Bay Area Limousines | San Francisco Travel Blog
Porsche Announces Smaller Version of Limousine
Legendary sports car manufacturer Porsche recently announced that it will be producing and marketing a smaller version of its Panamera limousine in the very near future. Porsche has been slow to release specifics about the smaller, more nimble version of the Panamera, but early reports suggest that it will be a five-door fastback design like the larger model and is poised to compete with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5-Series luxury sedans. Porsche says that the new Panamera limo is going to be a big part of the automaker’s plans to improve market share and sell 200,000 vehicles a year by 2018.
Porsche president Matthias Mueller told reporters that the new Panamera limo has been in development for several years and that prices will begin around $80,000. Mueller described this price point as “the magic limit,” meaning the lower limit that Porsche would consider selling one of its models so as not to undermine its reputation as a luxury automaker. Mueller also leaked news about another new model, a sleek roadster code-named the Porsche 960, which will be positioned to erode Ferrari’s share of the performance market.
In other news, Mueller also hinted at the resurrection of a classic Porsche, the Targa Drophead, a semi-convertible coupe with a removable roof section for open air on the open road.
"We could see ourselves reviving the Targa 964 just like we did 20 years ago," Mueller said.
If things proceed as planned, these new models, in addition to yet another new model, the compact Macan SUV, would add to Porsche’s current lineup of the classic 911, the Cayenne crossover SUV, the full-size Panamera and the Boxster/Cayman. Porsche is owned by Volkswagen and set a new sales record in November, with 128,978 units sold, a marked improvement of 8.5 percent over 2011’s sales.
We look forward to seeing the new Panamera limo, but we wonder if or how it will fit into its proposed niche of smaller performance limousines or if it will create an entirely new niche. Either way, color us intrigued, as any new limousine model from an automaker like Porsche is a reason for celebration! Speaking of celebrations, if you’re looking for a San Francisco limousine rental to help you celebrate an important event in your life, call us at NLS Limo today at 800-339-8936. No other Bay Area limousine service offers a better selection of limos and other luxury vehicles at affordable rates. Add in our legendary customer service, and you and your friends are guaranteed to have a wonderful time! Please browse the pages of our site to view your limo rental options and if you have any questions, we would love to hear from you!
Dutch Company Announces Submersible Limousine for Ultra-Wealthy Clientele
Because it is our mission to bring our readers all sorts of limousine news from the sublime to the ridiculous, we thought we’d share this limo news item out of the Netherlands. A Dutch company called U-Boat Worx, which manufactures custom submarines, has announced that they have created the world’s first “subsea limousine,” the C-Explorer 5. This underwater limo was unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show this past September and seats up to four guests, including the chauffeur.
Aimed squarely at customers at the higher end of the income bracket, the C-Explorer 5 retails for around $2.4 million and is designed for intrepid owners who want to explore depths down to 1,000 feet below sea level. It is capable of reaching speeds up to 3 knots, or 3.5 miles per hour and is equipped with high-capacity lithium-ion batteries that can power the limo up to eight hours. This limousine closely resembles the remotely operated vessels (ROVs) that researchers use to explore the ocean’s depths but on a larger scale. A pressurized steel and acrylic sphere protects the occupants, and the sphere is framed by a steel cage and outboard pontoon-like structures, which house the thrusters and stabilizers.
If the occupants happen to get a bit more adventurous than they planned, the vessel is capable of supporting the crew for up to 96 hours or even longer with the optional 16-hour batteries. The chauffeur controls the underwater limo through dual-2kWh thrusters and optional dual-1.2kWh thrusters for controlling side-to-side movement. Moving inside, the amenities are more practical than luxurious by necessity. The CE5 features LED lighting, air conditioning, bucket seats and underwater instrumentation. However, the CE5 does offer some cool amenities not found on most limousines: there is a smaller tethered ROV for exploring tighter spaces, an external arm, a high-definition camcorder and sonar equipment.
There is no doubt that this limousine is one of the coolest limos that we have seen, but it isn’t very practical. After all, where is the wet bar, moon roof, flat-screen TV, audio system, privacy screen and other luxurious amenities found in all of our San Francisco limousines? While this limo may be great for a specific kind of sightseeing, and a spectacular one at that, it would have limited range and appeal for most of our guests. If you want a San Francisco limo, party bus or other type of luxury transportation for an upcoming wedding, concert or other special occasion held above sea level, call us at NLS Limo today at 800-339-8936. Our Bay Area limousines might not be able to take you and your guests on an underwater adventure, but we’d be glad to transport you to the Aquarium of the Bay, Steinhart Aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences, Monterey Bay Aquarium or any other destination you’d like!
Officials Cut Three Limos in Half to Discourage Illegal Limousine Services
Britain’s Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) is similar to California’s Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in that both government agencies are responsible for issuing licensing and ensuring compliance with regulations to ensure transportation safety for passengers. However, it appears that both agencies have different approaches to discouraging illegal limousine services. The CPUC issues fines and publishes lists of illegal operators to protect Californians. VOSA recently sawed three limousines in half to illustrate what can happen to vehicles owned by illegal operators.
