The Prime Ministerial Car refers to a number of British manufactured vehicles used by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The vehicles currently used are armoured, custom built Jaguar XJ Sentinel supercharged 5.0 litre V8 models.
Prime Ministerial and ministerial limousines are operated and administered by the Government Cars Agency, an executive agency of the Department for Transport, and stored and maintained at 10 Downing Street. The cars are driven by specially trained UKSF close protection drivers, and are escorted by unmarked Range Rovers and Protection Command officers.
The current model fleet was first seen in use on 13 May 2010, when newly appointed Prime Minister David Cameron arrived at 10 Downing Street. On 12 August 2011, one of the fleet was damaged when its driver dented the car on a high kerb in Salford, although the car was able to be driven away.
Video Prime Ministerial Car
General specifications
Many details are classified, but the current Jaguar models are estimated to have cost up to £300,000. They feature a number of security features, including a 13 mm explosive resistant steel plate underneath the body, titanium and Kevlar lined cabins, armoured windows with bullet resistant polycarbonate toughened glass, run flat tyres and 'gun ports' to enable bodyguards to return fire at any attackers.
The cars are also equipped with an independent, self-contained oxygen supply to protect the Prime Minister and other passengers against chemical or biological attack. The vehicle can also release tear gas and other crowd dispersants.
The car features state of the art communication and conferencing systems, high definition televisions, night vision, as well as adjustable, heated and cooled rear massage seats, and a Bowers & Wilkins 1200 watt, twenty speaker Dolby 7.1 surround sound system.
The vehicle used to be classed as B7 level but under the new system is classed as VPAM9 and is understood to be capable of withstanding the blast of 15 kg equivalent TNT, and sustained attack by a variety of other armour piercing weapons.
The car has a 5.0 litre supercharged petrol engine producing 503 bhp, with a top speed of 121 miles per hour (195 km/h), and is capable of reaching 62 miles per hour (100 km/h) from stationary in 9.4 seconds, slower than the original due to the substantially greater weight of the vehicle.
Maps Prime Ministerial Car
See also
- Official state car
- Bentley State Limousine, the car used by Queen Elizabeth II
- Government of the United Kingdom
- Air transports of heads of state and government
References
Source of article : Wikipedia
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