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The vehicles are based on the [[Bentley Arnage]] floorpan, with a twin-turbocharged 6.75 litre [[V8]] engine that has been modified to produce 400 bhp (298 kW) and 616 [[lbf·ft]] (835 [[newton metre|N·m]]) of [[torque]]. Maximum speed is 130 mph (210 km/h). The state [[limousine]] is three feet longer than a standard Bentley Arnage, 10 inches taller and six inches wider. It is equipped with broad [[suicide doors]], which are hinged at the rear and open almost 90 degrees. |
The vehicles are based on the [[Bentley Arnage]] floorpan, with a twin-turbocharged 6.75 litre [[V8]] engine that has been modified to produce 400 bhp (298 kW) and 616 [[lbf·ft]] (835 [[newton metre|N·m]]) of [[torque]]. Maximum speed is 130 mph (210 km/h). The state [[limousine]] is three feet longer than a standard Bentley Arnage, 10 inches taller and six inches wider. It is equipped with broad [[suicide doors]], which are hinged at the rear and open almost 90 degrees. |
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The [[Royal Mews]] also maintains a [[Rolls-Royce Phantom IV]], which was purchased by the Queen in 1950, along with two [[Rolls-Royce Phantom VI]] models, including the bespoke Silver Jubilee car, and three [[Daimler DS420]] limousines, |
The [[Royal Mews]] also maintains a [[Rolls-Royce Phantom IV]], which was purchased by the Queen in 1950, along with two [[Rolls-Royce Phantom VI]] models, including the bespoke Silver Jubilee car, and three [[Daimler DS420]] limousines, one of which was previously owned by [[Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon|HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother]] until her death in 2002. The Queen's former Rolls-Royce Phantom VI is now at the disposal of [[Charles, Prince of Wales|HRH The Prince of Wales]] for official state events for his and his [[Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|wife's]] use. |
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== United States == |
== United States == |
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Revision as of 23:56, 30 December 2007
An official state car is a car used to transport heads of state. It is usually a limousine or an executive car.
Argentina
In recent years, Argentine Presidential vehicles have been armoured Audi A8s, which wear the same kind of registration plates as any other car in Argentina.
Australia
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The Prime Minister of Australia is often seen in a Holden Caprice, a saloon, bearing the number plate C1. Unlike his overseas counterparts, he is frequently seen in the front passenger's seat.
Cayman Islands
The Governor of the Cayman Islands is driven in a beige Cadillac Deville sedan. Surmounted on the hood is the flag of the office, and instead of license plates the car has a crown on the front and back. It is likely that the car is armoured but this is not known for certain. Other senior officials and visiting VIP's utilize a fleet of armoured Ford Excursions.
Colombia
Since 2002, the Colombian Presidential vehicles have usually been BMWs. In 2006, the Presidential fleet included two armoured BMW 7-Series, whose level of armour is a state secret. These BMWs are equipped with GPS and runflat tires, and could be considered among the safest cars in the world.[citation needed]
Denmark
The Queen Margrethe II of Denmark uses her 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith seven seater LGLW 25 body no. 10181 commonly referred to as Store Krone (Great Crown). It was purchased by her father, Frederick IX of Denmark as new. The coachbuilder and seller was Hooper & Co. (Coachbuilder) Ltd. 54 St. James Street, Picadilly, London S.W.1.Kronebilerne
In addition she uses several lesser cars for more common occasions. Noteworthy are Krone (Crown) 1, 2 and 5, which are all Daimler DS420 "Limousines" Eight Seaters of year 1970, 1989 (purchased 1994 with 1500 km) and 1986.
The name Krone and number refers to the license plate used when carrying members of the danish royal family inside Denmark.Kongehusets nummerplader
Dominican Republic
The President of the Dominican Republic uses an armored version of the 2007 Lexus LX 470. His motorcade is made up of a fleet of Toyota Prado's, Chevrolet Suburban's & a few more Lexus LX 470's.
