In Pics: World leaders and their official cars - From PM Modi's Maybach to Biden's 'Beast'
From PM Modi's recent Mercedes-Maybach S650 Guard to the US President's 'The Beast', here's a look at some of the safest cars used for the most powerful people in the world.
Special Protection Group (SPG) entrusted with the task of providing proximate security to the Prime Minister of India recently inducted Mercedes-Maybach S650 Guard in the convoy of PM, replacing the ageing BMW 7-Series. Launched in 2019, the Maybach 650 is one of the most expensive production armoured vehicles in India and gets the VR10 protection level, which is the highest-ever protection provided in a production car. Apart from India's Maybach for PM, a lot of state heads use some of the safest vehicles in the world, most prominent being 'The Beast' being used as the official car for the President of the United States. Here's a look at some of these cars driving the most powerful people in the world.
Narendra Modi (India) - Mercedes-Maybach S650 Guard
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new Mercedes-Maybach S650 Guard is an armoured car inducted by the Special Protection Group (SPG). As per the security detail, they have six years' norm to replace vehicles used for protection and the BMW was used for eight years by PM Modi. It gets the VR10 protection level, which is the highest-ever protection provided in a production car.
Boris Johnson (UK) - Jaguar XJ ‘The Sentinel’
UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson uses the Jaguar XJ called ‘The Sentinel’ made by UK based JLR group owned by India's Tata group. The Sentinel can withstand a blast equivalent to 15 kilograms of TNT and close range gun and grenade attacks. It also has rear massage seats for the comfort of the occupants.
Vladimir Putin (Russia) - Aurus Senat
Kim Jong Un (North Korea) - Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard
Xi Jinping (China) - Hongqi N501 'The Red Flag'
The state owned Hongqi N501 is the official vehicle of President Xi Jinping and it means “red flag”, a traditional symbol for the Communist Party. The car is made by FAW and has long been the official vehicle for high-ranking government officials. The car is based on the Audi A8L platform and is not for sale to civilians.
Joe Biden (US) - Cadillac One 'The Beast'
United States President Joe Biden's official presidential car - Cadillac One, also known as 'The Beast' needs no introduction. It's the most recognized state cars in the world and is often considered the safest vehicle in the world. The Beast weighs 9,000 kgs (20,000 pounds) and has an 8-inch thick armour that makes it impenetrable for bullets and explosives as well.
