What's inside Limo One

The limousine that carries United States President-elect Barack Obama is a specially built, rocket-repelling, high-tech Cadillac limousine.

Forget your average six-stacker CD stereo and leather appointments, Obama's limo takes power and luxury to new levels. Cadillac says the side and rear profiles of the new Presidential limo are evocative of the STS and DTS sedans.

Inside, the car includes the finest examples of Cadillac's recent renaissance in design, technology and craftsmanship. The cabin blends modern design and technology with old-world craftsmanship. Major aspects of the cabin are cut and sewn by hand, the same process used in popular Cadillac models such as the CTS sedan.

Unlike the CTS sedan though, the limo gets a few special options. Night vision glasses, pump-action shotguns, tear gas cannons and even the bottles of the President's blood are believed to be stored on board just in case he needs an emergency transfusion.

The limo, which tips the scales at around four tonnes and cost almost $1 million, uses a General Motors truck chassis as its basis to handle the weight. as well as a powerful 6.5-litre diesel engine.

The huge kevlar-reinforced tyres are bullet-proof and among many purpose-built aspects of the car, including plumbing for high-tech secure radio reception and an internal oxygen supply in the event of a gas attack.

The glass is, of course, bullet and bomb proof, the doors are reinforced and weigh the same as a commercial Boeing aircraft cabin door while the bodywork is a combination of high-strength steel, titanium and even ceramic to break up possible projectiles.

The car was designed, developed and tested by terrorist and military specialists who adhered to an extensive set of specifications. It was subjected to an extreme testing regimen to ensure the occupants survived just about any attack short of a nuclear bomb. Cadillac refuses to talk about the car's security systems, only saying that “security provisions were undertaken at all times during development to ensure the car's functional capabilities are preserved and confidential”.

An embroidered presidential seal is positioned in the center of the rear seat back panel, as well as on each rear door trim panel. Presidential seals are also affixed to the exterior rear doors. The US flag is placed on the right front fender, and the presidential standard is located on the left front fender when the president travels in the vehicle. High-tech LED spotlights illuminate the flags at night.