Hot on the heels of the announcement that it would be bringing its flagship Equus luxury sedan to the North American market comes the launch of the Equus VL500 limousine. The stretched limo measures a foot longer than the luxury automobile on which it is based, and beats the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S500L and Lexus LS460L by some 15 inches, providing rear-seat passengers with that much extra legroom.

Although it hardly ranks among the top premium marques on this side of the ocean, Hyundai has quickly risen to the number four spot among automakers worldwide, and is certainly the largest in its domestic market, where the Equus VL500 is being launched exclusively for the time being. Prices hover around the Korean Won equivalent of $120,000, and three examples have even been outfitted with full bomb-proof armor for the President of South Korea, which will be used at the upcoming G20 summit there next year.

Stretching a stock automobile into a limousine is a precarious venture. So while Mercedes-Benz can take its own E-Class sedan, as it's preparing to do, and turn it into a stretched limo to assuredly polished effect, when others try to do the same, more often than not, the modified vehicle turns out a complete abomination of the original. Take for example this stretched Maserati Quattroporte. Currently under the proprietorship of Florida's Padilla Car Collection, this Italian luxury sports sedan has been lengthened considerably to accommodate ten passengers in high style, but in effect the original's sumptuous lines have been lost along the way. Say what you will about stretched Hummers – which Padilla has in stock, too – but at least their form carries the extension well.

Automakers go to great lengths to keep their designs secret, but more often than not they leak out somehow. One way in which design sketches of upcoming automobiles find their way from the studio out into the public realm has been the patent office of the European Union. The latest to leak out from the bureau is a stretched limousine version of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class. In this case, it wasn't just one sketch that leaked out, but several, detailing a range of factory-available modification possibilities for the mid-size luxury sedan, starting with a slight increase and extending all the way up to a full extra set of doors like those found on funeral home limos. Likely to be called the E-Class Pullman, the stretched Mercedes is likely to benefit from all manner of luxury equipment to transport its occupants in opulent comfort to rival even its corporate cousins from Maybach. Follow the link to Autoblog to view more of the patent sketches, and stay tuned for more information as Mercedes prepares the new E-Class Pullman for market debut.

They might be billing it as a concept vehicle, but it looks pretty production-ready to us. And the choice to launch it at the Middle East International Auto Show? All the more suspect -- Maybach could sell every last limited-production one of these at the next OPEC meeting alone.

Witness the closest thing to a production-ready four-door luxury convertible we've seen in a while, the Maybach 62 Landaulet. The Landaulet can thank the 62 S sedan on which it's based for its 612-horsebower biturbo V12 and reclining rear seats, the latter of which are done up in white leather, contrasting the black leather adorning the chauffer's cockpit. That and the electronically-dimmed glass partition aren't all that separates the "haves" from their driver -- while the cockpit is enclosed overhead, the rear passengers enjoy a retractable soft top.

Just to give the sun something to glint off of spectacularly, Maybach also sprang for piano lacquer and gold-flecked granite (yes, granite) inserts.

Check out Daimler's full press release after the jump.

In the category of "oh no he dih-ehhhnt," we offer for your enjoyment a stretch Ferrari limo, complete with round tail lights, ceramic brakes and nine-foot gullwing doors. We're not sure if the doors quite warrant the brooming of the mini-bar, but to each his own.

The beauty in question was commissioned by by Style Limousines of Manchester and involved almost $400,000 in mods, not the least of which was welding in the massive middle that makes the pony stretch so. The extra girth isn't enough to slow this Ferrari down much, however -- 0-60 in under six seconds and a top speed of 170 ain't too shabby.

[Source: CNet]

Does anybody else feel a little nauseous? That's a lot of pink.

But apparently pink is what European limo goers look for in a vehicle, as this large pink H3 Hummer is being billed as the U.K.'s most sought after limousine for hire. The inside is just as cotton-candy-crazy as you'd expect with pink and white seats, a mirrored ceiling with optic lights, and some kind of color-changing twinkling lights. And of course it has all the usual perks that come with a limo ride like champagne, flat screen TVs, and (dare we say it?) prestige.


Via Lussorian

Kimberly Stewart, daughter of rocker Rod, thought she was being a wee bit cheeky when she pinched the keys to P. Diddy's favorite ride, a Maybach limousine, for a brief jaunt to Cannes with a friend during a recent bash. Sean wasn't hip to the joke, however, and quickly sent his flunkies on a wild goose chase for the vehicle.

Rash? We think not -- at a cost of $715,000, we'd be hauling Kim's ass to the nearest precinct. Diddy did get his ride back the next morning, though Kim's people have failed to come up with any kind of statement for the media.

[Source: Now Magazine]

This Mini Cooper S Limo doesn't have the traditional "classy" look that most limos do, but it more than makes up for it with unique features and "cute" appeal. Wouldn't it be fun to go cruising around town in a Mini Cooper but get to take more than just 1 or 2 squished friends with you? Some features included inside are leather (a given in any limo), seats for 6, a retractable flat screen TV with DVD player, and a swimming pool.

Yes, that's right. Now they are really using the term "swimming pool" loosely here, but sure enough there is a pool/whirlpool tub thing built right into the rear of the vehicle big enough to fit two adults. Just don't take any fast turns or your guests might slosh right out.

Looking to buy a car? And not just any car, but a Porsche Cayenne Limo? Well then eBay is the place for you!

...seriously?

I have heard of the occasional car shopper browsing and bidding religiously through the eBay auto section waiting for that "once in a lifetime bargain," but eBay didn't make it's way to the top of the internet charts by selling cars. So why on earth would somebody choose to it to sell their Porsche? I honestly can't even guess what a car like that is really worth, but I bet it's a good deal more than the current bid (as I write this post) of $55,000. No wonder the reserve hasn't been met.

So do you think any of these bidders bothered to actually go see the car in person? Or is somebody just willing to shell over $55,000 sight unseen? I bet they're just fooling around, knowing that without meeting the reserve the bids won't win.

How embarrassing for that poor Porsche.

In today's Wall Street Journal, there is an interesting blurb on prices around the world, comparing the rate for the same service in different locations. In this case, the service is a one-way private transfer from an airport to a luxury hotel, as booked through that hotel or their concierge. All the prices have been converted to US dollars and the difference in various markets is quite surprising, especially since the distance being considered was that of a very central location. As a starting point, the cost in New York was $167 per person. In Manila, the transfer was a mere $42, while it was $74 in Sydney and $100 in Hong Kong. The three locations more expensive than New York were London, at $171, Paris at $170 and Tokyo, at an almost shocking $382. It's enough to make you think twice about arranging your own transportation. After all, it certainly couldn't be much more expensive and by calling around, you might even be able to arrange nicer transportation.

A Frada is nowhere near a Prada, but a Binz is not so far from a Benz. German company Binz makes a variety of speciality automobiles including limos based on the Mercedes-Benz chassis. They have created a new S-Class limousine concept vehicle which will be available as a custom design. The six door S-Class has options including video screens in the rear of each headrest and privacy blinds.