VOSA recently teamed up with a team from the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, who used a Range Rover limo, Porsche Cayenne limo and a Hummer H2 SUV limousine to gain experience with their metal cutting equipment. All three limousines were cut neatly in half, and VOSA invited local media outlets to capture the proceedings on video and help them publicize the message. You may remember a blog we wrote last year about a similar event where VOSA crushed a Ford Excursion SUV limo owned by an illegal limo service.
Neil Barlow, Head of Enforcement at VOSA, told reporters that his agency has seized vehicles destroyed to demonstrate the “dangers to the public” that illegal limousine services present.
"We don’t feel any great need to prove anything here, and I think this demonstration shows there are some issues in terms of getting passengers out of the vehicle," he explained. "It’s also about getting the message back to the industry that if they’re going to operate limousines, they need to operate within the law because I’m sure they don’t want to see this happening to their vehicles."
Here in the Bay Area, we’re fairly certain that our San Francisco limousines, SUV limos, party buses and other vehicles are safe from VOSA’s publicity stunts. Even if the CPUC wanted to stage similar events, we’d still sleep well at night as all our licenses, insurance coverage, vehicle maintenance, inspections and all other requirements are fully in compliance with state regulations. Spending the time, money and energy to ensure CPUC compliance is only one of the many things we do to ensure that all our guests have a safe, fun and very comfortable experience with us. If you’re looking for a Bay Area limousine service that puts the safety of its guests above all other considerations and has the most competitive and affordable rental rates in the area, call us at NLS Limo today at 800-339-8936!
Presidential Motorcade Halted After Lead Limo “Bottomed Out”
There has been lots of presidential limo news in the mix recently, and it’s our job as the premier San Francisco limousine service to deliver it! Here is the latest development in the Obama administration limousine saga. During his recent trip to Ireland, the President’s motorcade came to a halt when the lead limo bottomed out while exiting the driveway of the U.S. Embassy in Dublin. Security cameras mounted outside the Embassy recorded the unexpected hitch in the presidential itinerary as Secret Service personnel piled out of different limousines to inspect the problem.
Use of Limousines Up Sharply During Obama Administration
According to the latest figures from the General Services Administration (GSA), the number of limousines bought and used by the Obama administration is up sharply over the last couple of years. The GSA found that there were 412 limousines used by various administration officials in 2010, which is up from 238 used in 2008, a 73 percent rise. Administration officials say the increase is due to security concerns, but in an unusual twist, the GSA admits that its limo statistics may be suspect as it uses the term “limo” to refer to a number of different vehicles and uses.
Michigan Teen Battling Cancer Receives Limo Ride and Shopping Spree
This is the type of limousine story everyone can understand and endorse. A 14-year-old Michigan boy who has spent the last year undergoing chemotherapy for a rare type of cancer recently received a shopping spree and limousine ride courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan. Joey Bouffard is fighting a rare form of bone cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma, which affects young children and teenagers. Joey was nominated for the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s limo ride and shopping spree by his doctors at the University of Michigan.
Sophistication Meets Security in Armored Maybach Guard
World business and political leaders wanting the newest and latest in comfort and security presented Maybach engineers with a challenge. The challenge was to build a luxury limousine befitting a head of state that also includes security features often found in armored personnel carriers. It appears that Maybach’s engineers were up to the task as the Maybach Guard made its debut near company headquarters in Sindelfingen, Germany.
All-Electric Rolls-Royce Limousine Makes Debut in Geneva
Rolls-Royce’s much-anticipated all-electric, battery-powered Phantom EX102 was rolled out for curious onlookers and luxury limo aficionados at the Geneva Motor Show recently, and it created quite a stir. Rolls-Royce says the vehicle costs a few pennies per mile to operate and has zero emissions, a marked change from other limos made by the legendary luxury automaker. Rolls says the new Phantom can be charged via electrical outlet or wirelessly by driving over a unique electric pad that can be installed in owners’ garages.
West Hollywood Considering Restrictions on Oversized Limousines
West Hollywood is exploring ways to ban large, oversized limousines from operating on city streets. City officials say the ban would protect the environment, ease parking, facilitate traffic flow and remove a potential obstacle to emergency vehicles responding to a call. The West Hollywood City Council approved the formation of a search committee that would draft measures to restrict huge custom limousines made with fabricated bodies grafted to the cab of a long-haul tractor or truck tractor. A local limousine service owns and rents such a limo called the Colossus that includes all the normal features of a limousine plus a disco dance floor and an external television that can be used for advertising.
Nursing Home Grants Resident’s Wish: Ride in a Limousine
A report out of Kentucky provides the kind of news we all could use more of and more often. An elderly resident of Magnolia Village Care and Rehabilitation Center in Bowling Green had a wish to ride in a limo, receive a full body treatment at a day spa, go out for lunch, do some shopping and ride back to her home in the assisted living facility. Some employees at SunBridge Healthcare, a 60-bed nursing center that cares for adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, granted 85-year-old Gladys Revels’ wish recently and made her day.