From Bentleys to Maseratis – EU Head of states and the cars they drive
By in
We’re hearing a lot in the news about ‘Europe’, ‘Brussels’ and the EU at the moment. Should we stay, should we leave? Well, we’re not going to get involved. We’ll leave all that to the politicians. What we’re interested in, rather unsurprisingly, is cars. So, instead of judging the arguments of both sides of the debate, we’re just going to judge the cars of each head of state. At least, in those countries that have taken sovereignty seriously and picked a car built in their homeland.
Her Majesty the Queen’s State Limousine
The Queen’s luxury Bentley. (Image: S. Foskett)
One is driven around in a frightfully spiffing 2002 bespoke Bentley Limousine. Delightful. This car wasn’t built. It was crafted, hand-crafted as a gift for ‘Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas Queen, Defender of the Faith’. This car’s elegance, grace and all-round modesty is perfectly suited to Her Majesty’s subtle and understated title.
It has a uniqueness, history and heritage that many of the other country’s cars on the list simply can’t match. Designed to be a ‘panoramic glasshouse’, so the Queen’s adoring public can catch a glimpse of the great monarch as she passes through the crowds, surveying her devoted subjects, it’s a car designed specifically to match the strange and baffling quirks of the Great British public. To protect the monarch, Bentley’s in-house coach-builders, Mulliner, put measures in place to safeguard Her Britannic Majesty in a way ‘no other car could’. How reassuringly splendid.
France Citroen C6
The car of the French head of state definitely lacks that little bit of ‘va va voom’. (Image: David Crochet)
The French state limousine is, drum-roll, quite French. But, with gritted teeth and a slightly phony smile, let’s be honest – that’s never actually been a bad thing. Indeed, there’s something peculiar, unique and idiosyncratic about this bizarrely conceived Citroen. With its ‘Avante Garde’ styling – long bonnet, gracious curves and concave rear windows, it’s a car that takes stylistic cues from the groundbreaking Citroen DS. However, as this was a car thats commercial intention was to break the dominance of the ‘Big German 3’, Citroen pushed the boundaries in terms of luxury. Touches fit for ‘Le President de la Republique’ include ‘Hydractive’ 3+ suspension and ‘Exclusive’ trim, allowing the French head of state to arrive at European gatherings in style and comfort.
For any state car, while luxury is important, even more important is safety. That’s something taken very seriously with this presidential Citroen. Obviously, as you can well imagine, it’s armored to the hilt. It’s also a car that achieved the title of ‘the safest car in Europe’ for 5 years of its production run. So it’s safe, stylish and unique. But, when all’s said and done, it’s still a Citroen. Great for affordable family motoring, but maybe not befitting of head of state. Even if he is a ‘man of the people’.
Germany Mercedes S600L
Angie, the German head of state, enjoys travelling sublime S-Class luxury. (Image: M93)
The Germans make the head-of-state car of choice, so it would be slightly strange if ‘Angie’ wasn’t driven around in one. Firstly, let’s get those German cliches out of the way. It’s highly efficient. It’s extremely sophisticated. And yes, there’s something slightly cold about the S600L- it hasn’t got the heritage of the Bentley or the personality of the Citroen. But, much like the German football team, it is a world beater.
The S600L is a luxury, limousine version of the Mercedes S Class. And, while the S Class is already a seriously impressive, cutting-edge luxury saloon – the hi-spec, hi-tech S600L is on a completely different level. With a longer wheel base, adaptive air suspension and ‘Active Body Control’ there are few cars, besides undemocratically expensive alternatives like a Rolls or a Maybach, that offer such a refined, comfortable ride. The interior offers as much space as anyone could possibly need and seats that would feel more than at home in any normal folks living room. Angie, you can say you’re satisfied.
Italy Maserati Quattroporte
Silvio Belursconi, the former Italian head of state, blew the finances on dubious parties and a fleet of Maseratis. (Image: Brian Snelson)
You can say what you like about Silvio Belursconi. And, whether you love or loathe the former Italian premier, there’s certainly one thing that’s completely indisputable. The man had taste in cars. It must also be said that the decision to purchase 19 beefed-up, top of the range Maserati Quattroportes when the country was struggling to repay its (120% of GDP) national debt and the man in question was facing numerous scandals was, certainly, errrrrrm, brave.
At well over £150,000 a piece, these cars didn’t come cheap. However, let’s be frank. It’s unlikely to be the most outrageous claim that Silvio has ever made on the public purse. And, we’ve got to admit, while the citizens of Italy may have preferred improved schools, hospitals and public services, from a motor-obsessive perspective, it wasn’t a bad shout. These armor-plated, souped-up, super-saloons’ 4.7 litre engines pack 434hp and do 0-100km in just 5.1 seconds. That’s what we call Forza Italia.
Sweden Volve S80 – Stretched
The Swedes just want to keep their head of state safe.(Image: MB-one)
Sweden has kept it’s choice pretty Swedish. At least, Swedishish. Volvo, the company behind the S80 stretched limousine was recently bought out by Chinese company, Geely. However, this clearly had no impact on the decision of the Royal Court to lease an astonishing 85 of these elongated Volvos. It’s a very patriotic move, because, although the S80 is one of the safest, most efficient luxury saloons that’s currently available, it lacks credentials in almost every area to match up to the all-round greatness of either the Mercedes S Class or the BMW 7-Series.
Safety, however, is one of the key considerations when it comes to keeping a head of state secure. And, like any state limo, the Swedes have done everything they can to keep their monarch out of harm’s way. The tailor-made S80-stretch has seriously heavy-duty armor plating, installed by Czech specialists SVOS. So, should anybody want to take on this historically peaceful nation, they’ve got a fight on their hands getting to their king.
Czech Republic Skoda Superb
The Czech’s have made a Superb choice when it comes to how their head of state gets around. (Image: Miloslav Rejha)
For Czech republic, it’s a Skoda. Honest. Not just any Skoda, a Superb. Like the French, the Czech’s have kept things pretty basic when it comes to their head of state’s way of getting around. There’s no fleet of 19 supercharged saloons for them. Just a reliable, dependable Skoda. While the Superb may not be the most glamorous car on the list, it is definitely the best most glamorous Skoda.
And, when all’s said and done, the Superb really does live up to its name. It’s all about providing the S-Class standard at a Ford Mondeo price. Coming with a ridiculously palatial interior (fit for any monarch), class-leading handling and a serene chauffeured experience that’s as silent as the aftermath of a Michael Mcintyre punchline, this is common-sense executive transportation at its European best. Classy common-sense, however, the Superb includes an umbrella holder complete with bespoke umbrella – a sophisticated touch that is only equaled in a Rolls Royce Phantom. Who says it’s only the Brits, Germans and Italians that can do outstanding luxury motoring?
