'Beast'- the safest car across the world

It has been rightly said that the US President’s 'Beast' can beat any of James Bond’s cars.  Donald Trump and First Lady Melania will be driven around in India in his 'Beast', a 2018 model of a unique Cadillac. The presidential state car, maintained by the United States Secret Service, is transported in the hold of Air Force One. It is considered as the safest car across the world.

The body of The Beast is covered in military grade armour at least five inches thick. It is a combination of dual hardness steel, aluminium, titanium and ceramic to break up projectiles. The doors of The Beast are armoured-plated, 8 inches thick and the weight of a cabin door of a Boeing 757 jet. When closed they form a 100% seal to protect the occupants in the event of even a chemical attack. They can also be electrified to prevent intruders.

The windows of The Beast have five layers of glass and polycarbonate. They can withstand armour-piercing bullets. None but the driver’s window can open, that too by only 3 inches.

The chasis of The Beast has reinforced steel plates to protect the vehicle from bomb attacks.

The Kevlar-reinforced tyres are shred and puncture resistant with steel rims underneath. This enables the car to run even in case the tyres are destroyed.

The rear compartment of the car seats the President and upto four passengers, with glass partition. Only the President has access to a switch to lower it. The car also has a panic button as well as its own oxygen supply.

The President’s seat at the rear has a satellite phone with a direct line to the Vice President and the Pentagon. The fuel tank is armoured-plated and filled with a special foam that prevents it from exploding even after being involved in a crash. The boot part of the vehicle has firefighting system, tear gas and smoke-screen dispensers.

The car is armed with pump-action shotguns and tear gas cannons. Bags of the President’s blood type is kept on board in case he needs transfusion. The driver’s compartment has a communications centre and a GPS tracking system. At the front, under the grille is a hidden camera with night-vision facility. The chauffeur who drives The Beast is specially trained by the US Secret Service to cope with the most demanding of driving conditions, including escape and evasion and a 180-degree ‘J-turn’. It can also lay down oil slick to prevent vehicles from chasing it.