10:36 am, January 15, 2009
Click Obama for pics of his new car
A NEW president doesn’t just mean a new resident for the White House – it means a new car for the garage too!
President Barack Obama has chosen a Cadillac as his presidential limousine – continuing a long-running tradition for the car firm.
‘Cadillac is honoured to again provide a new presidential limousine,’ said Mark McNabb, North America vice president for Cadillac.
‘This is a great American tradition that we’re delighted to renew with an all-new car featuring the best of Cadillac’s dramatic design and technology.’
Inside and out, the Cadillac limo includes many of the brand’s signature design elements. But for largely functional reasons, such as optimal outward visibility, the car is slightly more upright than its predecessor.
Many purpose-built aspects of the car are specially designed and prepared for presidential use. The rear passenger area includes an executive compartment with ample seating space, outward visibility and useful mobile office features.
The car was designed, developed and tested by specialists who adhered to an extensive set of specifications. For security reasons many of the car’s capabilities are confidential.
But we do know an embroidered presidential seal is positioned in the centre of the rear seat back panel, as well as on each rear door trim panel. Presidential seals are also affixed to the exterior rear doors.
The US flag is placed on the right front ‘fender’, and the presidential standard is located on the left front ‘fender’ when the president travels in the vehicle. High-tech LED spotlights even illuminate the flags at night.
