These are the Top 5 most fascinating cars deployed by some of the world's most powerful - and divisive - individuals.
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In recent weeks we've seen Donald Trump sworn-in as the 47th president of the United States of America, accompanied by his infamous and bullet-proof US Presidential Limousine, known affectionately as 'The Beast'.
But what about other key figures from the world of politics, religion and government? Which leader has the most expensive official ride? What's the vehicle of choice for England's own King Charles? And which world leader actively shuns bullet-proof glass in favour of being closer to his subjects?
To find out, read our revealing run-down:
Donald Trump
President of the United States of America
Car: Cadillac One AKA The Beast
Estimated Cost: $1.2 million, £948,000
Nicknamed "The Beast," this formidable vehicle is a rolling fortress that combines luxury with unmatched security. Before the assassination of John F Kennedy in 1963, US presidents often drove around in vehicles uncovered. However, the assassination that shocked the world highlighted the need for much more secure vehicles. The nickname for the President’s car first cropped-up during George W. Bush’s presidency, when his Cadillac DeVille was given the apt nickname. While the presidential vehicle has changed since then, the nickname has remained. The current version of The Beast was initially commissioned by the Secret Service in 2014 and was first introduced during Donald Trump’s first presidential term in 2018. The car reportedly cost over $1.5 million dollars to manufacture.
When the car was created, it was reported that there were three contracts issued to create the new Beast, before the final version was chosen. While it hasn’t been confirmed how many individual Beasts are in use, President Biden reportedly had at least seven present during his inauguration in 2020.
For Trump’s latest inauguration, around 25,000 law enforcement and military personnel descended on Washington D.C following the two previous assassination attempts on Trump during his 2024 campaign. On inauguration day, the Secret Service changes the license plates on The Beast to signify that a new president has taken office.
This custom-built Cadillac One boasts 5-inch thick bulletproof glass and 8 inches of armour plating. The Beast also reportedly weighs 9 tonnes – the heaviest vehicle in our list. A huge 6.6-litre diesel engine provides power of around 350 hp.
Trump’s car also has tear gas grenade launchers at the front and a “firefighting system” in the boot, which holds tear gas and smoke screen dispensers. A state-of-the-art communication units allow the President to speak directly to the Vice President and to White House staff, while another such system in the front cabin is used by a trained US Secret Service driver. One of the more unique features of The Beast is a fridge full of the President’s blood – which could prove crucial in the event of a severe medical emergency.
Pope Francis
Head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State
Car: Mercedes-Benz G Class Electric - AKA The Popemobile
Unlike his predecessor Pope Francis doesn’t believe in hiding behind bullet-proof glass, instead preferring to be much closer to the people he’s visiting, stating: "I know that something could happen to me, but it’s in the hands of God”. Instead, his purpose-built convertible Mercedes G Class is designed for maximum comfort and accessibility, as the Pope requires a wheelchair to move around comfortably.
In 1929, the Vatican acquired its first car to transport the Pope, however the first official 'Popemobile' was introduced in 1930 to more efficiently transport the Head of the Catholic Church. Mercedes-Benz was responsible for creating the first ever Popemobile and is responsible for making the most recent electric version for Pope Francis, too.
The Pope's G580 'G Wagon' EV was presented to him at the end of 2024. Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius said: "With the new Popemobile, Pope Francis is the first pope to be traveling in a fully electric Mercedes-Benz when making public appearances, This is a special honour for our company, and I would like to thank His Holiness for his trust. With this Popemobile, we are also sending out a clear call for electromobility and decarbonisation.”
The electrified G-Class costs around £154,860 to buy outright - so you can expect the Pope's customised variant to cost around double that amount. A 116 kWh battery provides a range of around 285 miles and power of 579 hp.
There have been many iterations of the 'Popemobile' over the years, with some vehicles allowing for the pope to stand upright as he travelled through crowds. In 1981, there was an assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II, which introduced the need for bulletproof glass as a precaution. Pope Francis, however, has eschewed such protections.
The cabin features a detachable roof, to allow the Pope to go out in all weathers, as well as heated seats and a heated handrail for colder days, alongside a fully-rotating central seat. It’s also reported that Pope Francis drives his own vehicle while out and about in the Vatican City - a 1984 Renault 4 hatchback car with 300,000 km on the clock!
King Charles the Third
King of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms
Car: 2002 Bentley State Limousine
Estimated Cost: £10 Million
Originally created for Queen Elizabeth II on her golden jubilee, this custom 2002 Bentley Arnage R Limo has been used by the Royal family for 23 years. In fact, there are two of them, at an estimated cost of around £10 million each.
The Bentley was altered to have a longer wheelbase, making the vehicle 20 feet long, and weighs around 4 tonnes. The passenger doors are designed to open backwards, making for a more dignified exit for those inside. Reports suggest that the cabin is blast proof and is sealed air-tight in case of a gas attack. The tyres are made from reinforced Kevlar and the bodywork is fully bulletproof, too.
While the Bentleys are powered by 6.75-litre V8 engines with 400 hp on tap, King Charles III is commitment to environmental sustainability and plans to convert the State Limousines to run on biofuels.
The Bentley is used for official state visits, however King Charles has a number of luxury vehicles in his private collection too. This includes a 1965 Aston Martin DB6 Volante.
Vladmir Putin
President of the Russian Federation
Car: Auras Senat
Estimated Cost: $1.7 million, £1.3 million
The Senat is a sumptuous saloon from Moscow-headquartered vehicle manufacturer Auras and also said to be the ‘Russian Rolls-Royce’.
The car features a bold front grill, with vertical chrome slats and a prominent Auras badge. The interior of the car has been built with luxury in mind, with plush leather seats and elegant wood panelling along the doors. Kim Jong Un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, can also be seen in an Auras Senat, as Putin gifted him a slightly smaller version at the start of 2024.
Russia's leaders haven't always ridden in Russian cars. The late former President Boris Yeltsin made use of a Mercedes-Benz W140 as his official vehicle when in power.
The current Aurus Senat is stretched and heavily armoured to provide protection to one of the world's most divisive figures. The protective panelling has a VR10-level ballistic protection rating and is paired with 20-inch bulletproof wheels and 2.4-inch-thick glass. The fuel tank is resistant to fire and explosives while the Senat is also packing an emergency air filtration system.
The Senat is powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that produces power of 580 hp.
Xi Jinping
General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party
Car: Hongqi N701
Estimated Cost: $700k, £568k
Hongqi is one of China's oldest vehicle manufacturers, headquartered in Changchun, Jilin, and in its early days Hongqi only made cars for high-ranking government officials.
President Xi Jinping's current ride is a presidential Hongqi N701, with power provided by a 6.0-liter V12 engine that develops around 408 hp.
The N701 is based on the more traditional Hongqi L5 (which costs around £500,000 in China) but adds larger reinforced tyres, bulletproof glass and armour that can reportedly withstand bomb-blasts and chemical attacks.
Sources
• https://spyscape.com/article/7-top-secrets-about-the-beast-presidential-limo
• https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/features/us-presidential-limousines/
•https://www.autoblog.com/features/on-her-majestys-service-2002-bentley-state-limousine
• https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1489519/queen-bentley-state-limousine-golden-jubilee-value
• https://group.mercedes-benz.com/company/news/electric-popemobile.html
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