20 exotic cars

Members of the world's royal families, as well as presidents, prime ministers, and other public figures, enjoy many privileges, including travel to distant lands, gourmet meals at state banquets, and the knowledge that they have nothing to worry about. about paying the bills—at least until the next election, or until they are overthrown by a revolution!

Transportation is another perk of the job: world leaders, from the Queen of England to the King of Tonga, travel in their luxury vehicles, although in the case of King George Tupou V of Tonga, it is his personal choice when needed. came by road was an old London black cab!

And it's not just a four-wheeler that world leaders and royalty can use when it comes to getting from point A to point B. When he (or she) needs to fly somewhere, the President of the United States has access to Air Force One. although Donald Trump may prefer to use his own, more ostentatious private jet for trips to Mar-a-Lago…

The British royal family even had their own royal yacht Britannia, which used to take royal dignitaries on overseas trips in the pre-air travel days, and which has now been decommissioned to become a tourist attraction in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. So what cars are these world leaders diving in? Here are 20 exotic cars they drive.

20 President of Brazil - 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith

Brazil is another country that is a fan of classic Rolls-Royce engines when it comes to the official state car. In their case, the President of Brazil is driven to ceremonial events in a 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith. The Silver Wraith was originally one of two purchased by President Getúlio Vargas in the 1950s. After his tragic suicide, while still on duty, two cars ended up in the possession of his family. In the end, the Vargas family returned the convertible to the Brazilian government and kept the hardtop model! For everyday commuting, Brazil's president uses a greener Ford Fusion Hybrid, and the government recently purchased several armored Ford Edge SUVs for use by the president and his security forces.

19 President of Italy - Armored Maserati Quattroporte

The President of Italy is another world leader who has made a patriotic choice when it comes to state car, receiving a custom armored Maserati Quattroporte in 2004, while another similar car was given to the then prime minister. Minister Silvio Berlusconi. P

Before the introduction of the Maserati Quattroporte, the President of Italy used one of the four Lancia Flaminia limousines to travel to official and state events, and today they remain part of the presidential fleet.

In fact, four cars were specially designed and built for Queen Elizabeth to use on her state visit to Italy in 1961, and when the Maserati Quattroporte failed to make its first trip, the trusty Flaminias were there to intervene.

18 President of China - Hongqi L5 limousine

Until the 1960s, China had no domestic auto industry to supply its leaders with. Chairman Mao, for example, rode around in a bulletproof ZIS-115 donated by Joseph Stalin. When Honqqi started making high-end cars, Chinese presidents (who also use the title of general secretary of the Communist Party) and other leading politicians began using domestically produced limousines for official government business. Current President Xi Jinping uses a Hongqi L5 limousine for his government functions, and he even took his car abroad for the first time during a state visit to New Zealand in 2014. Until now, Chinese leaders have been happy to use vehicles provided for them by their owners, but state visits are a great opportunity to promote the Chinese auto industry.

17 President of Russia - Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard Pullman

According to sputniknews.com

Traditionally, Soviet leaders had always driven the ZIL-41047, made by the USSR's state-owned automaker, but after the collapse of communism, Russian leaders fell in love with Western cars as much as they loved Western ideologies.

Vladimir Putin, the current president of Russia, uses a Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard Pullman equipped with all sorts of protective gear, although the Kremlin maintains a couple of older ZIL models for use in festivities and military parades.

For the next presidential state car, or ProcessionPutin is returning to his Russian roots and has ordered a new car from NAMI, the Russian Central Research Automobile and Automobile Engine Building Institute, to be delivered in 2020 and to have a new engine design that the institute is currently developing.

16 Saudi Prince - Supercar Fleet 

The Saudi royal family is infamous for its fast-growing young (and old) princes and cars made by Rolls-Royce and Bentley in the garages of the Saudi royal family. However, one prince has taken this love of cars a step further than most by launching a fleet of supercars covered in gold vinyl. Turki bin Abdullah brought his golden cars to London in 2016 and residents of affluent Knightsbridge were shocked to see a custom Aventador, Mercedes AMG six-wheeled SUV, Rolls Phantom coupe, Bentley Flying Spur and Lamborghini. The Huracan—still the same bright gold color—was parked in the street. While they may not be the official vehicles of the Saudi royal family, these ostentatious cars seem to reflect Saudi Arabia's taste for four-wheeled accessories.

15 Sultan of Brunei - 1992 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI

Brunei, a tiny oil-rich enclave in northern Indonesia, is ruled by a sultan whose rich taste in all walks of life is well documented. The Sultan alone is rumored to be worth $20 billion and he definitely spends money like his money is burning a hole in his pocket.

As for the official state car, only the best will do for the Sultan of Brunei, and he prefers to drive a 1992 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI to official visits and official events.

