Previously, the President of the Russian Federation traveled to Mercedes S600 Pullman, now moved to a limousine of domestic production. Everyone was talking about him a couple of months ago, and now you can objectively figure out what he is like.
So let's figure it out! You don't see that every day.
Who created the new limousine of the President of Russia?
Armored limousine Aurus Senate for the head of state was developed as part of the Cortege project. This is an unofficial name - the "Single Modular Platform" appears in the documents.
In fact, the platform is a set of basic components from which it is supposed to create a limousine, sedan, crossover and minivan.
The brand name is a combination of Latin aurum(gold) and Russia(Russia).
The idea of creating a Russian presidential limousine was voiced in 2012, and in February 2014 the project was fully launched. The development of the Cortege was carried out by the Automotive Research Institute in partnership with Porsche Engineering and Bosch Engineering. Participated in the development and Brembo, Magna, Haldex.
The production partner is Sollers- a concern whose main brand is UAZ. Special versions of Aurus will be assembled in small batches in Moscow. And mass production will be arranged at the facilities of the Ford-Sollers plant in Yelabuga.
The media reported that Russian companies would produce the bulk of the components for the limousine. Although among the 130 firms that were on the list of suppliers, there were many foreign giants.
What engine is in Putin's limousine?
Aurus Senate- hybrid: in addition to the main gasoline engine, there is also an electric motor. It is located between the engine and transmission. The electric motor took over three functions: in fact, the traction motor, starter and generator.
ICE for the presidential limousine is turbo engine V12 with a volume of 6.6 liters with a maximum power of 860 hp. and torque of 1300 Nm, designed Porsche. According to other sources, this is a 600-horsepower V8 engine with a volume of 4.4 liters.
The transmission is nine-speed and, of course, automatic. It was produced by the Moscow company KATE. A box without a torque converter, the developers assigned the clutch functions to the friction clutches of the planetary box.
Another feature is the controlled intelligent all-wheel drive system. True, the drive scheme here is parquet: with an automatic clutch and activation of the front axle on demand. Rear-wheel drive is expected for mass versions. There is also cruise control.
What is interesting outside and inside in the Cortege limousine
In the interior trim of the Cortege project cars, nappa leather, alcantara, pile carpets, natural wood and metal are used. Several color options:
The overall length of the limousine is 6.62 m, the width is 2 m, the height is 1.695 m, and the ground clearance is 200 mm. Weight - about 6 tons.
The body of the limousine resembles the latest Rolls-Royce models, in particular, the Phantom VIII, and different versions of the Ghost.
To develop the design of the car, a competition was announced. selected 25 options, showed Medvedev. He reduced the list to eight sketches, and they were sent to Putin. The sketch by Alexey Chvokin, a 2007 MAMI graduate, won.
Well, here is an option from ZIL:
This is what the crossover will look like:
However, the design of the Aurus minivan generally resembles a hearse:
High technology abandoned for the sake of security
The presidential limousine has a digital instrument panel. But the multimedia system Doesn't even have a touch screen and does not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. They were abandoned for security reasons. Indeed, suddenly hackers break into the car and interfere with its work.
However, there are still plenty of screens in the cabin. But, probably, the data is output to them either locally (from a flash drive?), Or transmitted over secure communication channels.
How much does Putin's limousine and its development cost?
Russian budget spent on the development of a presidential limousine 12.4 billion rubles. The total investment in the project is estimated at 22-24 billion. It is known that the investment fund of Tawazun from the UAE will invest about 110 million euros (8 billion rubles) in the project.
It would seem that what did not suit the Mercedes S600 Pullman for 1.4 million euros (103 million rubles)? It's all about prestige.
Indeed, British Prime Minister Theresa May Jaguar XJ, French President Emmanuel Macron Citroen DS7 Crossback and Renault Espace, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel Audi A8 Long, Emperor of Japan Akihito Toyota Century Royal, US President Donald Trump has a custom Cadillac nicknamed The Beast made in the USA, inherited from Barack Obama.
Even the Secretary General of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping, has a domestic FAW Hong Qi HQE for a million US dollars, however, on the chassis Land Cruiser Prado and with details from the Germans and Japanese.
