Politically Incorrect Cars

It isn’t easy being a leader these days, no matter what you do somebody is bound to be offended.

Take former Michigan senator Mitt Romney and former US Vice President Al Gore for example. Romney got slammed for driving an all-American Mustang that wasn’t green enough while Gore received criticism about his frugal Prius not being American enough.

Generally speaking, however, if you are the boss you get to drive what you want. But keeping an eye on how your actions will go down with the public is never a bad idea though.

In the age of austerity with a double-dip recession and threats of climate change looming, political sensitivity is even more important, but many clearly didn’t get that memo. These are the 10 cars that flip the bird at being politically correct.

---

1. Sultan of Brunei collection

Estimated to be worth more than $20 billion (nobody knows for certain), the ruler of Brunei’s garage is home to 531 Mercedes-Benzes and 367 Ferraris among scores of other luxury brands in his collection of over 3,000 machines.

The collection also boasts no less than eight McLaren F1s, 8% of the total production of the original hypercar. The Sultan deserves first place.

---

2. Dodge Challenger SRT8

3. Cadillac CTS

John McCain managed to straddle the politically correct line pretty effectively with his Cadillac CTS – supporting the US industry and showing he isn’t completely environmentally insensitive by opting for the slightly more frugal V6 version over the V8.

But peer pressure got the better of the Republican senator, resulting in a change to the Ford Fusion Hybrid.

---

4. Bentley Arnage

At odds with attempts by his mother and brother to be more politically correct, Prince Andrew splashed out £200,000 on a Bentley Arnage in 2009 which manages fuel economy of just 14.5mpg.

Prince Charles has converted his Aston Martin to run on bio-fuel, while the Queen gave the Bentley state limousines the same treatment. As she is an animal lover, the cars have cloth seats not leather.

---

5. Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670

Voted the least green car of 2010 by the Environmental Transport Association thanks to its fuel economy of 13.3mpg and 495g/km CO2, nobody who wants to maintain even the vaguest image of environmental responsibility should be seen in this Lambo.

At least the new Aventador produces less CO2 per kilometre.

---

6. Rolls-Royce Phantom

No other car shouts get-out-of-my-way-peasant in less uncertain terms than the Phantom with its intimidating dimensions, gargantuan grille and squinting headlights.

Fuel economy of 18mpg doesn’t do it any favours either, although the recently unveiled Phantom Experimental Electric concept (propelled by the world’s most powerful electric car battery), should help address that point.

---

7. Maybach 62S

At the best of times this behemoth walks a fine PC line – especially considering its 17.8mpg fuel economy.

But when you are the monarch of Swaziland, a country with 40% unemployment and where two-thirds of the people live under the poverty line, shelling out over £300,000 for the German-built saloon raises eyebrows.

---

8.Chrysler 300C

Concerned that the environmental specification and massive road presence of his Hemi-V8 300C would be misconstrued by the good US citizens, Barack Obama swiftly swapped his Chrysler for a much more politically correct Ford Escape Hybrid in 2008.

At least there is still the presidential Cadillac Limousine for special outings.

---

9. Mercedes-Benz 600L Pullman

In what appears to be a case of keeping up with the Joneses, Zambia’s President Rupiah Banda took delivery of a limousine identical to Robert Mugabe’s in neighbouring Zimbabwe.

Banda splashed out £430,000 on the car, nearly £200,000 more than Obama paid for his Cadillac limo, despite Zambia’s GDP being 0.01% of that of the US.

---

10. Hummer H1

As one of the first people to own a Hummer after persuading AM General to convert the army-spec Humvee for civilian use, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s love for Hummers is well documented.

Boasting fuel economy figures which make your eyes water, the Governator at least had his army-green H1 converted to run on vegetable oil.