Here are the most famous presidential cars!
Cars have always been a symbol of power, and it is well known that the most influential people in this world have some of the most interesting and performant cars.
In order to lead a country, you need to be a special type of person, and many times this also requires a special type of car. These are the people who own some of the best cars ever created, cars that are real weapons on the road, and today you’ll find out more about these presidential cars.
All of these cars have something in common, whether they are made in their home countries or imported. All of them are powerful cars. Our world leaders need security, and these vehicles are the best ones to keep them safe while delivering outstanding performance.
Ready for a ride?
Aurus Senat (Vladimir Putin)
If you ever wondered what car Vladimir Putin uses, now you have the answer. His presidential car is an Aurus Senat that costs around $245,000. But this price is just the one for the civilian version. Be sure that the armored vehicle with plush interiors that Putin uses costs a lot more.
The Aurus Senat comes with a 4.4-liter V8 hybrid engine that produces 598 horsepower, offering robust performance. Besides this, since this is one of the presidential cars, it is armored and is rumored that it weighs around 7 tons. But this is a very important feature because it can withstand a variety of high-risk scenarios, including bomb blasts, sniper fires, and chemical gas attacks.
Also, this Aurus Seat is equipped with top-notch features such as state-of-the-art communication systems and CCTV surveillance, which makes this vehicle a real mobile command center.
Aurus Motors is Russia’s first luxury car brand, and the Senat is a symbol of national pride. The company aims to rival global luxury giants like Rolls-Royce and Bentley, with the Aurus Senat standing as the best car they ever manufactured.
Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard (Kim Jong-Un)
When talking about presidential cars, it is known that Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has a preference for luxury and security. It’s pretty hard to find out what the preferred presidential cars are, but in 2018, at a summit in Singapore where he met then-U.S. President Donald Trump, the Korean leader made a striking entrance in a Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard.
The exact specifications of his limousine remain a secret, but experts say it resembles a model that was produced until 2013, when the production was ceased. This means it might have a 5.5-liter bi-turbo V12 engine capable of generating 517 horsepower. Performance and power are both under the same hood.
We can say for sure that since we are talking about one of the presidential cars, this one is also heavily armored, being able to withstand a wide range of attacks, from bullets to explosive devices.
The civilian version of the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard is not an ordinary vehicle and costs $1.5 million. However, Kim’s version is customized to include additional high-level security features, and this surely increases the costs.
DS 7 Crossback (Emmanuel Macron)
Another one of the famous presidential cars is Emmanuel Macron’s DS 7 Crossback. Marcon is the first French president who has this car as his official car. Right after his inauguration, Marcon surprised the public by appearing in a customized open-roof car and waving at them.
What is interesting is that, unlike other leaders, the president of France is not a fan of limousines. Instead, he prefers this SUV. This is a modern approach to presidential cars, and we want to see more leaders adopting a different style.
Over time, his vehicle has seen significant upgrades, with Macron now traveling in the DS 7 Crossback Élysée. This is a special version of this car, the armored version of the original Crossback. Compared to the standard model Marcon rode in 2017, this version is 20 centimeters longer, ensuring more comfort and also more space for various security features.
Another feature that makes this one of the presidential cars different from others is its E-Tense plug-in hybrid powertrain. It has two electric motors and a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 300 horsepower while maintaining efficiency and sustainability.
The standard model is priced at around $74,000, but Macron’s customized version, with its extended dimensions and sophisticated armor, costs significantly more.
Hongqi N501 (Xi Jinping)
The Hongqi N50 is the official presidential car of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and it is easy to see that this is one of the presidential cars that symbolizes prestige and power. The name of the car, “Hongqi,” translates as “red flag,” and it is a homage to the Chinese Communist Party, making it a fitting choice for the nation’s leader.
This is a beautiful vehicle that has a four-door sedan body, stretching approximately 18 feet in length and 6.5 feet in width. The statement piece is its bold front grille, which reminds us of high-end state cars such as the ones manufactured by Rolls-Royce.
The N501 features an automatic transmission and is powered by a robust 402 hp turbocharged V8 engine, capable of a maximum range of 800 km on a full tank. This is perfect for long journeys.
This vehicle weighs around 3 tons because it is heavily armored. The details of its security features remain undisclosed, but it’s a car that is made to protect one of the most important leaders of this world.
The Hongqi marque appeared first in 1958, and it was created by the state-owned First Auto Works (FAW) Group. Since then, this car has been the symbol of luxury and power in China and is the prime vehicle of senior government officials.
Hyundai Nexo and Hyundai Casper (Moon Jae-in)
President Park Geun-hye was the first Korean president who made history when he chose a limousine made by a local automaker, and we are talking about the Hyundai Equus Stretch. This is a powerful car that has a 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 430 horsepower, and choosing this vehicle was a great way to promote South Korea’s automotive engineering.
In 2017, Moon Jae-in took office, and everyone was expecting him to inherit Park’s armored Hyundai. However, in 2018, the former president of South Korea arrived at a summit in North Korea in a Mercedes-Maybach, accompanied by a convoy that included Cadillac Escalades, Chevrolet Starcraft, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models. The only domestic model that was present was the Hyundai Genesis.
This raised many questions about the ability of this country to produce good cars. Everyone was wondering why they had to rely on imported luxury brands for official security vehicles.
In 2019, Moon introduced the Hyundai Nexo, a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, into his fleet, showing his commitment to eco-friendly initiatives and advancing South Korea’s hydrogen economy.
Later in 2021, he purchased a Hyundai Casper, and this is the move that stole the hearts of many people. The Casper is a compact mini SUV that is well known for its affordability and small size. With a 1.0-liter engine (available in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants), this car was the symbol that showed South Koreans how down-to-earth their former president was.
If you want to learn more about presidential cars, this is the perfect place to start: Presidential Cars & Transportation: From Horse and Carriage to Air Force One, the Story of How the Presidents of the United States Travel
You should also read: What Drives Elon Musk? A Peek Into His Car Collection