Germany
Over years German head of states and high class politicians almost exclusively used Mercedes-Benz S-class vehicles and their predecessors. The most famous variants were the Mercedes 300 series "Adenauer" and the stretchted "Pullmann" variants. Even today the President of Germany still uses an Mercedes-Benz S600 (see picture).
Today all other German dignitaries who are being protected by the Federal Criminal Office (BKA) use cars from the BKA car pool and which are also staffed with security officers and drivers of the BKA. The car pool comprises armored cars from all German car manufactures, such Audi A8, Volkswagen Phaeton, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles.
Many German politicians tried to express themselves or their origin by choosing a car from the region they came from or by choosing a car with a certain image. Federal politicians of Bavarian origin typically use BMW cars while most other use Mercedes S-classes. Former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, was initially known for his affiliation to Audi, a car which he also drove privately. Later on Volkwagen presented him a VW Phaeton, which subsequently found its way into the car pool. Some high ranking green politicians also prefer VW, Audi and BMW cars due to their less posh image.
Hong Kong
Chief Executive of Hong Kong Donald Tsang is driven in the Lexus LS 600h L hybrid vehicle. The British Governor of Hong Kong (until 1997) used a Rolls-Royce Phantom V as his ceremonial car and a Daimler Limousine for day to day transport. These were removed by a Royal Navy transport ship on the night of the handover to China.
Indonesia
The current President of Indonesia is driven in a black, B6-armored Mercedes-Benz S600L. The previous president usually travels alone using her purple Volkswagen Beetle accompanied by security guards in Mercedes-Benz G-Classes and a Volkswagen Caravelle. The first president has more than 20 cars in his presidential garage (most of them being sold in auctions), although the official state car is the Chrysler Imperial and the Buick Limited back then. There have been rumors that the president is switching for either a new Mercedes-Benz S600L or a Bentley Continental Flying Spur. However, this has not been confirmed yet. The governor is usually driven in either a Volvo 960 or a Toyota Crown. The ministerial cars and the politicians' cars are usually Toyota Camrys and Toyota Alphards, and a few uses Mitsubishi Pajeros
Ireland
The official state car in Ireland is a 1947 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith. Douglas Hyde, the first president of Ireland was provided with a state car, but his near fatal stroke early into his term of office meant that he rarely travelled in public. When he retired in 1945 the Irish state decided that, his successor, Seán T. O'Kelly, needed a special state vehicle for formal occasions. The current active Presidential State Car of Ireland is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousine.
Japan
The official state car currently used by His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito is a specially prepared Toyota Century, a one-off $500,000 custom car. It stretches around 20 feet in length and 6.5 feet across, with extra amenities such as bulletproofing and a granite entryway.[1] The vehicle is the only Japanese product to use a V12 engine, either for domestic or international use. The emperor was previously driven in a Nissan Prince Royal.
Liberia
The current President of Liberia is driven in a black Mercedes-Benz W220 S-class with black interior.It is a pre-updated W220 and possibly a 2002. The presidential car is often escorted by serveral Nissan SUVs and security personnal armed with M16. Previous dictators such as Charles Taylor and Samuel Doe are also driven in Mercedes-Benz. Some claim that Doe has purchased over 60 luxury mercedes each costed over US$ 60,000.
South Korea
The President often rides a High security BMW 760Li which he bought 2005, but before he used a W220 Mercedes Benz S-guard which the Blue House bought in 2002, and this car was also used for the Peace talks with North Korea. When he traveled to North Korea for the Peace talks he was escorted by several S-Guards as well as Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, and also Ford Excursion
Malaysia
The Prime Minister travels in a Proton Chancellor bearing the license plate Chancellor13, which is usually escorted by traffic police outriders as well as Volvo XC90 security cars.
New Zealand
The Prime Minister travelled in one of two cars, one being a Holden Statesman sedan or Ford Fairlane, followed by the other vehicle containing their security detail. But as of December 2007, New Zealand has bought a massive fleet (34) of BMW 7 Series limousines as its new fleet of ministerial cars to be commissioned in 2008. This was the first time in recent decades that the government has not gone with the Australian Ford vehicles.
