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Autoweek divulges details on Presidential limo

Ever since the latest presidential limousine, also known as The Beast, debuted in 2009, we've wondered what's underneath that black Cadillac body. We already know a few details, like the fact it isn't a Cadillac at all, but a very heavy duty truck chassis from General Motors with a body that resembles a super-sized Caddy. Autoweek, however, has managed to extract new details from veteran Secret Service agents about the closely guarded presidential limo. Their methods, of course, are classified.
Designed to be a rolling office, bunker and escape pod all in one, the current presidential limo is far different from previous presidential state cars, which were heavily modified production vehicles. As we would expect, The Beast uses thick, military-grade body armor (eight inches on the doors), an armored fuel tank, special run-flat tires with Kevlar lining, an encrypted satellite phone, a fully sealed cabin with its own oxygen supply and a trunk full of weapons and medical equipment that includes a supply of the President's blood type (in case the car gets cut off from the ambulance that's always present in the President's motorcade).
The Beast also comes with a Halon fire-suppression system, night vision and is powered by a V8 engine, which we already knew runs on gas and not diesel, that returns an EPA-unfriendly estimated 3.7 miles per gallon. The Secret Service operates a fleet of 12 limos and each Beast costs $1.5 million. Lastly, AW estimates that the 18-foot-long state car weighs 15,000 pounds, and each Secret Service agent that drives the car must be specially trained to maneuver such a massive vehicle.

Cadillac launches ATS-V, CTS-V Crystal White Frost editions

With power and performance enough to challenge the best that Europe and Japan have to offer, buyers in the luxury performance market shouldn't need much more reason to consider a new Cadillac ATS-V or CTS-V. But to make its fastest models that much more enticing, Cadillac is rolling out the new Crystal White Frost editions you see here. Available on the ATS-V coupe, ATS-V sedan, or CTS-V sedan (pictured), the new Crystal White Frost Edition models feature unique matte-finish white paint. They also get special wheels and the Carbon Fiber and Luxury packages as standard. Other equipment like Recaro buckets and microfiber-trimmed control surfaces are also available, among other options. GM's luxury division will only make 99 examples available across the three models – 39 ATS-V coupes, 31 ATS-V sedans, and 29 CTS-V sedans. So if you want to get your hands on one, you may have to act faster than these forced-induction performance machines will muscle their way around the track. Prices start at $71,460 for the smaller sedan and extend up to $94,900 for the larger one – those prices including destination but not taxes, registration, and other fees. For a full rundown of the equipment included and available, scope out the detailed press release below. Related Video: 2016 Cadillac V-Series Crystal White Frost Editions CELEBRATING THE FIRST-EVER CADILLAC ATS-V & THIRD-GENERATION CADILLAC CTS-V 2015-10-16 Cadillac today announced the exclusive Crystal White Frost Edition for all three of its new high-performance V-Series models – the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe and Sedan, and the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan. These new special edition models celebrate the ongoing launch of the first-ever Cadillac ATS-V and the third-generation Cadillac CTS-V super-sedan. They feature a special production run of low-gloss Crystal White Frost exterior paint, which first appeared for the world premiere announcements of the new V-Series models, receiving positive consumer reaction. The edition includes select V-Series wheels and Carbon Fiber and Luxury packages that are options on regular V-Series models. The 2016 Cadillac ATS-V Crystal White Frost Edition sedans start at $71,460 and coupes at $73,660. The 2016 Cadillac CTS-V Crystal White Frost Edition sedans start at $94,990, including destination freight charges but excludes tax, title, license and dealer fees.

A few signs that Cadillac's revival is taking hold

Only a flatworm would not have predicted the Cadillac ATS would help increase sales for America's erstwhile luxury brand of record; however, even the best automotive oracles didn't realize by how much: The ATS fueled a 49-percent increase of the brand's year-on-year sales in March, the sixth straight month of growth for Cadillac. The momentum helped push General Motors to post a 6.4-increase in sales in March versus 2012, leading its domestic competitors.
Dealership salesmen are among the first to register the shift occurring at Cadillac. A Texas dealer related an incident in which he helped a mother affix a baby seat in a car for a test drive, explaining that as opposed to the older buyers that are still a Cadillac mainstay he's getting "a pretty diverse group that's coming through the door now" who are "younger and better educated." Aided by incentives on the ATS, Cadillac's sales are up 38 percent so far this year, overtaking Acura as the fourth best selling luxury brand, and GM stock is benefiting with incremental gains because of it. Based on early response, the new 2014 Cadillac CTS should keep things going in the same direction.
The trend at the Wreath and Crest is part of a larger sales trend happening among domestics - with other models like the Dodge Dart and Ford Fusion doing well - and overall US car sales. Head over to Bloomberg for the big picture and role the ATS plays in it.