While some limousines are owned by wealthy individuals, many are owned by governments to transport senior politicians, by large companies to transport executives, or by broadcasters to transport guests. Most limousines, however, operate as livery vehicles, providing upmarket competition to taxicabs.
The word limousine is derived from the name of the French region Limousin, where the inhabitants wore a hood perceived to be similar to the profile of the car.
Rolls Royce announced its bespoke personalization program at the beginning of 2010 and by August 2011, the company had to expand their operations to meet growing demand. Out of all the Ghost models sold in 2011, 56% were bespoke models, so Rolls Royce doubled the number of bespoke experts working at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood.
As if they needed the extra push to market the bespoke program, Rolls Royce has released two customized Ghost models to illustrate what the program can do with their unique paint colors, coach lines, and tread plates. The customized Ghost models come in Rose Quartz with a Gunmetal metallic hood and Matte Black. Both of them are combined with unique features on the interior, like full natural leather, black carbon fiber veneers, a cupholder lid, and steering wheel spokes.
"It is always our goal to exceed our clients’ highest expectations and fulfill their innermost desires," said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce CEO. "With highly bespoke Phantom and Ghost models, we are able to achieve this. The passion with which our bespoke craftspeople create these beautiful cars is reflected in some truly outstanding examples delivered across the globe last year."
Generally, sports cars and limousines don’t ever fall into the same category because, well, they are completely different from one another. Of course, there’s always some guy who thinks that mixing oil and water is going to get him a different result. One example of this is the Ferrari limousine that popped up around Christmas time and the second is this elongated version of the exquisite Audi R8.
This Audi R8 stretch limo was designed by Limo Broker UK and has been described as the perfect car "for your birthday bash, wedding, hen or stag party." It is based on the 528 HP Audi R8 V10 model, making it just about the fastest Audi R8 limo in the world. And while the standard R8 can only accommodate two passengers, this limo has been modified to carry eight passengers.
Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your opinion, this is just a concept, but the company hopes to produce one of these babies in the future. We’d rather have the real thing, even if only two of us can fit in it.
By now all of the kiddos have ripped through all of the Christmas wrapping to unveil the toys that Saint Nick was kind enough to swing by in the middle of the night to all of the good boys and girls. And now we can see what may have been the vehicle used to lug around all of those presents in a speedy fashions.
This Ferrari 360 Modena limousine is just about the craziest and best limo we’ve ever seen. It was spotted a few days before Christmas by shoppers in upmarket Knightsbridge, London where it took up two parking spaces. It was created by cutting a regular 360 Modena in half and adding seats in the middle to provide interior room for eight people, or a bunch of presents.
Estimated at £250,000 ($390,000 at the current exchange rates), this is the fastest limousine in the world - it can hit a top speed of 166 mph. Of course, there’s only one in existence and we’re guessing the big jolly guy has dibs.
"’Every boy wants to get into a Ferrari, this was a way for people to be able to do that with seven mates. It’s the biggest and craziest vehicle you can get. We made it because we wanted to create the ultimate Ferrari experience," said Dan Cawley - the designer of the limo.
The Mercedes E-Class L certainly doesn’t lack in luxury. But when you look at it, you have to admit that it still needs a little sprucing up to really deliver home the point that it’s a luxury limousine that shouldn’t be messed with.
The boys at Prior Design pretty much think the same way, so they did something that we couldn’t do from the comforts of our couch: they actually developed an aerodynamic kit to give the E-Class L a little more attitude.
Among the modifications Prior Design gave to the E-Class L include a new front bumper, a pair of new side skirts, a new rear bumper, a new set of 20" alloy wheels, and a new suspension set-up that improves the luxury saloon’s handling and characteristics.
Meanwhile, performance numbers were left untouched, which is a little disappointing. Then again, the E-Class L still has a plethora of power train options you can choose from, highlighted by a 4.7-liter V8 engine that produces just a shade under 400 horsepower.
With a price tag of more than $340K, the Maybach 57 is definitely a car that will only be driven by some of the richest people in the world. Then again, sometimes some of the richest people in the world shouldn’t be allowed to drive it.
In their latest video, "Otis," rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West have done the unthinkable and destroyed a perfectly good Maybach limousine. No, it wasn’t an accident; these guys did it on purpose. Why? Apparently, they wanted to customize the Maybach for their video. Next time, they should take Otis Redding’s word to heart and Try a Little Tenderness.
Nevertheless, this car is actually getting auctioned off to benefit the East African Drought Disaster, so we hope there are people out there that actually like what these guys have done.
