Rides of Heads of State (Part 6)

"VDub in da haus!" Peter Stormare, as VW pitchman Wolfgang

Today, we delve into world leaders and their Volkswagens. A few surprises here.

28. Czech Republic. Skoda, one of the oldest car companies in the Czech Republic (and the world), has been a VW subsidiary since 1991. President Vaclav Klaus, as the president of an auto producing nation, has to ride in a domestic car. A 2.8 liter six cylinder engine propels this mid-sized sedan. To those wondering-- it is essentially a long wheelbased Passat. Let's hope the Superb is more reliable.


29. The Vatican. When a man from Bavaria became the latest Pope, Audi/VW, BMW, and Mercedes fought hard to offer the Pope's official car. In the end, the Phaeton won. The 450 horsepower W12 wunder-engine rests under the hood. God-speed!

30. North Korea. This is the shocker. The Glorious Leader also rides in a Phaeton. Due to the secrecy of the regime and limited media access, I cannot find a picture of Kim in the Phaeton for confirmation. But if der Spiegel and VW Vortex have confirmed this, what other proof do I need?

31 and 32. Spain and Portugal. What can I say, socialist Iberian prime ministers love big German sedans. Zapatero has an A8. Socrates, the prime minister of poorer Portugal, rides in a Phaeton.
33. Belgium. In 2003, when a member of the Belgian royal family was caught speeding, PM Verhofstadt publicly criticized him. But immediately thereafter, his car was caught going 111 mph in a 75 zone. What a waffler. A year later, his A8 hits a concrete barrier and rolls thrice. At least the car wasn't flattened like a pancake.

CKY

Here is the breakdown of the 33 cars reviewed thus far:
9 Merc S-classes
4 Phaetons
3 BMW 7 series
2 A8s
2 Land Cruisers
2 Merc Gelandewagens
2 Holdens
1 each: Hyundai, Lancia, Maybach, Skoda, Audi A6, Jag, Peugeot, Renault, Lincoln