I don't think there really are any vehicles designed specifically for that kind of thing these days. If a President or Head of State does require a formal State limousine, they are usually either modified production cars, or the usual S class, 7 series, A8. etc.

For example, Queen Elizabeth II of England uses old Daimlers, Rolls-Royce Phantom VIs, and of course her specially-built Bentley Limousine. Prince Charles uses an A8 and A6, but on formal occasions he has his old Bentley Turbo R. The Swedish Royal family use Saabs. The Japanese Royal family use Toyota Centuries. President Bush has his purpose-built armoured Cadillac. Prime Minister Blair uses an armoured Daimler Super Eight. President Chirac uses Peugeot 607s, Chancellor Merkel uses Audi A8s and Mercedes S class'.

On very formal occasions however, like a royal wedding or state visit, the classic old limos are often used.

The Daimler DS420.


Rolls-Royce Phantom IV (The noblest of all Rolls-Royces ever made). The Dutch Royal family use theirs on very special occasions.


Phantom VI


Mercedes-Benz 600 -- even Kim Jung Il has one.

Here is the Toyota Century used by Japan's Royal family. This is the most prestigeous and formal Japanese limousine.

It looks like a Rolls Royce Phantom.

^^
It has just about the same shape as the Phantom. Any interior pictures?

Finnish Presidential Mercedes, an armoured S600:


Its predecessor was a W140, but the one before that was something of a bit more unusual choice in Europe:

Now available for rent...

Thanks Rob.

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko decided to replace their 30 year old "Nissan Prince Royal," with a new ride: a customized Toyota eight-seater limousine with a 5.0 V12 engine, that costs a mere 52.5 million yen (455.000 USD).

Inside, the Century Royal features granite stone in the steps, wool fabric for its seats and Japanese hand-crafted paper for the lighting systems on the ceiling. Officials report that the Imperial Couple will begin using their limousine in Aug. 15, when they will attend a memorial ceremony for the war dead in Tokyo.

The Century Royal, Toyota's most luxurious model, is produced in limited numbers mainly for corporate executives and government leaders, and there are no plans to sell the special imperial version to the public.

That's no problem M77


Thank you for your contribution MikeJ, that old Caddy must have been an unusual sight in Finland, it does make a bold statement though.

Nice thread Rob, thanks for all the interesting information too. And thanks to MikeJ too for the pics he posted. In the 60's and the early 70's all the government official vehicles that I ever saw in Finland were some American model car similar to the Caddy MikeJ posted.

I remember seeing the state president of South Africa, Mr. Diederichs, been driven in a Mercedes 600 Pullman Landaulet - looking car at what I seem to remember was his inaugural parade up and down Adderley Street in Cape Town at the beginning of 1975. The car looked something like the picture in one of Rob's earlier posts and this:

Roberto is correct. The world is an entirely different place than it was when Rolls Royce was in its heyday. BMW has been very keen to play upon our prejudices and long-held beliefs about this Marque to turn it into something that's viable for the 21st centry.

Rolls Royce is now an anachronism, and the brand trades heavily upon that. It's the last brand standing to carry the flame of old-world craftsmanship and implied elitist values, but at the same time, everybody involved is very cognizant of this.

We like to imagine that the Phantom is a car for aristocracy, but nothing could be further from the truth. However, because the brand's pedigree is without peer, there is room to pour it on thick and snooty without looking the fool.