The Global Car-Nama

It takes a special sort of car to transport the world’s most powerful politicians and heads of state.  Ever wondered what kind of cars ferried around the leaders of the free world? Well, we found out for you.

NARENDRA MODI: BMW

Though we always expect Indian ministers to travel in white ambassadors with red lights, the Prime Minister gets what you could call preferential treatment. When he won the office of the most powerful man in India, Narendra Modi traded in his trusty Mahindra Scorpio for a BMW 7 Series 760 Li Security edition. This hyper-fortified vehicle can withstand attacks from AK-47 bullets, blunt objects and bombs. It also features an intercom system, which allows the PM to call for back-up.  

 

BARACK OBAMA: Cadillac Limo

His popularity ratings may have plunged lower than the Mariana Trench but Barack Obama’s Cadillac limo, nicknamed “The Beast”, is still a crowd puller. Rumour has it the doors weigh as much as those on a Boeing 757, and it’s got grenade launchers, tear gas canisters and even phials of Obama’s blood tucked into the body of the car.

 

DAVID CAMERON: Jaguar XJ Sentinel

David Cameron rides in a specially armoured Jaguar XJ Sentinel. This car has been tested to withstand bombs packing up to 15kgs of TNT. It also has special gunports, to allow his bodyguards to return fire if Cameron were to come under attack. Interestingly, the XJ Senitel was first launched in Russia, where oligarchs book it in bulk.

 

ANGELA MERKEL: Audi A8

Last year, when Angela Merkel attended the European Summit in Brussels, she rocked up in an Audi A8 with a 007 number plate. Why? Well, three days earlier, Merkel had called Obama and told him that America’s spying on her was completely unacceptable. What can we say? M always gets the last word.  

 

STEPHEN HARPER: Cadillac DTS

The Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper uses the Governor General’s official state car that he often borrows: an armoured, long-wheelbase Cadillac DTS. The Caddy is usually surrounded by a motorcade of a half-dozen or more vehicles, including Chevrolet Tahoes and Expresses, manned by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Canada is the only G8 member to not have its own native car company (i.e. General Motors in the US, or Fiat in Italy), we think the Ontario-built Chrysler 300 (also available in stretched limo form), would make for a more appropriate ride.