The denuclearization negotiations between American President Donald Trump and North Korean premier Kim Jong-Un are certainly important, but despite the historical importance, the talks don't really fall into the purview of Motor1.com's normal subject matter. However, when the two leaders check out The Beast, Trump's bullet-proof limo, we take notice. Watch Kim take a brief inside the vehicle in the clip below.
While Kim is allowed to take a quick look, the media on the scene aren't so welcome at seeing inside the limo that contains a bevy of top-secret equipment. Security physically push photographers aside to keep them from getting a shot at the cabin. To make the scene funnier, even the two members of the media shove each other to get a better look.
In order to ensure the President's safety, very little is known about The Beast. While the exterior looks like the Cadillac limousine, a heavy-duty truck chassis actually underpins the vehicle. The significant amount of armor and other equipment means that it weighs 15,000 to 20,000 pounds (6,800 to 9,000 kilograms). Rumors suggest that the equipment onboard includes a fire suppression system, front-mounted night-vision camera, tear gas launcher, sealed rear section with filters to protect from a chemical weapon attack, and a chaff system in case an attacker launches a missile at the car. If things go very wrong, a supply of the President's blood type is allegedly is kept inside. Encrypted communications equipment let Trump use The Beast like a rolling oval office.
Photos from Singapore show that that Trump is still using the Obama-era version of the Beast for this trip, and it might be one of the last journeys for the limo. According to statements to Fox News, the Secret Service intends to start using a new model (spy shots above) in the late summer of 2018.
Nouvelles connexes