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This week, a jet-black, state-of-the-art
Cadillac DTS limousine will roll through the nation's capital
during the Presidential Inaugural Parade revealing publicly for
the first time the new design direction for the 2006 Cadillac
DTS production model with Cadillac's signature egg-crate grille,
jewel-like vertically oriented high-intensity xenon headlamps
and state-of-the-art LED tail lamps.
George W. Bush, the President of the United States of America
will be the first to travel in the new Cadillac DTS limousine
during the parade route along Pennsylvania Avenue on Thursday,
Jan. 20. The sight of the president waving from a Cadillac has
become an American tradition.
With a new design and unique construction under the skin, the
new Cadillac DTS limousine is handcrafted and dressed in a
jet-black clearcoat finish. The vehicle is a considerably
longer, wider and taller version of the production model that
becomes available later this year. To maintain national
security, the limousines are equipped with state-of-the-art
protection and communication systems.
The vehicle interior boasts six-passenger seating with comfort
and visibility for all occupants. A rear seat executive package
features a concealed, foldaway desktop that can be deployed when
conducting affairs of state. The rear seats have an adjustable
reclining feature along with the adaptive seat system, which
senses the position of the occupant in the seat and
automatically adjusts the cushion for added comfort. Moreover,
rear seat passengers can enjoy their own premium sound system
complete with a 10-disc CD changer. Wood accents, rich blue
leather and cloth complete the executive interior.
An embroidered presidential seal is positioned in the center of
the rear seat back panel, as well as on each rear door trim
panel. Presidential seals are also affixed to the exterior rear
doors. The U.S. flag is placed on the right front fender, and
the presidential standard is located on the left front fender
when the president travels in the vehicle. Flush-mounted High
Intensity Discharged (HID) spotlights illuminate the flags at
night.
The 2006 Cadillac DTS production model is set to make its first
public appearance at the Chicago Auto Show in early February.
"It is a great honor for Cadillac and General Motors to be
associated with the highest office of the United States," says
Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor. "In fact, Cadillac has been
building limousines and special vehicles for U.S. presidents,
diplomats, ambassadors and foreign dignitaries since the early
1900s."
One of the first chief executives to ride in a Cadillac was
President Woodrow Wilson, who rode through the streets of Boston
during a World War I victory parade. A lavish 1928 Cadillac town
car was used extensively throughout the Coolidge Administration.
In 1938, two Cadillac convertibles dubbed the "Queen Mary" and
"Queen Elizabeth" were delivered to the U.S. Government. Named
after the great ocean liners of the time, the 211/2 feet, 7,660
pound vehicles were equipped with a full ammunition arsenal, two
way radios, and heavy duty generators. Durable and reliable, the
two "Queens" served Presidents Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower.
President Eisenhower, who was known as a "car buff," had ridden
in one of the first Eldorados during the1953 Inauguration Day
Parade. The vehicle was unique as it had the first wrap around
windshield, which quickly became a standard in domestic and
foreign automobiles.
In 1956, the Queen Mary II and Queen Elizabeth II convertibles
replaced the original series. The vehicles were 21 feet long and
weighed 7,000 pounds. Like their predecessors, these vehicles
were fully armored with state-of-the art communications at that
time. Moreover, the vehicles were fitted with narrow rims inside
the tire in case the tires were shot out. The Queen Mary II and
Queen Elizabeth II served not only President Eisenhower, but
also Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Both vehicles were retired
in 1968.
The Reagan administration was delivered a 1983 Cadillac
Fleetwood limousine while a Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham -
Presidential Series was delivered to the Clinton Administration
in 1993. Unlike previous models, the Presidential Brougham was
designed, developed and manufactured totally within General
Motors. Moreover, the vehicle was designed to provide
unquestionable protection. Minimizing exposure to external
threats, no sunroof or running boards were installed on the
vehicle.
Currently, the 1983 Cadillac Fleetwood limousine resides at the
Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley,
Calif. while the 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham is located at
the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Ark.
The predecessor to the current limousine was the 2001 Cadillac
DeVille limousine. It was the first Cadillac to be adorned with
the division's current wreath and crest emblem. The vehicle is
still in service today.
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