Biden is super impressed with Xi's Hongqi N701 limo. It costs half of what POTUS's Cadillac does

Keeping aside the brewing tensions between the US and China, a brief light-hearted moment unfolded between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, November 16. During a car face-off between the two leaders, showcasing their official cars, Xi's Hongqi N701 Limousine managed to catch Biden's eye.

As he checked out Xi's car, which had been flown from China to San Francisco alongside, Biden enthusiastically remarked, "It's a beautiful vehicle!"

Dialogue with a dash of car talk

• While Biden was seeing Xi off, upon seeing President Xi's car, said, "It's a beautiful vehicle!"
• The Chinese President, in response, proudly identified it as his "Red Flag car," in a friendly exchange.
• While Xi's response was translated for Biden, he shared, "You know what they call that car, they call it the beast," pointing at his Cadillac One (code named Stagecoach) parked at a distance. The Cadillac One costs $1.5million, according to the Daily Mail.
• President Xi responded with laughter and a handshake, adding a touch of lightheartedness to the diplomatic proceedings.

A closer look at the Hongqi N701 Limo

• The Hongqi Limo, codenamed N701, serves as the official vehicle for the 70-year-old Chinese leader during his visit to the US.
• He had also taken the N701 to Russia and Hong Kong in the past.
• Unlike details about other world leaders' official cars, information about the N701 is not in the public domain due to obvious reasons.
• However, some reports suggest it measures approximately 18 feet in length, with bulletproof 21-inch wheels and armoured glass all around.
• The Daily Mail reported that the car is specially designed to endure small bomb impacts and is equipped with an air compression system to protect against chemical attacks.
• Manufactured by Hongqi, a brand under China's FAW Group, the N701 Limousine boasts a solid road presence with understated styling.
• The vehicle's exterior features armour plating, a block-solid front fascia with a large grille, and minimal chrome accents, presenting a formidable yet refined appearance.
• According to a report, the N701 comes with a tag of $7,00,000.

The US-China Summit concluded with leaders committing to managing differences and maintaining stable relations. Amidst the serious discussions, the lighthearted exchange over their official cars provided a glimpse into the personal rapport developing between President Biden and President Xi.