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{{About|the car used by the Prime Minister of Australia|the British equivalent|Prime Ministerial Car}}
{{About|the car used by the Prime Minister of Australia|the British equivalent|Prime Ministerial Car}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2011}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2011}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2011}}


{{Infobox automobile
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Prime Ministerial Limousine{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}
| name = Prime Ministerial Limousine
| image = BMW 7er M-Sportpaket (F01) – Frontansicht, 7. Mai 2011, Düsseldorf.jpg
| image = Redcliffe Coast Guard visit by Prime Minister-2 (cropped).jpg
| caption = A similar [[BMW 7 Series (F01)|BMW 7 Series]] (not the specific car used as the Prime Ministerial Limousine)
| caption = The Prime Ministerial Limousine in 2017
| type = [[BMW 7 Series (F01)|BMW 7 Series]]
| manufacturer = [[BMW]]
| manufacturer = [[BMW]]
| aka = C1 (Commonwealth One)
| aka = C1 (Commonwealth One)
Line 16: Line 16:
| successor =
| successor =
| class = [[Full-size]] [[luxury car]] ([[F-segment|F]])
| class = [[Full-size]] [[luxury car]] ([[F-segment|F]])
| body_style = 4-door [[sedan (car)|sedan]]
| body_style = 4-door [[Sedan (automobile)|sedan]]
| layout =
| layout =
| platform = [[BMW 7 Series (F01)|BMW 7 Series]]
| platform =
| engine =
| engine =
| transmission =
| transmission =
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| related =
| related =
| designer =
| designer =
| sp = us
| sp = uk
}}
}}


The '''Prime Ministerial Limousine''' is the [[official state car]] used by the [[Prime Minister of Australia]]. The current vehicle is a [[BMW 7 Series (F01)|BMW 7 Series]]. The prime ministerial and other ministerial limousines are maintained by [[COMCAR]], a subdivision of the [[Department of Finance and Administration (Australia)|Department of Finance]]. The vehicle is often referred to in the media and the community as "C1", which is the numberplate that the car displays. The [[Australian flag]] is centrally mounted on the bonnet of the vehicle.
The '''Prime Ministerial Limousine''' is the [[official state car]] used by the [[prime minister of Australia]]. The current vehicle is a white [[BMW 7 Series (F01)|BMW 7 Series]]. The prime ministerial and other ministerial limousines are maintained by [[COMCAR]], a subdivision of the [[Department of Finance and Administration (Australia)|Department of Finance]]. The vehicle is often referred to in the media and the community as "C1", which is the number plate that the car displays (meaning "Commonwealth 1"). The [[Flag of Australia|Australian flag]] is centrally mounted on the bonnet of the vehicle.


Prime ministerial vehicles are transported and used wherever the prime minister travels. The vehicle is stored at Parliament House, the Lodge, Kirribilli House or an allocated COMCAR facility. While COMCAR administers the vehicles, they are driven by [[Australian Federal Police]] officers. [[Tony Abbott]] was the first prime minister to use the BMW [[BMW 7 Series (F01)|7 Series]]. The past model of prime ministerial limousine, the [[Holden Caprice]], was first used by [[Bob Hawke]].
Prime ministerial vehicles are transported and used wherever the prime minister travels. The vehicle is stored at Parliament House, the Lodge, Kirribilli House or an allocated COMCAR facility. While COMCAR administers the vehicles, they are driven by [[Australian Federal Police]] officers. [[Tony Abbott]] was the first prime minister to use the BMW [[BMW 7 Series (F01)|7 Series]]. The past model of prime ministerial limousine, the [[Holden Caprice]], was first used by [[Bob Hawke]], replacing the [[Ford LTD (Australia)|Ford LTD]]s that had been used in the 1980s.


