See Chinese President Xi Jinping's luxurious 18-foot sedan — and how it compares to Biden's 'Beast' Cadillac

Graham RapierJan 14, 2024, 13:34 IST

President Joe Biden and China's Xi Jinping both travel in custom black limousines.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images, Charles Dharapak/AP Photo

Chinese President Xi Jinping is in the United States this week.
He travels with a custom-built sedan by Chinese brand Hongqi.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives for his meetings with President Joe Biden and business leaders this week, he won't be chauffeured in a vehicle familiar to many Americans.

Instead, the leader will be whisked through California streets in his own state vehicle — much like when American heads of state travel abroad.

Xi's steed of choice is made by Honqi, a Chinese automaker that also sells several car and SUV models to the public.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting on November 14, 2023 in San Francisco, California.Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images

The L5, currently the most expensive Chinese car ever produced, has a relatively long length of 5.555 meters (an homage to the lucky number).

Supporters cheer as the motorcade of China's President Xi Jinping passes as he arrives to his hotel near the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit headquarters.ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP

Its design is based on a classic model from the 1960s known as a CA770.

This CA770 originally belonged to Chairman Mao Zedong and is now on display in a museum.Tao Zhang/Getty Images

The exact specs of Xi’s state version of the L5 aren't known, but the consumer versions aren’t shy on power and luxury.

Chinese President Xi Jinping enters his car after his visit to the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on March 26, 2019.AP Photo/Francois Mori

The L5 is powered by a mighty 6.0-liter V12 engine, depending on the configuration — and state leaders are known to opt for souped-up versions.

Security guards run alongside a limousine carrying Chinese President Xi Jinping after arriving at San Francisco International Airport ahead of the APEC summit on November 14, 2023.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Longtime autos journalist Jeremy Clarkson once took the L5 for a spin and noted luxurious touches like rosewood paneling and jade ornaments.

Faw HONGQI premium model L5 is displayed at the "Chinese Brands Day" event at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Exhibition Center in Shanghai in May, 2023.CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

But no matter how powerful and stately of a domestic option for Xi, the L5 is still overshadowed by the rolling Oval Office that’ll whisk Biden to and from meetings in California this week.

The Presidential Limo during a trip to New York. MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

But no matter how powerful and stately of a domestic option for Xi, the L5 is still overshadowed by the rolling Oval Office that’ll whisk Biden to and from meetings in California this week.

The latest version debuted in 2018 after being commissioned by Barack Obama in 2014.

The Presidential limo pictured in front of the White House. Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images

The Beast goes for about $1.5 million and is chock-full of features to make it (almost) a fully loaded White House on wheels.

Secret Service agents stand at "the Beast," the armored limousine of President Barack Obama, before he steps off Air Force One at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

Most of The Beast’s details are closely guarded by the Secret Service, but we do know it weighs up to 20,000 pounds, seats seven people, and has a powerful engine.

Secret Service agents stand around a presidential limo as President Barack Obama arrives at McCarran International Airport.AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

Most of The Beast’s details are closely guarded by the Secret Service, but we do know it weighs up to 20,000 pounds, seats seven people, and has a powerful engine.

Not much is known about the protective features of Xi's L5.

The motorcade of Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares to depart after arriving at San Francisco International Airport ahead of the APEC summit. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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See Chinese President Xi Jinping's luxurious 18-foot sedan &mdash; and how it compares to Biden's 'Beast' Cadillac

Xi's steed of choice is made by Honqi, a Chinese automaker that also sells several car and SUV models to the public.

The L5, currently the most expensive Chinese car ever produced, has a relatively long length of 5.555 meters (an homage to the lucky number).

Its design is based on a classic model from the 1960s known as a CA770.

The exact specs of Xi’s state version of the L5 aren't known, but the consumer versions aren’t shy on power and luxury.

The L5 is powered by a mighty 6.0-liter V12 engine, depending on the configuration — and state leaders are known to opt for souped-up versions.

Longtime autos journalist Jeremy Clarkson once took the L5 for a spin and noted luxurious touches like rosewood paneling and jade ornaments.

But no matter how powerful and stately of a domestic option for Xi, the L5 is still overshadowed by the rolling Oval Office that’ll whisk Biden to and from meetings in California this week.

The latest version debuted in 2018 after being commissioned by Barack Obama in 2014.

The Beast goes for about $1.5 million and is chock-full of features to make it (almost) a fully loaded White House on wheels.

Most of The Beast’s details are closely guarded by the Secret Service, but we do know it weighs up to 20,000 pounds, seats seven people, and has a powerful engine.

Not much is known about the protective features of Xi's L5.

See Chinese President Xi Jinping's luxurious 18-foot sedan — and how it compares to Biden's 'Beast' Cadillac