Who has the biggest BEAST? Biden is given a tour of Xi’s presidential limo after their superpower summit and calls it a ‘beautiful car’
President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping compared presidential vehicles after their meeting on Wednesday, with the US leader complimenting his counterpart’s customized car and pointing to his own armored “Beast.”
The two men left Filoli Historic House after their four-hour meeting. Biden escorted Xi to his waiting vehicle. Both leaders brought their own presidential limousines to San Francisco for the APEC summit.
The Chinese president drives around in a specially designed Hongqi, codenamed N701 and called ‘Red Flag’. It costs at least $700,000 and is equipped with anti-missile armor plates, thick bulletproof windows and systems to protect against biological and chemical weapons.
President Biden drives around in a 10-ton Cadillac nicknamed the “Beast,” which is worth $1.5 million and has night vision cameras, tear gas cannons and eight inches of armor.
President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping compared presidential vehicles after their meeting
Biden, a car guy who loves motorized vehicles, peered into Xi’s customized ride, according to a video posted on CCTV.
He told the Chinese leader: “It is a beautiful vehicle.”
“This is our Hongqi sedan, homemade,” Xi said through a translator. He opened the car door and told Biden ‘look.’
The president stuck his head in and said, “It looks like that Cadillac we have over there.”
He pointed to his own presidential limousine off to the side and said, “International meetings, they fly them with me. Do you know what they call that car?’
“They’re called ‘The Beast,'” Biden said, adding, “thank you.”
He and Xi shook hands and the Chinese leader said to him, “See you tomorrow.”
President Biden Takes a Look Inside President Xi’s Custom Car Known as ‘Red Flag’
Xi shows Biden his specially designed Hongqi
Biden in turn pointed out to Xi his car ‘The Beast’
The two leaders met outside San Francisco on Wednesday for their first in-person meeting in a year before attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit downtown on Thursday.
Hongqi translates to Red Flag in English and it is a subsidiary of car manufacturer FAW Car Co, the oldest car manufacturer in China.
It was founded in 1959 with the main purpose of manufacturing vehicles for high-ranking government officials.
President Xi’s N701, which has been modified from the Hongqi L5, is described as China’s version of the Rolls-Royce Phanton, but more exclusive, expensive and more imposing.
The luxury sedan is 5.5 meters long, weighs at least 3.1 tons and is powered by a six-liter V12 turbo engine that produces 408 hp.
It has been heavily customized to protect the Chinese president and comes with a host of special features.
Although many of the specifications are state secret, the car features missile armor plates to withstand heavy fire and direct impact from bombs.
It also has massive 21-inch rubber wheels that are bulletproof, systems to protect against chemical and biological weapons, and thick reinforced bulletproof glass.
The official state car, which debuted during President Xi’s visit to Hong Kong on July 1, 2022, can reach speeds of at least 210 kilometers per hour.
The front of the N701 also features Hongqi’s famous red flag motif stretching across the hood and two small flag holders on the fenders. Hongqi will only build fifty models in the next ten years.
First produced in 2014, the L5 is known as the most expensive Chinese-made car ever available at $700,000.
Xi’s specially designed Hongqi, codenamed N701, will cost at least $700,000 and is equipped with anti-missile armor plates, thick bulletproof windows and systems to protect against biological and chemical weapons
But the Chinese vehicle is dwarfed by President Biden’s 10-ton Cadillac, which is worth $1.5 million and has night vision cameras, tear gas cannons and eight inches of armor.
President Joe Biden in The Beast is driven through San Francisco
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in his ‘red flag’ car for his meeting with President Biden
But the N701 pales in comparison to President Biden’s Beast.
The doors of his vehicle weigh as much as those of a Boeing 757 aircraft and the tires are pneumatic run-flats, so the vehicle can still move even when the tires are deflated.
The US President can also use an advanced communications system built into the Beast, which weighs approximately 20,000 pounds.
There is also a safe oxygen system and a supply of the president’s blood in case of emergency.
The Beast is built to withstand chemical and biological attacks, as well as bullets and explosions, and its chassis is said to be essentially ‘indestructible’.
The windows are said to be three inches thick, while the steel and ceramic armor is eight inches thick.
In the rear compartment of the car, the president and up to four passengers are separated from the driver by a glass partition.
The president is the only one who can lower the dividing wall at the push of a button.
While many of the Beast’s features remain top secret, the trunk is also equipped with a fire suppression system, tear and smoke screens.
In the back seat is a satellite phone with a direct line to Vice President Kamala Harris and the Pentagon.
And the Beast’s fuel tank is armored and filled with special foam that prevents it from exploding even from a direct hit.
Developed by General Motors, the car’s chassis is made of steel, while the car’s body is a combination of steel, aluminum, titanium and ceramic.