA'S PRESIDENTIAL RIDE:</B> Outgoing US president, Barack Obama, has been chauffeured around in a highly-modified Cadillac, called 'The Beast'.  <I>Image: AFP / Juan Mabromata</I>
<B>OBAMA'S PRESIDENTIAL RIDE:</B> Outgoing US president, Barack Obama, has been chauffeured around in a highly-modified Cadillac, called 'The Beast'. <I>Image: AFP / Juan Mabromata</I>
Juan Mabromata

Cape Town - Billionaire Donald Trump has been elected America's 45th president. Regardless of your political views let's discuss the most important aspect, at least for petrolheads, of the 2016 US election - the next presidential ride.

From politics to cars

Barack Obama was possibly the world's most famous president and polarized the US nation. Even if you're the most popular president in history, he was not, you'd still have to deal with detractors and even those whom might do you harm. So, how does a US president travel in safety?

READ: Trump as president – what this will mean for women all over the world

Enter 'The Beast'.

Obama's official limousine was one of the world's safest vehicles. The amount of safety tech it boasted put it in a league of its own. America's newly elected president, Trump, will be similarly transported in a modified presidential vehicle. 

READ: Obama says self-driving could save lives

And though features and technologies fitted to the new car have yet to be revealed, it is safe to assume that it could sport improved tech and modifications compared to the outgoing 'Beast'.

Spy images reveal the 2017 presidential candidate's new car undergoing testing, months before the new US president has been elected. The US government is making sure it's next commander in chief will be well-protected, at least in terms of vehicle safety.


Ejector seat, hot tub, 'Trump card' licence plate... Which modifications do you think newly-elected US president, Donald Trump, should feature in his new presidential car? Email us.

'The Beast' featured bits and pieces from the Cadillac vault. Though it appears as a standard limousine, under the skin it's completely modified. Inside, in the case of Obama being attacked, the vehicle can be completely sealed in case of a chemical attack. The vehicle could lock-up like a bank vault in the case of terrorists attempting to break in.

The doors weigh as much as the ones fitted to a Boeing 757, it has 8" armor plates, and the bulletproof windows are 5" thick. 

It's speculated that 'The Beast' weighs anything from 6000kg - 9000kg, can reach 0-100km/h in 15 seconds, and has a top speed of 100km/h. And despite it being powered by a diesel engine, fuel range is a shocking 64-litres/100km! In other words, 3.4km/litre.

Below: Obama's 'The Beast'

What Trump could drive in

Very little is known about Trump's new limo and will likely remain that way until closure to his official inauguration in January 2017 as it is a matter of US national security.

The US government and secret service will do all it can to keep the specifications of Trump's car a secret for as long as possible, but it will no doubt be bulletproof, explosive resistance and will have secondary on-board air supply. It will also feature the latest in communications and safety technology.

Below is a tweet of Trump's vehicle undergoing testing earlier in 2016.


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