Common Exotic And Expensive Cars Used By Politicians As Official Car

Politicians are among the well-paid in the world, particularly Nigerian politicians with a whopping total salary of over 14 million NGN per month. With these levels of earnings, politicians are able to afford the best cars both for convenience and official purposes. Below is the list of common exotic cars used by politicians for official needs;

Mercedes Benz S-550

Top performance, elegance, luxury and quality have always been the defining characteristics of Mercedes-Benz cars. Mercedes Benz is a beloved car by various Nigerian politicians and celebrities alike. The likes of President Muhammadu Buhari, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and many other Governors in the country own at least one Benz in their fleet of cars used for official reasons.

The S-550 is popular amongst politicians. In fact, the Nigerian president and Chief Commander of the Armed forces – President Mohammed Buhari, uses an armoured Mercedes Benz 550 4matic reported to cost 180 million NGN as his official car.

Under the hood of the S-550 is either a 429-hp turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder engine on the S500 or a 496-hp twin-turbo 4.0-litre V-8 on the S580. Both powertrains are supplemented by a 48-volt hybrid system (called EQ Boost) and pair with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive. The S-550 used by politicians has a beautifully designed interior and high-tech features.

Range Rover Sentinel

Nigerian politicians are quick to join the trend of the latest exotic and expensive cars. Amongst their collection of official cars is a Range Rover. Two governors, namely former Governor Wike of Rivers State and Former Governor Ambode of Lagos State drive the Range Rover Sentinel. This vehicle is armoured to provide both luxury and upgraded protection. This car is said to cost between 70-90 million NGN. Not many Nigerians are able to afford this luxurious taste in cars, but politicians are well-paid to live these affluent lives.

The Range Rover Sentinel is certified to VR8 standard against ballistic threats by QinetiQ, which means it can withstand 7.62 mm high-velocity, armour-piercing incendiary rounds, 15 kg (33 lb) TNT explosions, and DM51 grenades going off both beneath the floor and on the roof.

Added armoured features in the Sentinel are armoured glass, undercarriage/roof blast protection, and an emergency escape system located in the rear luggage compartment for quick getaways. Powering this armoured, luxurious car is a 375-hp 5.0-litre supercharged V-8 engine.

Lexus LX 570

Across the states in Nigeria, the Lexus LX 570 is widely loved and used for official purposes by politicians. The Lexus LX 570 ticks all the boxes when it comes to elegance, simplicity, and quality. This modern SUV is built on the backbone of the Toyota Landcruiser. This vehicle costs 48-60 million NGN.

Standard features of the Lexus LX 570 for politicians include Adaptive suspension, Leather upholstery, wood interior trim, Ambient interior lighting, Power-adjustable, heated front seats, Four-zone automatic climate control, Sunroof, Power rear liftgate, 12.3-inch infotainment display, Nine-speaker premium sound system, Navigation System, Premium leather upholstery, Ventilated front seats, Heated and ventilated rear seats, Heated steering wheel.

Toyota Landcruiser Prado

The Toyota Landcruiser Prado is another exotic car you will find in the official fleet of politicians. This vehicle is the preferred choice, especially when they need to travel some distance and don’t want to go by flight. The Landcruiser Prado is reliable, strong and of high performance. Its ruggedness makes it easy to endure the poor condition of Nigerian roads. The Landcruiser Prado is spacious and can easily accommodate any special entourage that wants to ride with politicians.

The Prado’s diesel engine contains a 2982cc with a four-cylinder inline-four valves/cylinder and a dual overhead camshaft. Mated with an automatic transmission, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado’s four-cylinder inline diesel engine can generate horsepower and torque at 171 bhp at 3400 RPM and 410 Nm at 1600 RPM, respectively. The starting price of this exotic vehicle is 45 million NGN.

Lexus GX 460

Although elderly in age, Nigerian politicians stay in vogue with luxury cars. Most politicians have the Lexus GX 460 on their top list of cars for official purposes. The GX 460 incorporates new, highly-appreciated safety features with appealing aesthetics and modern technologies, including a Pre-Collision System, lane departure warning system, Driver Monitoring System, and Lexus Enform with Safety Connect telematics.

Standard features for politicians Lexus GX 460 include seating for up to seven passengers, LED headlights, Lexus’ Kinetic Dynamic Suspension, a System for improved off-road performance, Keyless entry and ignition, simulated leather upholstery, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Four USB ports (two up front, two in the rear). Anyone who has a fat pocket can easily afford the GX 460. It costs 30-55 million NGN.