Israel government orders $1 million Audi limousine for the Prime Minister

If you’re the prime minister of a country that’s been rife with unrest for as long as you can remember, it’s always a good idea to roll around on the road with a car that puts a premium on your safety. Sure, luxury’s a big part too, but since you’re the leader of your country, luxury isn’t – and shouldn’t be - the be all and end all of your choice of ride.

The Israeli government knows a thing or two about assassinations – remember the late Yitzhak Rabin? – so when choosing for a new car for the current prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, the country’s national domestic preventive security force – the Shin-bet, if you’re keeping score – has opted for an armored German limousine: a specially-built Audi A8L Security.

Based on the long-wheelbase variant of the A8, the car comes with standard 6-liter W12 engine that produces 450 horsepower with a Quattro all-wheel drive. Unlike just about any A8 on the planet though, this car is going to come with some state-of-the-art features specifically included to cater to the safety of the prime minister. There’s a B6+ and B7 ballistic protection, a fire-suppression system, run-flat tires, and explosive charges on the doors. And if prime minister Netanhayu wants to relax in his custom-made A8 limo, he can do so by enjoying the added DVD entertainment system and the humidor in case he’d like to light up a stogie.

The limousine is expected to cost somewhere around $1 million, which, if you’re Israel, is a pretty small price to pay for the safety and well-being of your leader.