Last week, US President Joe Biden made his first official visit to Asia, to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and attend the Quad Leaders’ Summit.
Typical of US Presidents, Biden brought his own convoy of vehicles. Protocol of the US Secret Service guarding the President means that the President must only travel in his own armoured vehicle, accompanied by a convoy security vehicles, including his own ambulance, communication vehicles, and of course, weapons assault vehicles.
Electronic defence countermeasures vehicle (left)
The President’s motorcade include two identical Cadillac limousines (one to serve as a decoy), nicknamed The Beast, which is not only bulletproof, but also has its own air supply to protect its occupants against biological or chemical attacks.
Communications vehicle, nicknamed Road Runner, probably the most important vehicle in keeping the convoy
The tyres are run-flats but unlike the ones fitted on your or , these are resistant against bullets too. Even if there is a puncture, the vehicle can still be driven at relatively high speeds, buying enough time to get the President to safety.
Inside the limo is also a fridge stocked with the President’s blood.
Hazardous materials handling unit
The Beast is said to be nearly 5.5 metres long (a full size measures about 5.2 metres long) and weighs over 6 tons (nearly 3 times heavier than the LS, mostly due to its armoured materials).
Although it looks like a Cadillac, The Beast is built on a GMC heavy duty truck platform.
Some say The Beast is equipped with James Bond-style countermeasures like spraying a smoke screen or even oil at its pursuers. Of course, there’s no way to confirm this.
Still, all these over-the-top measures hasn’t stop the US Secret Service from embarrassing itself.
Once, during George Bush II’s tenure, The Beast, an earlier generation model, broke down in Rome.
Another time, during Obama’s tenure, the limo broke down because it was mistakenly filled with diesel.
And then there was one time when The Beast’s long wheelbase and heavy weight saw it getting caught on a ramp in Ireland.
Keyword: President Biden's Cadillac 'The Beast' makes a Lexus LS look like an IS