It is currently only available to very special customers. The Sultan custom-designed two of his Rolls-Royce Phantoms, asking for the trunk to be redesigned to better suit his needs. This is not the only car of the Sultan. Rumor has it that he has an amazing collection of thousands of different vehicles, all stored in a garage the size of ten football fields.

14 Queen Elizabeth II - Rolls-Royce Phantom VI

The Sultan is in good company by choosing the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI as his official car, as it is also the official car of the British Royal Family and Queen Elizabeth II. However, the Queen has more than just one company car. On some occasions, she and other members of the royal family drive one of two custom-built Bentleys built especially for Her Majesty on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002. The royal collection also includes an Aston Martin Volante, which she bought for Prince Charles at 21.^st a birthday present and the very first royal car, the Daimler Phaeton, launched in 1900. When visiting her estates at Sandringham and Balmoral, the Queen often drives around in her trusty Land Rover.

13 President of Uruguay - Volkswagen Beetle 1987

When José Mujica became President of Uruguay in 2010, he abandoned the concept of a state car, preferring instead to drive to official events in his own bright blue 1987 Volkswagen Beetle. Mujica saw this as a statement of his humble roots, and it became an iconic symbol of his down-to-earth presidency, especially given his unwavering support for Uruguay's working class. Ironically, as his presidency came to an end in 2015, he received numerous offers from people who wanted to buy his famous VW Beetle, including an alleged $1 million offer from an Arab sheik. Naturally, the man who called himself "the poorest president in the world" did not hesitate to refuse a very generous offer.

12 King of Sweden - Stretched Volvo S80

Via commons.wikimedia.org

The King of Sweden is one of many world leaders who make patriotic choices when it comes to the state machine. He chose a stretched Volvo S80 as the official car to visit and participate in state events. Volvo is Sweden's leading car manufacturer, reporting record sales worldwide in 2017. The royal collection includes several foreign-made cars, including a 1950 Daimler, which is the oldest in the collection, and a 1969 Cadillac Fleetwood, which was the official state car until the royal family decided to switch to Volvo in the 1980s. The Swedish royal family has also made a commitment to move towards cleaner cars in the future, a trend that leaders around the world are repeating.

11 South Korean president stretches Hyundai Equus limousines

In 2009, the President of South Korea received three Hyundai Equus stretch limousines as the official car for state occasions. The cars have been modified with protective measures, including bulletproof glass and armored plating strong enough to withstand a 15-kilogram explosive blast - practical and stylish. In 2013, Park Geun-hye became not only the first female president of the Republic of South Korea, but also the first South Korean president to come to his inauguration in a car made in South Korea, which shows great confidence in the country. developing automobile industry and a source of pride for ordinary South Koreans. Previous presidents have come to their inaugurations in European-made cars.

10 King of the Netherlands - stretched Audi A8

The Dutch royal family is notorious for its earthiness: King Willem-Alexander, his wife Máxima and their children were often photographed on bicycles to get around Amsterdam before Willem-Alexander became king in 2013, and he was forced to use bicycles. a safer and more appropriate mode of transport. In 2014, King Willem-Alexander decided that the stretched Audi A8 would be the new state car of the Dutch royal family for official visits and celebrations. The Audi A8 usually sells for around $400,000, but the model used by the King of the Netherlands costs more due to the extra safety measures and custom design features he wanted to include in the new official car, including extra legroom for the comfort of the king and queen . .

9 President of France - Citroen DS

The French president is also encouraged to "buy local" and when a new president is elected, he or she is allowed to choose from a selection of high-end French cars, some of which include the Citroen DS5 Hybrid4, Citroen C6, Renault Vel Satis, and Peugeot 607. Different presidents have had different personal preference, but perhaps the most iconic choice was the Citroen DS chosen by Charles de Gaulle, who saved him from two assassination attempts thanks to the car's ability to keep moving even when all of its tires were punctured! Current President Emmanuel Macron has chosen the new DS7 Crossback, the first luxury SUV from DS Automobiles and Renault Espace. He traveled to and from his inauguration wearing a specially adapted model that allowed him to wave to the assembled crowd from an open hatch.

8 Prince Albert of Monaco – Lexus LS 600h L Landaulet Hybrid Sedan

The royal family of Monaco is known for their decadent and luxurious lifestyle. The late Prince Rainier, who was married to Hollywood star Grace Kelly, obviously appreciated the finer things in life, judging by his car collection. The collection is now in a museum in Monaco and includes vintage engines along with historic Formula 1 cars. His son and current monarch Prince Albert has somewhat more practical tastes when it comes to cars, and he uses a one-of-a-kind Lexus LS 600h L Landaulet hybrid sedan as his official state car. Albert's commitment to sustainable vehicles goes far beyond the official car of the Principality. His own car collection reads like an environmentalist's dream and includes the BMW Hydrogen 7, Toyota Prius, Fisker Karma, Tesla Roadster and limited production Venturi Fétish, the first sports car specifically designed to run on electricity.

