Roll Call of Indonesian Presidential Cars: From Independence to Today!

Unbeknownst to us, as the Indonesian nation, we have entered the 78th year of independence on this 17th of August, 2023. Various historical journeys have been traversed through different eras of leadership in various governmental periods. Starting from the leadership era of Ir. Soekarno since the time of independence, up until the current leadership of Ir. Joko Widodo. Aside from the historical events that have occurred and colored each governance era, there is one aspect that always accompanies each individual in the number one position in every activity – the presidential vehicle they use.

 

The presidential vehicle is an official service car specifically provided for the mobility needs of the head of government or the President in a country. Although originating from a certain automobile brand that produces cars generally, the presidential vehicle, in particular, possesses technical specifications that are undoubtedly well above average because it is used to transport the most important individuals in a country or VVIPs. Its unique specifications or advantages mainly reside in the aspects of security, durability, maneuverability, and other inherent features.

 

Indonesia itself, as a sovereign nation since 1945, has had a series of presidential vehicles utilized by each president during their respective governing periods. Each presidential vehicle used comes from different brands and models, each with varying strengths. So, what are the brands and models of presidential vehicles used in Indonesia from the era of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Soekarno, to the current President, Ir. Joko Widodo? Below, we present the complete list for you.

 

List of Indonesian Presidential Vehicles Throughout the Ages

Presidential service cars undoubtedly possess specific specifications that have been determined to meet the standards of security and comfort for a President. Therefore, these cars are custom ordered from a manufacturer, allowing the specified special features to be met. The primary specifications of a presidential vehicle that take top priority are in the security aspect, namely bullet-resistant features. Almost every part of the car's body, along with each pane of glass, from the front to the back, possesses a certain thickness and strength capable of withstanding bullet impacts.

 

The current presidential service car used by President Joko Widodo is the Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard. As for the first presidential vehicle used by President Soekarno, it was a car originating from the homeland of Uncle Sam – the Buick-8.

 

Below is the complete list of Indonesian presidential vehicles.

 

1. President Soekarno

Indonesia's presidential vehicles were first utilized by President Soekarno during the early days of independence. Among them was an American-made car, the Buick-8, with a limited-8 model from 1939. This car was equipped with a 5,247 cc engine and stood as one of the most robust vehicles of its time. This historically significant car is currently housed at the Museum Gedung Joang 45 in Jakarta.

 

In addition to the Buick-8, President Soekarno also had access to various other official vehicles during his tenure, including the presidential cars Cadillac 75, Mercedes-Benz 600, GAZ 13, Zil 111, Lincoln Cosmopolitan (a convertible limousine), and even the Chrysler Imperial.

 

2. President Soeharto

During the New Order era or the administration of President Soeharto, the first presidential vehicle in use was the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. Produced in 1980 in the United States, this car represented the final generation of the Fleetwood variant.

 

The vehicle boasted a lengthy body dimension with a luxurious and elegant appearance, closely resembling a limousine. This choice was fitting for the high-ranking officials of the time, especially among the VVIP circles.

 

Under the hood, the car was powered by a V8 engine with a capacity of 4,100 cc, producing 135 horsepower and a maximum torque of 260 Nm. It featured a 4-speed automatic transmission.

 

Throughout its time as the RI presidential vehicle, the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham was utilized for various state activities by President Soeharto. This included hosting the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam at the Merdeka Palace on October 24, 1984, and receiving the credentials of the Ambassador of the Republic of Egypt to Indonesia on November 22, 1995.

 

Besides the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, President Soeharto also used the Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL as his official vehicle. This car, equipped with an eight-cylinder 5,000 cc engine, was capable of reaching speeds of up to 220 km/h. Interestingly, similar cars were used by U.S. President Bill Clinton and Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

 

The presidential car was outfitted with high-level security features, including bullet-resistant glass. The body was armored with steel and black platinum. This made President Soeharto's vehicle resilient against mortar attacks and shocks.

 

In 1994, the government replaced President Soeharto's presidential vehicle with a more modern Mercedes-Benz S600 and occasionally utilized the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, an SUV model.

 

3. Presidents B.J. Habibie, Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), and Megawati

After President Soeharto's resignation, the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham was still used by his successors, including President B.J. Habibie. President B.J. Habibie continued using Soeharto's presidential car during his term. One of the frequently used presidential vehicles was the Mercedes-Benz S600.

 

In addition to B.J. Habibie, the Mercedes-Benz S600 was also used during the administrations of Presidents Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) and Megawati Soekarnoputri.

 

4. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

At the beginning of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration, the Mercedes-Benz S600 continued to be used before being replaced. In 2007, the government renewed the presidential vehicle fleet, replacing it with the more robust and advanced Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard.

 

The S600 Pullman Guard was designed to withstand rifle shots, mortars, grenades, and bomb fragments. Not only was the body and glass bulletproof, but the car could also travel up to 60 kilometers even with flat tires.

 

Under the hood, the car featured a 12-cylinder Biturbo engine, generating 517 horsepower. The Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman could reach a maximum speed of 210 km/h, quite impressive for a vehicle weighing 4,200 kilograms.

 

This presidential vehicle was still in use at the beginning of President Joko Widodo's administration.

 

5. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)

Following the legacy of the Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman from the previous administration, President Joko Widodo opted for the Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard as his new presidential vehicle.

 

The Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard offered enhanced durability and high performance. With a V12 petrol engine paired with a 7G-Tronic automatic transmission system, this car could reach a maximum speed of 210 km/h. The V12 engine produced 530 horsepower and a maximum torque of 830 Nm.

 

The car was known for its fuel efficiency in its class. Additionally, to ensure absolute comfort for the head of state, the S600 Guard featured AIRMATIC suspension, providing a comfortable ride even on rough roads.

 

This concludes the list of presidential vehicles that have accompanied Indonesia's historical journey through various presidential eras. So, which era's presidential vehicle is your favorite?