WORLD LEADERS AND THEIR OFFICIAL CARS--- LEADING MEN AND GLITS AND GLAMOURS ON FOW24NEWS.COM

Heads of State wield immense power, often across the globe. The importance of their office means that there is a certain amount of glamour and mystique associated with them. One of the most visible signs of their prestige is the official state vehicle. This vehicle is used to transport the head of state and often, state guests.

Given the sensitive nature of the security of these VVIPs, not just any vehicle can be ordained into state service. Only vehicles fitted with a plethora of security measures, able to withstand acts of hostility and protect their passengers, find a way into this elite and exclusive category of automobiles.

These cars come heavily customised and fitted with unique accessories and amenities - for the comfort, safety and entertainment of the ultra-important passenger. And automakers are presumably all too happy to comply with these many modifications to maintain such a powerful clientele.






Here is a list of the top-ten most expensive official state cars in the world:

1. Bentley State Limousine ($15,167,500)

 

The Queen of England travels in style, in a car created especially for her. British carmaker Bentley came out with the most expensive state car in the world on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee in 2002. The roof of the car is set high to make it easy for "Her Majesty to get out in a suitably dignified manner". The doors open at 90-degree angles which means she can walk directly out of the vehicle, without having to manoeuvre too much.


2. Cadillac One ($1,500,000)

18-feet long, 8 tons in weight and with armour plating on the doors that is eight-inch thick - the US President's official state car is a mean machine. In fact, it has rightly been nicknamed 'The Beast'. Built specially for outgoing President Obama, this vehicle by American automaker General Motors comes with a supply of oxygen. What's more, it carries around a supply of blood of the same type as that of the President, for use in case of emergency. In fact, the armour plating on The Beast is capable of stopping an IED and the vehicle also comes fitted with a night vision system. The President of the United States is widely referred to as the 'leader of the free world' and his security is obviously taken very seriously. Even the driver of the Beast is a highly-trained CIA agent equipped to deal with high-pressure situations.

US President Barack Obama's limousine, also referred to as 'The Beast'. (Reuters Photo)

3. Hongqi Limousine ($801,624)

'Hongqi' translates to 'red flag' and is perhaps symbolic of China's communist ideology. The brand has carved a niche for itself in the country and caters to the creme de la creme of its society. The car, the most expensive in China, can zip from zero to hundred kilometres in a little over 8 seconds. It is 18-feet long, 6.5 feet wide, five-feet tall and weighs a whopping 3152kgs.

China's President Xi Jinping stands in a Chinese-made Hongqi Red Flag limousine. (Reuters Photo)


4. Mercedes-Benz M-Class ($524,990)

The Vatican's ex officio head of state - known more commonly as the Pope - has a fleet of motor vehicles at his service. Arguably the most famous of these is a custom-made Mercedes-Benz M-Class 'Popemobile', complete with an armoured glass compartment at the rear to allow him to engage with followers during public appearances.


5. Maybach 62 Limousine ($500,000)

While all members of the Thai royal family have different vehicles at their service, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej preferred sitting in a Maybach 62 Limousine. The vehicle is high on style and performance and comes fitted with amenities like a wine chiller and refrigerator.


6. Jaguar XJ Sentinel ($455,025)

The Prime Minister of the UK uses an armoured Jaguar XJ Sentinel as his official vehicle. This car may seem to many like straight out of a Bond flick, with its titanium body, bullet-proof glasses and night-vision. The body of the vehicle is made of Kevlar and high-strength steel, which obviously means it is not exactly light-weight. In case the Prime Minister has had a particularly stressful day, he can unwind with a massage in the car's rear massage seats.


7. Maybach 62 ($394,000)

Malaysian royalty can be seen zipping around in a variety of cars, among which is the Maybach 62, which was one of the first models to be launched after the revival of the brand. According to a report by Reuters, the brand was revived "to woo a growing class of ultra-wealthy clients in Asia and the United States". The mission has clearly been successful. The interiors of the automobile boast the comfort of an airplane, with fully-reclining seats and tinted windows that ensure the optimum temperature, regardless of how sweltering hot or punishingly cold the weather is on the outside.


8. Mercedes S-Class Limousine ($251,417)

That the Russian President does not use an indigenous automobile may come as a surprise to many. But according to media reports, that dream is soon set to turn into reality. Till that happens, President Putin's car of choice will remain the Mercedes S-Class Limousine. This custom-made vehicle is heavily armoured, which is a mandatory feature for all vehicles in Presidential service. Equipped with run-flat tyres, it can travel a distance of at least 30 kilometres at 80 kmph even with punctured tyres.


9. Mercedes-Benz W221 ($250,547)

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For some time now, Philippine Presidents have travelled in bulletproof and armoured cars from Mercedes, complete with the licence plate number '1', the country's flag and presidential standard. The Mercedes-Benz W221 is especially seen to be a car for the rich and powerful and is high on comfort. Many expect the situation to change after newly-elected President Rodrigo Duterte vocalised his desire to use his personal pick-up truck for official business. In fact, he also seems adamant on banning the use of luxury cars among the members of his Cabinet.


10. Mercedes-Benz S600 (W221) Pullman Guard ($180,000)

Top Comment

when will prime Minster will travel on our own indigenous built carPhanindra Koneru

The President of India travels in a custom-built Mercedes stretch limousine that meets the highest standards of security and can withstand even grenade attacks. Its thick armouring makes it significantly heavier than a regular version of the Pullman. The top-notch safety features include a rear surveillance camera to prevent an ambush from behind. The car's spacious and stylish interiors up its luxury quotient. An integrated entertainment system ensures that the President can unwind by listening to music, watching movies or just catching up on TV and news. The vehicle becomes more significant in the context of his appointment to the Presidential post. After all, it was only after becoming President that he gave up the Ambassador that had ferried him for several decades of his political career.

The Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard. (Photo courtesy: mercedes-benz.com.hk)

June 21, 2017