==Current vehicle==
==Current vehicle==
The prime ministerial fleet was updated in 2014, replacing the Holden Caprice fleet with a suite of armoured BMW [[BMW 7 Series (F01)|7 Series]] models. The $6.3 million (AUD) fleet of BMW 7 Series were purchased initially by the Australian Government to protect visiting dignitaries for the 2014 G20 summit in Brisbane, and were later commissioned as the official prime ministerial fleet.<ref>{{cite news|title = Tony Abbott's New $500,000 Armoured Ride Can Stop AK-47 Rounds And Deter Bomb Blasts|first = Peter|last = Terlato|date = 15 January 2015|url = http://www.businessinsider.com.au/tony-abbotts-new-500000-armoured-ride-can-stop-ak-47-rounds-and-deter-bomb-blasts-2015-1|accessdate = 28 August 2018|work = [[Business Insider Australia]]}}</ref> The limousine, manufactured in Germany, has undergone extensive mechanical and protection-based modifications including armour and bulletproofing.<ref>{{cite news|title = PM snubs Holden to buy $6.2m fleet of BMWs that can withstand terror attacks|first = Samantha|last = Maiden|authorlink = Samantha Maiden|newspaper = [[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|date = 30 August 2014|url = http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/pm-snubs-holden-to-buy-62m-fleet-of-bmws-that-can-withstand-terror-attacks/story-fni0cx4q-1227042363352|accessdate = 28 August 2018}}</ref> The prime ministerial state car and a supporting armoured BMW X5 is administered by COMCAR, a division of the [[Department of Finance (Australia)|Australian Government's Department of Finance]], and driven by trained officers of the Australian Federal Police.<ref>{{cite book|year = 2017|author = Australian Department of Finance|authorlink = Department of Finance (Australia)|url = http://www.maps.finance.gov.au/entitlements_handbooks/ministers-of-state/Part_Four_Travel_-_4.4_Car_Transport.asp|publisher = [[Government of Australia]]|chapter = Part Four Travel &ndash; 4.4 Car Transport|title = Ministers of State Entitlements (current to 31 December 2017)|accessdate = 28 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|date = 1 January 2018|author = Ministerial and Parliamentary Services, [[Department of Finance (Australia)|Department of Finance]]|publisher = [[Government of Australia]]|url = https://maps.finance.gov.au/Guidance/Other_Work_Expenses/COMCAR|chapter = COMCAR|title = Guidance to Senators and Members on the resources provided to them as a Parliamentarian|accessdate = 28 August 2018}}</ref>
The prime ministerial fleet was updated in 2014, replacing the Holden Caprice fleet with a suite of armoured BMW [[BMW 7 Series (F01)#High Security (F03)|7 Series High Security (F03)]] models. The $6.3 million (AUD) fleet of BMW 7 Series were purchased initially by the Australian Government to protect visiting dignitaries for the 2014 G20 summit in Brisbane, and were later commissioned as the official prime ministerial fleet.<ref>{{cite news|title = Tony Abbott's New $500,000 Armoured Ride Can Stop AK-47 Rounds And Deter Bomb Blasts|first = Peter|last = Terlato|date = 15 January 2015|url = http://www.businessinsider.com.au/tony-abbotts-new-500000-armoured-ride-can-stop-ak-47-rounds-and-deter-bomb-blasts-2015-1|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150121011227/http://www.businessinsider.com.au/tony-abbotts-new-500000-armoured-ride-can-stop-ak-47-rounds-and-deter-bomb-blasts-2015-1|url-status = dead|archive-date = 21 January 2015|accessdate = 28 August 2018|work = [[Business Insider Australia]]}}</ref> The limousine, manufactured in Germany, has undergone extensive mechanical and protection-based modifications including armour and bulletproofing.<ref>{{cite news|title = PM snubs Holden to buy $6.2m fleet of BMWs that can withstand terror attacks|first = Samantha|last = Maiden|authorlink = Samantha Maiden|newspaper = [[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|date = 30 August 2014|url = http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/pm-snubs-holden-to-buy-62m-fleet-of-bmws-that-can-withstand-terror-attacks/story-fni0cx4q-1227042363352|accessdate = 28 August 2018}}</ref> The prime ministerial state car and a supporting armoured [[BMW X5]] is administered by COMCAR, a division of the [[Department of Finance (Australia)|Australian Government's Department of Finance]], and driven by trained officers of the Australian Federal Police.<ref>{{cite book|year = 2017|author = Australian Department of Finance|authorlink = Department of Finance (Australia)|url = http://www.maps.finance.gov.au/entitlements_handbooks/ministers-of-state/Part_Four_Travel_-_4.4_Car_Transport.asp|publisher = [[Government of Australia]]|chapter = Part Four Travel &ndash; 4.4 Car Transport|title = Ministers of State Entitlements (current to 31 December 2017)|accessdate = 28 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|date = 1 January 2018|author = Ministerial and Parliamentary Services, [[Department of Finance (Australia)|Department of Finance]]|publisher = [[Government of Australia]]|url = https://maps.finance.gov.au/Guidance/Other_Work_Expenses/COMCAR|chapter = COMCAR|title = Guidance to Senators and Members on the resources provided to them as a Parliamentarian|accessdate = 28 August 2018}}</ref>


