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.
Back in 1913, four Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts were writing history at the Austrian Alpine Trials - the most arduous test of automotive endurance at the time. The four cars managed to travel over 1,820 miles, proving once again that Rolls Royce was indeed developing the best cars in the world.
This year, as a celebration to the event’s centenary, Rolls Royce has prepared an Alpine Trial Centenary Collection that takes inspiration from the 1913 Alpine Trials cars. The first car to be unveiled will be a special Ghost and we are going to see it at Auto China 2013.
The new Ghost Alpine Trial Centenary Edition is painted in the same blue used for James Radley’s Silver Ghost. The blue is be combined with a distinct black grille and wheels also inspired by the classic car.
The car’s cabin is also inspired by the Alpine Trials cars: the clock displays the stages of the rally and timings and it features a very nice "Alpine Trial Centenary" logo. As usual, each element of the interior is meticulously handcrafted by Rolls Royce engineers.
A few years ago, Hyundai collaborated with Italian fashion label Prada to build a special-edition Prada-designed Genesis model. That endeavor proved to be a flop as only about 400 of the 1,200 models were sold.
But the Korean automaker is apparently undaunted because it’s once again taken the same partnership route, only this time it’s with French fashion brand Hermes.
Called the Hyundai Equus Hermes Edition, the special-edition model is only three units strong and none of them are for sale. Guess Hyundai learned a lesson or two from the Prada debacle, huh?
Aesthetically speaking, each of the three Equus Hermes models have interiors that live up to Hyundai’s pursuit of a "modern premium" car. More than 20 high-end items were used to dress up the interior, including luminary materials like crocodile leather lining the door panels. If the material rings a bell, it’s also the same one Hermes uses on a lot of its handbags.
As an extended wheelbase, the Equus Hermes has enough space to accommodate a host of luxury features, particularly the rear, which has its own folding table, four-cup holders, a water bottle compartment, and a large storage space, among other things.
Unfortunately, none of the three units of the Equus Hermes Edition are up for sale, according to Hyundai. But if you want to learn more about the automaker’s rationale in building the unique luxury sedan, you can check out its Q&A regarding the Equus Hermes Edition after the jump.
The new-generation Mercedes S-Class will be making its world debut on May 15th, in Hamburg, Germany and it comes with lots of good news. Along with the sedan version, the new S-Class will also include new coupe and convertible version, but also a new limousine that will replace the old Maybach brand.
The new model - known as the S600 Pullman - was caught testing last week, and based on those spy shots, we have created a rendering that will help you get an idea on what to expect from the next model.
Spy shots revealed that the new S600 Pullman will be about 6 to 12 inches longer than the standard S-Class, thanks to the longer B-pillars and significantly longer rear doors. Under the hood, we expect the next S600 Pullman to get a twin-turbocharged V-12 engine that will deliver about 600 horsepower. Rumors suggest we will also see a hybrid version a few months after the gasoline model arrives on the market.
Expect the new Mercedes S600 Pullman to arrive a few months after the standard S-Class arrives on the market.
Sometimes, you can only let out an exasperated sigh.
The Lamborghini Aventador is, by all measures, a high-powered, true-as-can-be supercar. It’s appeal is hinged on the fact that it’s an exotic-looking beast with performance credentials unmatched by most cars in today’s world.
What it isn’t is a limousine, which is what UK-based luxury-car-for-hire company, Cars For Stars, is trying to turn it into.
To be fair to Cars For Stars, it’s designing the Lambo limo to remain "loyal to the original iconic Aventador design,” except with the caveat that it’s going to be much longer than what the Aventador is used to. But Cars For Stars is keeping most of the Aventador’s defining features, including the upwards-opening scissor doors, which will now have four of them as opposed to the two in the standard Aventador.
The company also said that the Aventador limousine will be built with only the finest materials in mind, including plush leather interiors emblazoned with the Cars For Stars logo, heated seats, plasma screens, iPod docks, surround sound, champagne bars and plenty more.
We have no doubts that Cars For Stars won’t disrespect the spirit of the Aventador, but there’s something to be said about turning a supercar into a luxury limousine that looks more and more like an expensive novelty more than anything else.
We get it if it’s a Rolls-Royce or a Bentley. But a Lamborghini Aventador?
As no surprise, more than 9 of 10 all-new XTS models are sold to individual luxury buyers. Now, Cadillac is further increasing the luxury level offered by the XTS limousine with the addition of a new W20 Livery Package offered exclusively to livery companies through Caddy’s Professional Vehicles program.
The new W20 Livery Package is built on the range-topping XTS Platinum and will add 19-inch wheels plus LED-infused door handles. The car’s safety will be further increased with the addition of a new rear-vision camera, while the interior adds a micro-fiber suede headliner.
The package can be further updated with a new rear-seat comfort package that adds heated front and rear seats, window sun shades and a power inverter to charge mobile devices. Cadillac’s new CUE system for connectivity and control will also be available with the new W20 Package.
Thanks to Cadillac’s new Professional Vehicles program, companies can further customize their vehicle fleets according to a specific set of standards required by their own activities.
The 2014 Audi A8 L has been the object of affection for a lot of people, including myself who may or may not have a desktop wallpaper of the German luxury car on his laptop computer.
So, when Audi announced that the A8 L TDI is set to be brought to U.S. shores, you had at least one happy camper that’s already trying to fill up his piggy bank.