7 Queen Margret From Denmark - 1958 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith Seven Seater

The Danish royal family also boasts a collection of fine vintage cars, including Queen Margrethe's state car, a seven-seater 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith called the Store Krone or "Big Crown" that was bought by her father. Frederick IX of Denmark, like new. The rest of the royal fleet includes the Krone 1, 2 and 5, which are Daimler's eight-seat limousines, as well as the Bentley Mulsanne, which was added to the collection in 2012. For more routine trips, the Queen prefers to use a hybrid. Lexus LS 600h Limousine, and her son, Crown Prince Frederik, has been driving an all-electric Tesla Model S for the past few years.

6 King of Malaysia - stretched red Bentley Arnage

The head of state of Malaysia, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or "He Who Became Lord", is a position created in 1957 and the country is one of the few countries in the world to have a constitutional monarchy and an elected government. king.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong travels to official functions and state occasions in one of three cars: a stretched red Bentley Arnage, a blue Bentley Continental Flying Spur, or a black Maybach 62.

In fact, there is a law that states that the Prime Minister of Malaysia and all government officials must travel in Malaysian-made cars, with Proton cars being the most common. The Prime Minister himself travels in a sprawling Proton Perdana on official government business.

5 President of Germany - Mercedes-Benz S-600

For years, German presidents and chancellors have driven Mercedes-Benz S-class cars. German leaders are lucky to be able to support a German car manufacturer that produces some of the most sought-after cars in the world! The current President drives a Mercedes-Benz S-600 and also has an Audi A8 in his fleet, while the current Chancellor Angela Merkel has been known to rotate between different German car manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and even Volkswagen to show wider support for the German automotive industry. Some German leaders have made a very geographic choice when it comes to their official cars: politicians from Bavaria prefer the Munich BMW over the conventional Mercedes-Benz models used by their Berlin counterparts.

4 Emperor of Japan - Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

The current Japanese Emperor and Empress use a custom black Toyota Century Royal as their official vehicle for state visits, imperial ceremonies and events. This unique design cost $500,000, is longer and wider than usual, and includes protective measures to protect Emperor Akihito and his wife Michiko Shoda while they are on official business trips.

The Japanese Imperial Car Collection includes many of the vehicles used to transport previous emperors, including Daimlers, Cadillacs, Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts, and a fleet of five 1935 Packard Eights used by Emperor Hirohito.

The Prime Minister of Japan also uses a Toyota Century for daily business, although his company car is a Lexus LS 600h limousine.

3 Pope Francis - Popemobile

The car most associated with the leader of the Catholic Church is the Popemobile, a modified Mercedes-Benz with a seating area for the Pope surrounded by bulletproof glass.

The current pope prefers not to travel in glazed pope-mobiles, and despite the security risk, he has traveled in a variety of vehicles open to the public, allowing him more contact with his flock.

While the Pope received a $200,000 Lamborghini as a gift from the manufacturer, he decided to sell it to raise money for charity, and he is likely to be seen driving around in a modest Fiat or in the Renault 1984 4 that was given to him in XNUMX. a gift from an Italian priest.

2 Prime Minister of Great Britain - strengthened Jaguar XJ Sentinel

The Prime Minister's Car is the car driven by the current British Prime Minister. Since Margaret Thatcher became prime minister in the late 1970s, prime ministers have used cars from the Jaguar XJ Sentinel range, safety and security measures have been added to the cars. Current Prime Minister Theresa May's official car has a steel plate on the underside of the car, a reinforced body and bulletproof glass, and can also release tear gas if the car is attacked. Former prime ministers are also entitled to a company car, usually another beefed up Jaguar XJ Sentinel, but some, like former prime minister Tony Blair, choose to choose their own model. Blair's official car is the BMW 7 Series.

1 The President of the United States is an armored Cadillac nicknamed "The Beast".

Air Force One may be the most famous mode of transportation for presidents, but there are many cases where the commander-in-chief needs to get around on four wheels instead. President Trump chose to use an armored Cadillac nicknamed "The Beast" as his official presidential vehicle, the same model used by President Obama. Previous presidents have been innovators when it comes to cars. William McKinley became the first president to drive in 1901, and Theodore Roosevelt's White House owned a steam car that followed the president in his horse and carriage. William Howard Taft became the first president to own a company car when he authorized the purchase of four cars in 1911 and created a garage in the White House stables.

Sources: telegraph.co.uk; BusinessInsider.com; dailymail.co.uk theguardian.com