Officially, Which Car is Parked in President Buhari's Garage?

The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari's car is a German Machine. The official car is a 2015 Model of the Mercedes Benz S550 4Matic and the car is a sophisticated eye-catching automobile and is indeed a presidential ride. While both Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and former president Goodluck Jonathan prefer Mercedes-Benz, it seems that Jonathan’s choice car was a much more simplistic Mercedes-Benz S 350 compared to Buhari who prefers a much more expensive and luxury S550 4Matic.

FAMILY

Buhari’s S550 4Matic is of the sixth generation of luxury Mercedes-Benz special class cars labelled by the company as ...

the W222. GEJ’s car belongs to the previous fifth generation, the W221.

FEATURES

The best and elegant Leather interior design - Automatic transmission - All LED lighting (head lights, rear lights etc. - no light bulbs) - Soft closing powered doors, windows and seats - 360 degree view camera coverage - Parking sensors (Senses bumps ahead and adjust speed accordingly) - Highly dynamic HUD(Heads Up Display) - Air freshener system - Seat massager system (a choice of massage type for each seat occupant) - Refrigerator cool box - Ambient lighting - Backseat entertainment systems (optical drive, led screens) - Remote control for command interface - Cruise control - Bluetooth Phone connectivity - Remote trunk release - CD Changer - AM/FM Radio - Moon roof - Rear vents - Giovanni Alloy wheels - Memory seat - First Aid Kit - High Graphics Navigation system(like Google Earth) - All round airbags - Multi-Functional power steering - High profile sound system - Heated arm rest(1st car with it).

ENGINE & PERFORMANCE

Base Engine Size: 4.7 L

Cam Type: Double Overhead Cam (DOHC)

Cylinders: V8

Valves: 32

Valve Timing: Variable

Torque: 516 ft-lbs. @ 1800 rpm

Horsepower: 449 hp @ 5250 rpm

Turning Circle: 40.0 ft.

FUEL

Engine Type: Gas

Fuel Type: Premium unleaded (required)

Fuel Tank Capacity: 21.1 gal.

Range In Miles (CTY/HWY): 358.7/527.5 mi.

EPA mileage EST. (CTY/HWY):17/25 mpg

WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES

Maximum Payload: 1576 lbs.

Curb Weight: 4729 lbs.

Cargo Capacity, all seats in place: 16.3 cubic ft.

COMPETITORS:

Other rival brand models include the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, Lexus LS and the Kia K900

VIDEO

PRICING

A Mercedes-Benz S 350 of the type used by GEJ is only about N27 million. Buhari’s Mercedes Benz S550 4Matic costs about N47 – N50 million which is quite less when compared to a Mercedes Maybach S600 which in base-line configuration costs around $258,000 or N51.6 million. Upgraded versions of these cars for world leaders cost tens of thousands of dollars more than their base-line pricing, but include the capability to withstand small firearms and explosive devices, and a self-sealing fuel tank.

Whether you drive (as the driver) or you are driven (as the president), the S550 4Matic is stupenduosly comfortable and the "S" may not be the most expensive car on wheels but it surely sets a benchmark.