In all seriousness, this is great for everyone who has been clamoring for the super-luxurious German limousine to find its way in the Land of the Free. Take out the fact that the Audi A8 L TDI looks like an outright stunner that takes advantage of all the beautiful styling cues that Audi has come to be known for in the past years. Audi’s Premium Package also comes as a standard for the A8 L TDI, which means that you’ll receive Audi side assist and pre-sense rear, 22-way multi-contour comfort seats, front seat ventilation with massage capabilities, and full LED headlights. Sign us up, please!
But what we really like about the A8 L TDI is its 3.0-liter TDI engine that delivers 240 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, allowing the car to hit 60 mph in just 6.4 seconds. Sure, there could have been more power added to the engine, but given the kind of market the A8 L is supposed to take aim at, 240 ponies is mighty plenty for us, especially when the returns equate to an EPA estimated 24 mpg city / 36 mpg highway/ 28 mpg combined.
The 2014 Audi A8 L TDI will retail for $82,500 when it hits dealerships in the spring. That’s significantly cheaper than the $93,000 price tag attached to the Mercedes S350 BlueTEC. We like the S350 BlueTEC, but when given a choice, we’re not hesitating picking the A8 L TDI on this round.
We’ll update this review as more information on the U.S.-spec A8 L TDI is release.
Click past the jump to read Audi’s short press release
Thanks to the downsizing trend that many top brands have been following lately, we might have to say goodbye to the top-of-the-line V-12 engine in BMW’s lineup. As of yet, BMW hasn’t given the green light to its inclusion in the next-generation 7-Series.
The V-12 engine has always been the pièce de résistance for the flagship BMW. Other than the plethora of creature comforts and gadgets that would make your kids happy, the V-12 engine gave the 7-Series immense power — 544 horses of it — that would make your gearhead friends happy as well. M-Series cars aside, this engine made the BMW 760Li the most powerful and costliest Bimmer ever made. It was more like buying the cheaper, German cousin of the Rolls Royce Ghost.
If it is axed, BMW may replace the hole left by the V-12 with a tuned version of the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 engine from the M5. BMW claims the difference between the two is size of the hole burnt in your pocket when it comes to gas consumption.
For people who are planning to buy the flagship limo just for the V-12 engine – likely only a handful of people – don’t lose hope yet, as the consideration of this engine is still under review. However, with the downsizing trend picking up pace and popularity, this move seems inevitable.
There are likely just a few people in the world who have not read at least one chapter from the incredible “One Thousand and One Nights.” And it looks like Scheherazade stories not only inspired our childhood, but also a bespoke collection offered by Rolls Royce Middle East.
The new Rolls Royce Ghost One Thousand and One Nights Edition is offered in a variety of two-tone paint schemes, which are specially mixed by Rolls Royce’s bespoke team in Goodwood, England. Each unit will feature a "One Thousand and One Nights" logo elegantly framing the door handles.
Geoff Briscoe, Director Middle East, Africa and Latin America for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said: "A Rolls-Royce is the perfect canvas from which to commission highly individual motoring masterpieces. The One Thousand and One Nights collection is a testament to the ability of our bespoke designers to take inspiration from a rich array of cultures."
The One Thousand and One Nights Ghost will debut at the Sharjah International Automobile Show on November 28th.
Click past the jump to read Rolls-Royce’s full press release.
If you enjoyed the Mulsanne Executive Interior Concept, Bentley, which was unveiled back in 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, you will be happy to know that Bentley is offering a production model of this office on wheels. This model has been specially developed for those that cannot let a minor detail, like traveling across town, interrupt work.
The new Mulsanne Executive Edition offers its rear passengers the greatest comfort ever offered in a limousine, along with all of the latest technologies needed to work while traveling. This model comes with free WiFi, two iPads with built-in keyboards, two screens inside the headrest and a 15.6-inch centrally located high-definition LED screen.
The car is also fitted with a Mac Mini, controlled by the supplied wireless touchpad. The passenger can access it via the twin USB ports positioned in the center console.
Bentley announced that the new Mulsanne Executive Edition can be customized by each client, depending on his personal needs and wishes.
The 2013 Rolls Royce Ghost will embrace very subtle revisions to the interior upholstery and the infotainment system of the car. What possibly can they upgrade or facelift? It’s already the perfect car, but it will be seeing similar revisions already found in the Phantom Series 2, apart from the day-time LEDs.
Revisions in the 2013 Ghost were mostly concentrated on the infotainment system of the car. It features an all new, advanced amplifier with the addition of ‘exciter’ speakers. Sounds exciting? The upholstery now comes with natural grain leather and cross-banded wood veneers. If this is an option they are introducing now, what was the type of leather they were using? Printed leather? Certainly that wouldn’t go along with Rolls Royce’s reputation of building hand-made cars out of exclusive materials.
On the outside, a new alloy wheel option will be available for customers who aren’t satisfied with the current options along with an all new, cool feature called the Comfort Access Boot. This feature lets you open the boot using your feet with the help of a sensor under the rear bumper, should both hands be full. It’s a neat feature that doesn’t require the hassle of taking the key out of the pocket while juggling shopping bags, but in a Rolls Royce?
Though it cannot be considered an incremental upgrade at all, except the cool boot feature, the 2013 Rolls Royce Ghost is, nevertheless, a car that sticks true to the Rolls Royce tradition of absolute perfection, immaculate ride, and supreme refinement. What is your take on the 2013 Rolls Royce Ghost? Let us know in the comments section.