Pakistan
The President and Prime Minister of Pakistan both have armored Mercedes-Benz W221 state cars which are equipped with a bomb jamming device in each car. In each of their motorcades, up to three of these identical state cars may travel in a line. Both these vehicles fly the Pakistan Flag and the Prime Ministerial or Presidential Flag respectively. The Government of Pakistan has also arranged for armored cars also equipped with jamming devices for the Senate Chairman and Speaker of the National Assembly.
Singapore
The President of Singapore alternates between a 2001 Lexus LS430 and a 1999 Mercedes Benz S320L, both of which are white like all of Singapore's previous state cars. When travelling to official events such as the National Day Parade, the Presidential crest is displayed in place of a license plate, while normally it carries the plate SEP1.
The Prime Minister usually travels in a short-wheelbase Mercedes Benz S280, with civilian plates. The Prime Minister's Office keeps four official cars, all white Mercedes, ready for state occasions and visiting foreign dignitaries.
The President and Prime Minister, who are the only political appointees to be given official cars, are not given car grants unlike other members of the cabinet.
Spain
The President and Deputy Prime Minister of Spain both use Audis. The presidential Audi A8L was purchased in March 2005 shortly after retiring the former A8 used by Aznar. The vehicle which then cost the Spanish government well over 380.000 Euros (aprox. 520.000 USD) is said to be equipped with the latest features, runflats, level B6 armoring, satellite communications and various special items that are kept secret by the Spanish officials.
The Spanish Royal Family have one of the largest fleets of cars in Spain. Various armoured vehicles are used by the family, amongst them Audi A6s, Mercedes-Benz S-Class models and the exclusive Rolls-Royce Phantom IV. Only 18 of the latter were ever built, all were reserved for royals or heads of state. Three were ordered by General Franco and are now available for use by the Spanish Royal Family. One is a landaulet and the other two are limousines. A special order was placed on the marriage of the Prince of Asturias when a Phantom IV was stripped apart to be made bomb-proof. Modifications included heavy duty air conditioning and a special glazed armoured bubble to protect the rear passengers. The modifications cost over €360,000
United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom travels in one of two bespoke Bentley State Limousines.
The vehicles are based on the Bentley Arnage floorpan, with a twin-turbocharged 6.75 litre V8 engine that has been modified to produce 400 bhp (298 kW) and 616 lbf·ft (835 N·m) of torque. Maximum speed is 130 mph (210 km/h). The state limousine is three feet longer than a standard Bentley Arnage, 10 inches taller and six inches wider. It is equipped with broad suicide doors, which are hinged at the rear and open almost 90 degrees.
The Royal Mews also maintains a Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, which was purchased by the Queen in 1950, along with two Rolls-Royce Phantom VI models, including the bespoke Silver Jubilee car, and three Daimler DS420 limousines, one of which was previously owned by HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother until her death in 2002. The Queen's former Rolls-Royce Phantom VI is now at the disposal of HRH The Prince of Wales for official state events for his and his wife's use.
United States
The President of the United States travels in an armored Cadillac limousine; based upon the normal sedan, the Cadillac DTS with heavy customisation.
The vehicle was custom built by a team formerly called O'Gara, Hess and Eisenhart, founded in Fairfield, Ohio in 1942, and specializing in armoring limousines for presidents and heads of state. The vehicle's extensive features include dark windows, state-of-the-art communication and protection systems, a hidden desktop for use of the President also with the rear of the limousine fitted with a gas-proof chamber if Cadillac One was to incur a gas attack.[2]
Uruguay
The presidential state car in Uruguay is an armored 2005 Chevrolet Vectra, bought by president Tabaré Vázquez when he started his term in March 1, 2005. Before that, the president travelled in a Mitsubishi Galant from the government's fleet of diplomatic cars.
See also
References
- ^ Windingroad.com (July 13, 2006 10:12 a.m.). "Toyota gives emperor the Century Royal treatment". Windingroad.com. Retrieved 2007-08-29.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ conceptcarz.com. "Cadillac DTS Limousine Specification (Presidential)". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 2007-11-20.