The current Presidential Limousine is a 2006 hand-crafted, armored version of the stretch Cadillac DTS (DeVille Touring Sedan), weighing 60,000 pounds, first used on January 20, 2005 during the second inauguration parade of George W. Bush. The vehicle was custom built by a team formerly called O’Gara, Hess and Eisenhart, founded in Fairfield, Ohio in 1942, specializing in armoring limousines for presidents and heads of state, and now a subsidiary of BAE Systems.
The vehicle’s exterior is that of a Cadillac DTS, however a GM truck chassis with a specialized engine is used. The standard DeVille flush-style door handles have been replaced by a loop-type design, made specifically for this vehicle. The security door handles may only be opened by trained Secret Service personnel. The exterior wreath-and-crest emblems located behind the rear side windows are the only stock components.
Similar to its predecessor, the 2001 Presidential Limousine, the stretch Cadillac features an executive plush interior with a rear foldaway desktop, an extensive entertainment system featuring a 10-disc CD changer and adaptive, massaging cushions. The president sits in the rear seat, facing a console-mounted, secure communications panel which is connected to five antennas mounted on the trunk lid. The vehicle has a United States flag mounted on the left front fender and a Presidential flag on the right front fender. Flush-mounted high intensity discharge (HID) spotlights illuminate the flags at night. Similar to an option available on the standard Cadillac DTS, the presidential limousine is said to have a night vision system, with the camera placed in an undisclosed location.
The exterior is paneled with five inches of ballistic armor, designed to withstand anti-tank grenade launchers. The underside of the car is also armored. The fully functional windows are made of transparent armor of sufficient thickness to block sunlight, requiring interior illumination with artificial lighting. The car has a run-flat tire system utilizing tires custom made twice annually by GoodYear. The limousine is environmentally sealed against chemical and biological attacks.
No, my friend was in a Suburban with 5 others.