===Protection specifications===
===Protection specifications===
The vehicle has the same visual appearance as a regular BMW [[BMW 7 Series (F01)|7 Series]], however, it has been subject to extensive modifications. The limousine has been fitted with bullet-proofed doors, windows as well as armour on the floor of the vehicle. On top of this, the vehicle has a protected fuel tank that does not explode when damaged and can withstand a roadside bomb. The [[Commercial off-the-shelf|off-the-shelf]] replacements for the older [[Holden Caprice]] vehicles offer greater protection and better value for money.<ref>{{cite news|last = Benson|first = Simon|title = Bomb-proof BMWs will replace the Prime Minister's Holden fleet of limousines|url = http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/bombproof-bmws-will-replace-the-prime-ministers-holden-fleet-of-limousines/story-fni0xqrc-1226780185117|newspaper = [[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|location = Australia|accessdate = 11 December 2013|date = 11 December 2013}}</ref> A [[BAE Systems|BAE]] and GM-Holden [[Consortium]] also unsuccessfully bid for the contract.<ref>{{cite news|title = Holden angered by media reports it did not submit bid to supply 'blast-proof' vehicles for Australian government VIPs|last = Kenny|first = Mark|authorlink = Mark Kenny (journalist)|date = 13 December 2013|url = http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/holden-angered-by-media-reports-it-did-not-submit-bid-to-supply-blastproof-vehicles-for-australian-government-vips-20131212-2zaai.html|newspaper = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|accessdate = 28 August 2018}}</ref>
The vehicle has the same visual appearance as a regular BMW 7 Series. However, it has been subject to extensive modifications. The limousine has been fitted with bullet-proofed doors and windows, as well as armour on the floor of the vehicle. On top of this, the vehicle has a protected fuel tank that does not explode when damaged and can withstand a roadside bomb. The [[Commercial off-the-shelf|off-the-shelf]] replacements for the older [[Holden Caprice]] vehicles offered greater protection and better value for money.<ref>{{cite news |last=Benson |first=Simon |date=11 December 2013 |title=Bomb-proof BMWs will replace the Prime Minister's Holden fleet of limousines |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/companies/bombproof-bmws-will-replace-the-prime-ministers-holden-fleet-of-limousines/news-story/296d101d8e6efc87e3602f61772fb242 |accessdate=11 December 2013 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]] |location=Australia}}</ref> A [[BAE Systems|BAE]] and GM-Holden [[consortium]] also unsuccessfully bid for the contract.<ref>{{cite news|title = Holden angered by media reports it did not submit bid to supply 'blast-proof' vehicles for Australian government VIPs|last = Kenny|first = Mark|authorlink = Mark Kenny (journalist)|date = 13 December 2013|url = http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/holden-angered-by-media-reports-it-did-not-submit-bid-to-supply-blastproof-vehicles-for-australian-government-vips-20131212-2zaai.html|newspaper = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|accessdate = 28 August 2018}}</ref>


==Previous prime ministerial limousines==
==Previous prime ministerial limousines==
*[[Holden Caprice]]
*[[Holden Caprice]]
*[[Ford LTD (Australia)]]
*[[Mercedes-Benz W116|Mercedes-Benz 450SEL]]
*[[Bentley S3]]


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery class="center">
<gallery class="center">
File:Prime Minister Rudd vehicle 1.jpg|[[Holden Caprice]] of Prime Minister [[Kevin Rudd]], April 2008.
File:Howard-Holden.jpg|[[Holden Caprice]] of the prime minister, May 2007
File:Prime Minister Rudd vehicle 2.jpg|[[Australian Federal Police]] escort vehicle to the left of the Holden Caprice.
File:Prime Minister Rudd vehicle 1.jpg|The prime ministerial Holden Caprice, April 2008
File:Prime Mininster Rudd vehicle 3.jpg|The prime ministerial Holden Caprice is on the left.
File:Prime Minister Rudd vehicle 2.jpg|[[Australian Federal Police]] escort vehicle to the left of the Holden Caprice
File:Redcliffe Coast Guard visit by Prime Minister-2 (32209118122).jpg|[[BMW 7 Series (F01)|BMW 7 Series]] with a BMW escort vehicle, January 2017
File:Prime Ministerial Limousine (Australia), Petersham, NSW.jpg|Rear view of the BMW 7 Series, August 2022
File:Prime Ministerial Limousine (Australia), Petersham, NSW (cropped).jpg|The vehicle's number plate (C1)
</gallery>
</gallery>


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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Automobiles of heads of government of Australia}}
{{Commons category|Automobiles of heads of government of Australia}}
*[https://archive.is/20060827211245/http://www.finance.gov.au/AboutUs/comcar.html COMCAR]
*[https://www.directory.gov.au/portfolios/finance/department-finance/comcar COMCAR website]
*[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,16166998-2702,00.html Rocky road for PM's fleet of limos] - ''[[The Australian]]'', 6 August 2005.
*[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,16166998-2702,00.html Rocky road for PM's fleet of limos] – ''[[The Australian]]'', 6 August 2005
*[http://www.news.com.au/national/julia-gillards-clunker-limo-has-windows-that-wont-wind-down/story-fncynjr2-1226593922178] - ''[[News.com.au]]'', 10 March 2013.
*[http://www.news.com.au/national/julia-gillards-clunker-limo-has-windows-that-wont-wind-down/story-fncynjr2-1226593922178 Julia Gillard's clunker limo has windows that won't wind down] – ''[[News.com.au]]'', 10 March 2013
*[https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/five-australian-prime-ministerial-cars-through-history-125475/ Five Australian Prime Ministerial cars through history] – ''carsales.com.au'', 5 August 2020
* [http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/modeloverview?modelid=8000 Holden Caprice]


[[Category:Prime Minister of Australia]]
[[Category:Prime Minister of Australia]]
[[Category:Road transport of heads of state]]
[[Category:Official state cars]]
[[Category:Cars of Australia]]
[[Category:Cars of Australia]]

Latest revision as of 02:28, 6 November 2024

This article is about the car used by the Prime Minister of Australia. For the British equivalent, see Prime Ministerial Car.

