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Cadillac One: Obama's new wheels

At next week's inauguration, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. will not only have a new resident, but also a new set of wheels in the driveway.

Antuan Goodwin Reviews Editor / Cars
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Expertise Reviewing cars and car technology since 2008 focusing on electrification, driver assistance and infotainment Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
Antuan Goodwin
2 min read

Cadillac One, Presidential Limousine
Cadillac/GM

At next week's inauguration, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. will not only have a new resident, but also a new set of wheels in the driveway. President Barack Obama will ride in an all-new Cadillac Presidential Limousine, dubbed Cadillac One.

Cadillac One, Presidential Limousine
The new presidential limo carries CTS and Escalade design cues. Cadillac/GM

Inside and out, the Cadillac Presidential Limousine includes many of the brand's signature design elements, such as the dual-textured grille and the dinner plate-sized Cadillac coat-of-arms badge that are the hallmarks of the CTS sport sedan and Escalade. Vertically oriented head- and taillights mirror those used on production models. Compared with the outgoing Cadillac-supplied Presidential Limo, Cadillac One is slightly more upright, though both vehicles occupy roughly the same overall footprint on the road, with a similar size and proportion.

The car was designed, developed, and tested by specialists who adhered to an extensive set of specifications. It was subjected to an extreme testing regimen to ensure performance that achieves precise functional requirements. In doing so, security provisions were undertaken at all times during development to ensure the car's functional capabilities are preserved and confidential. Translation: GM and the Secret Service aren't telling us anything about the power train, safety features, or cabin tech.

GMC Topkick Commercial Truck
Could Cadillac One be based on the behemoth GMC Topkick platform? GM Insider

If Internet speculation is to be believed, Cadillac One may actually be based on the GMC Topkick commercial truck platform and likely layers on some serious security/safety tech. When we looked at the Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard, we got a peek into just how much tech (and weight) goes into making an armored limousine. We can expect Cadillac One to be similarly equipped, with a honking big engine for hauling armor-plated ass when necessary. Since we're already speculating Topkick platform, let's go ahead and assume the gasoline-powered Vortec 8.1-liter V-8 or the Duramax 6.6-liter turbo diesel V-8 will also be making an appearance.

Then again, this is President Obama we're talking about, so maybe it's a hybrid?