Do you know how Presidents, Prime Ministers and Monarchs of the world travel from one place to another?

Do you know how Presidents, Prime Ministers and Monarchs of the world travel from one place to another? We bring you the preferred choice of these VVIPs as we take you on a tour of some of the world’s most important official state cars.

The Great Ride Of China
   

Traditionally, the official limousine for the Chinese leaders has been the Hongqi. In 2009 former President Hu Jintao was driven around in a Hongqi HQE Limousine and since then all Chinese leaders have been using the Hongqi HQE. The HQE is bulletproof, completely hand-built and comes with run-flat tyres. In recent years, Chinese leaders have switched to using minibuses, such as the Toyota Coaster, for short-distance trips. The current President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, is also chauffeured in a Hongqi.

The German Gem
   

Over the years, German Chancellors have often used the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and its preceding models as official state cars. Angela Merkel, the present German Chancellor, uses an armoured Audi A8 with the 0-2 licence plate. She is also known to alternate among German car brands – Audi, BMW and Volkswagen – so as to project neutrality and support for the German car industry in general. Currently the state car of the President of Germany is an armoured Mercedes-Benz S600, bearing the licence plate 0-1.

French Delight
   

The President of France can choose among several armoured versions of high-end French cars, which include the likes of the Citroën C6, Renault Vel Satis and Peugeot 607. These are traditionally provided by the manufacturers and different Presidents have their own preferences. Current President François Hollande is usually chauffeured in an armoured Citroën C6. For ceremonial occasions, the President also has access to two special open-top Citroën SM Présidentielle models, created by the renowned coach-builder, Henri Chapron.

The Emperor’s Ride

His Imperial Majesty of Japan, Akihito, and the Empress commute in a specially prepared Toyota Century Royal. This one-off $5,00,000 custom car, specially built by Toyota, is a whopping 20 feet long and 6.5 feet wide and comes equipped with extra amenities such as bullet-proofing and a granite entryway. The Japanese Prime Minister travels in a Lexus LS 600h L, the official transport for the head of government, escorted by a fleet of Toyota Celsiors used by the Japanese police.

La Dolce Vita

Enrico Letta, the Prime Minister of Italy, is chauffeured around in an armoured Maserati Quattroporte complete with Italian flags, while the government fleet also includes an Audi A6 and A8, Lancia Thesis and Thesis Stola S85 (limousine), BMW E60 and E65, Mercedes-Benz W212 and W221, Alfa Romeo 159 and 166 models. There is also a curious three-wheeled vehicle, Piaggio Ape Calessino, for the President’s service at his residence in Naples.

Westminster Wheels

British Prime Minister David Cameron is usually driven in one of a fleet of armoured Jaguar XJ Sentinel models, escorted by a fleet of Range Rover or Land Rover Discovery vehicles and police motorcycle outriders. The British government maintains the Government Car and Despatch Agency, which provides transport for senior government officials and incorporates vehicles such as armoured BMW 760Li models and even Toyota Prius hybrid models.

From Russia With Love

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, is usually seen in an armoured Mercedes-Benz S-Class-stretched limousine.

The presidential motorcade is escorted by police motorcycle outriders and a series of support vehicles, which include the Mercedes G-Class and E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Volkswagen Caravelle. Generals and officers of the armed forces drive Volgas, which mostly have engines from better cars and other technical modifications.

The American Dream

Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America, travels in a heavily armoured, custom-built limousine, which is often referred to as Cadillac One. The vehicle is based on a GMC Topkick platform and has the outward appearance of an enlarged Cadillac DTS limousine. The vehicle features bulletproof windows, state-of-the-art communication and protection systems, a stowable desk and a gas-proof chamber for defence against gas attacks.

Royal Chario

Queen Elizabeth II generally commutes in one of two custom-built Bentley State Limousines specially delivered to her in 2002 by Bentley to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. These unique vehicles are based on the Bentley Arnage floorpan and are equipped with broad suicide doors, which are hinged at the rear and open almost 90 degrees. The car also has opaque rear window panels that can be removed to allow increased visibility when the Queen is attending a public event.

Article by: Mechell Tim 

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