A Lexus for Monaco's Royal Wedding
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For those who still believe in the institution of monarchy and the legitimacy of kings, queens and royalty in general in this day and age (…some 2,500 years after the Athenians gave birth to democracy), 2011 will be marked by the royal weddings of Prince William to Catherine Middleton, and to a lesser extent, Prince Albert II of Monaco to Miss Charlene Wittstock.
If you wondering what all this has to do with the world of automobiles, Lexus’ European division announced today that it has received the royal stamp of approval from His Serene Highness [HSH] Prince Albert II of Monaco. The latter appointed the Japanese automaker as the official supplier of luxury cars to the blue-blooded residents of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco.
The head of the House of Grimaldi and the ruler of the Principality of Monaco will make use of an LS hybrid limo at the occasion of his marriage to Miss Charlene Wittstock on Saturday July 2, 2011.
Lexus said that the decision to award a royal warrant to the Japanese company was based on Prince Albert II’s “commitment for more environmentally friendly solutions”. The son of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and the American actress Grace Kelly, founded the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which is said to support more than 150 projects monitoring environmental evolution and protecting species endangered by climate changes, as well as providing assistance in water management in developing regions.
If you wondering what all this has to do with the world of automobiles, Lexus’ European division announced today that it has received the royal stamp of approval from His Serene Highness [HSH] Prince Albert II of Monaco. The latter appointed the Japanese automaker as the official supplier of luxury cars to the blue-blooded residents of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco.
The head of the House of Grimaldi and the ruler of the Principality of Monaco will make use of an LS hybrid limo at the occasion of his marriage to Miss Charlene Wittstock on Saturday July 2, 2011.
Lexus said that the decision to award a royal warrant to the Japanese company was based on Prince Albert II’s “commitment for more environmentally friendly solutions”. The son of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and the American actress Grace Kelly, founded the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which is said to support more than 150 projects monitoring environmental evolution and protecting species endangered by climate changes, as well as providing assistance in water management in developing regions.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 22,608
Likes: 105
From: Waiting for next track day
Lexus unveils one-off LS600h Landaulet
http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/26...landaulet.html
Lexus has revealed what it describes as a ‘one-off Landaulet version’ of the LS600h, which is set to serve as the royal wedding car when Prince Albert of Monaco gets married next month.
Unlike a traditional open landaulet, where rear-seat passengers sit in the open, the LS600h features a one-piece transparent polycarbonate roof at the back which has been manufactured using techniques normally employed for making the canopies of jet fighters. The car also uses extensive kevlar and carbonfibre reinforcement to help it maintain structural rigidity. The petrol-electric drivetrain of the standard LS600h saloon is used unchanged.
Historically, the concept of a landaulet was very popular with public figures - and especially dictators - as it allowed rear seat occupants to be seen by crowds (and possibly even to salute, at the risk of a face full of road debris.) The idea died out as the security risks of assassination became more obvious, although Maybach markets a landaulet version of its XXL 57.
The Lexus conversion was carried out by Belgian coachbuilder Carat Duchatelet and, probably unsurprisingly, it’s a one-off. After its wedding duties – most of which will be carried out in full electric mode – the car will be heading for display in Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum.
Lexus has revealed what it describes as a ‘one-off Landaulet version’ of the LS600h, which is set to serve as the royal wedding car when Prince Albert of Monaco gets married next month.
Unlike a traditional open landaulet, where rear-seat passengers sit in the open, the LS600h features a one-piece transparent polycarbonate roof at the back which has been manufactured using techniques normally employed for making the canopies of jet fighters. The car also uses extensive kevlar and carbonfibre reinforcement to help it maintain structural rigidity. The petrol-electric drivetrain of the standard LS600h saloon is used unchanged.
Historically, the concept of a landaulet was very popular with public figures - and especially dictators - as it allowed rear seat occupants to be seen by crowds (and possibly even to salute, at the risk of a face full of road debris.) The idea died out as the security risks of assassination became more obvious, although Maybach markets a landaulet version of its XXL 57.
The Lexus conversion was carried out by Belgian coachbuilder Carat Duchatelet and, probably unsurprisingly, it’s a one-off. After its wedding duties – most of which will be carried out in full electric mode – the car will be heading for display in Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,018
Likes: 0
From: CA™
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvO1B...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig461...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc4n_...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irGWb...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsvQM...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAZ5H...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SslHl...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig461...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc4n_...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irGWb...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsvQM...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAZ5H...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SslHl...layer_embedded
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 22,608
Likes: 105
From: Waiting for next track day
http://youtube.com/watch?v=54tOGtzyVuQ
Thanks for adding the videos. I was just about to do that. I love the fact that he is using a Lexus but I would have almost assumed he would have gone with the Maybach laundulet
Thanks for adding the videos. I was just about to do that. I love the fact that he is using a Lexus but I would have almost assumed he would have gone with the Maybach laundulet
Last edited by bitkahuna; Jun 24, 2011 at 11:21 AM.