Prime Ministerial Limousine
The Prime Ministerial Limousine in 2017
Overview
TypeBMW 7 Series
ManufacturerBMW
Also calledC1 (Commonwealth One)
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size luxury car (F)
Body style4-door sedan
Chronology
PredecessorHolden Caprice

The Prime Ministerial Limousine is the official state car used by the prime minister of Australia. The current vehicle is a white BMW 7 Series. The prime ministerial and other ministerial limousines are maintained by COMCAR, a subdivision of the Department of Finance. The vehicle is often referred to in the media and the community as "C1", which is the number plate that the car displays (meaning "Commonwealth 1"). The Australian flag is centrally mounted on the bonnet of the vehicle.

Prime ministerial vehicles are transported and used wherever the prime minister travels. The vehicle is stored at Parliament House, the Lodge, Kirribilli House or an allocated COMCAR facility. While COMCAR administers the vehicles, they are driven by Australian Federal Police officers. Tony Abbott was the first prime minister to use the BMW 7 Series. The past model of prime ministerial limousine, the Holden Caprice, was first used by Bob Hawke, replacing the Ford LTDs that had been used in the 1980s.

Current vehicle

[edit]

The prime ministerial fleet was updated in 2014, replacing the Holden Caprice fleet with a suite of armoured BMW 7 Series High Security (F03) models. The $6.3 million (AUD) fleet of BMW 7 Series were purchased initially by the Australian Government to protect visiting dignitaries for the 2014 G20 summit in Brisbane, and were later commissioned as the official prime ministerial fleet.[1] The limousine, manufactured in Germany, has undergone extensive mechanical and protection-based modifications including armour and bulletproofing.[2] The prime ministerial state car and a supporting armoured BMW X5 is administered by COMCAR, a division of the Australian Government's Department of Finance, and driven by trained officers of the Australian Federal Police.[3][4]

Protection specifications

[edit]

The vehicle has the same visual appearance as a regular BMW 7 Series. However, it has been subject to extensive modifications. The limousine has been fitted with bullet-proofed doors and windows, as well as armour on the floor of the vehicle. On top of this, the vehicle has a protected fuel tank that does not explode when damaged and can withstand a roadside bomb. The off-the-shelf replacements for the older Holden Caprice vehicles offered greater protection and better value for money.[5] A BAE and GM-Holden consortium also unsuccessfully bid for the contract.[6]

Previous prime ministerial limousines

[edit]
[edit]
  • Holden Caprice of the prime minister, May 2007
    Holden Caprice of the prime minister, May 2007
  • The prime ministerial Holden Caprice, April 2008
    The prime ministerial Holden Caprice, April 2008
  • Australian Federal Police escort vehicle to the left of the Holden Caprice
    Australian Federal Police escort vehicle to the left of the Holden Caprice
  • BMW 7 Series with a BMW escort vehicle, January 2017
    BMW 7 Series with a BMW escort vehicle, January 2017
  • Rear view of the BMW 7 Series, August 2022
    Rear view of the BMW 7 Series, August 2022
  • The vehicle's number plate (C1)
    The vehicle's number plate (C1)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Terlato, Peter (15 January 2015). "Tony Abbott's New $500,000 Armoured Ride Can Stop AK-47 Rounds And Deter Bomb Blasts". Business Insider Australia. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  2. ^ Maiden, Samantha (30 August 2014). "PM snubs Holden to buy $6.2m fleet of BMWs that can withstand terror attacks". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  3. ^ Australian Department of Finance (2017). "Part Four Travel – 4.4 Car Transport". Ministers of State Entitlements (current to 31 December 2017). Government of Australia. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  4. ^ Ministerial and Parliamentary Services, Department of Finance (1 January 2018). "COMCAR". Guidance to Senators and Members on the resources provided to them as a Parliamentarian. Government of Australia. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  5. ^ Benson, Simon (11 December 2013). "Bomb-proof BMWs will replace the Prime Minister's Holden fleet of limousines". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  6. ^ Kenny, Mark (13 December 2013). "Holden angered by media reports it did not submit bid to supply 'blast-proof' vehicles for Australian government VIPs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
[edit]
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