The Department of Homeland Security began the process of commissioning a new presidential limousine in 2013, and now a camouflaged prototype of the next generation machine has been spotted for the first time.
Although the current vehicle is designed to look like a Cadillac sedan, it is understood to be a heavily armoured machine built on a medium duty diesel-powered truck chassis, but its detailed specifications remain a national secret, the Fox News reported.
Public records indicate that General Motors (GM) has been awarded three contracts for the project.
President Obama, talking about his car, recently told comedian Jerry Seinfeld that it is "a Caddy, basically on a tank frame". Its nickname is 'The Beast'.
The US Secret Service reportedly maintains a fleet of 12 identical limousines that are used in Washington DC, and transported around the world to support the President's activities.
The new car will likely make its public debut on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2017.