And in general, the tradition of switching to domestic went back from Stalin. During the Civil War, he, as head of the Revolutionary Military Council, was given an American Packard Twin Six, then he moved to the Packard Twelve 14 series - a gift from Roosevelt. But he instructed to arrange the production of domestic cars that would be no worse. So appeared ZIS-101.
Khrushchev, as General Secretary, traveled in an armored ZIS-115 and open ZIS-110, and later on ZIL-111G, "inspired" by the Cadillac Fleetwood 75. But he himself liked to drive a nationalized Cadillac Fleetwood convertible from Hitler's headquarters near Vinnitsa.
By the way, only $15 million will be invested in the creation of a new version of The Beast for Trump.
How did Putin's limousine pass the crash tests?
Aurus Senat crash tests were carried out in Russia and Germany. In both series, he received the maximum five stars, said Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov.
The car withstands not only bullets, but also grenade explosion under the bottom- this is a normal practice for presidential cars. How exactly the security system is arranged, the developers did not tell.
But if the Mercedes S600 Pullman has VR9 level ballistic protection, then the Russian one should be no worse.
For understanding: Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard 2016 years armored steel sheets did not cover the body, but were part of it and were covered with a multi-layer fabric based on aramid fibers, and polycarbonate-coated multi-layer glass had a thickness of 6 cm.
Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard 2016
This armor can withstand machine gun fire 7.62 caliber steel-core bullets and explosions equivalent to 15 kg of TNT at a distance of up to 2 m. By the way, the Pullman door weighs 160 kg, so electric motors are used to open and close.
Before the crash tests, the cars drove about 10,000 test kilometers out of the required 100,000. They were tested on different road surfaces to make sure they were safe.
Aleksey Borovkov, head of the Computer Engineering Center, who, as part of the development team, created a car for the president, did not disclose exact data on crash tests, but noted that there were “significantly fewer real tests than required in the traditional approach.
Now, in general, in the global automotive industry, there is a decrease in the volume of full-scale tests - somewhere in 30-50 times it has decreased over 10 years. At the same time, the volume of virtual tests based on digital twins has increased by more than 100-150 times.
To get a virtual crash test of the entire car, you must first of all conduct virtual tests of each part, for each weld point, of which there are thousands - that is, at least 50 thousand virtual tests.
This is a lot - consider 50-100 virtual tests every day, especially if we want to make a car in terms of performance no worse, or even better, than similar cars from Mercedes or Rolls-Royce.
Where and when was Putin's limousine first shown?
Putin made his first public appearance in a Russian limousine at his May 7 inauguration. More precisely, in front of her: Putin drove a car with a number B776US77rus a few hundred meters along the territory of the Kremlin past Ivanovskaya Square, and after the ceremony I didn’t get into the limousine.
However, Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov mentally prepared everyone for this: they say, since Putin will arrive at the Grand Kremlin Palace from his office in the Senate Palace in the Kremlin, and not from the government building, the test drive will be short. But since earlier the first departure of the "Cortege" was promised just at the inauguration, I had to go.
However, the car was not fully prepared for the deadline. So, in February 2017, the Ministry of Industry and Trade stated that the project will be difficult to implement because of the restrictions imposed by the law on public procurement. And the sanctions did not add optimism.
In the summer of 2017, work on the crossover was suspended indefinitely. The reason is the lack of resources.
The technical implementation of the "Cortege" was to be handled by the company "Marusya Engineering", which prepared supercars. But she failed.
However, Aurus Senat was brought to the meeting with Trump in Helsinki on an IL-76 plane. There, the president traveled by car during all official events. Probably, in a couple of months, the limousine was quite well finalized.
Will it be possible to buy a limousine like Putin's?
Auto of the project "Cortege" is planned to be sent for free sale. They will also be released under the Aurus brand.
Cars will be named in honor of the Kremlin towers. The minivan will be called Arsenal, crossover - Komendant, sedan, like a limousine - Senate. Mass Aurus models can get a 600-horsepower V8 engine, an 860-horsepower V12 or a turbocharged L4 with 245 hp. With.
To order Aurus sedans and limousines will be available in August-September. Deliveries will begin in the first quarter of 2019, it is planned to produce 200 vehicles per year. After 2020, production will expand to a thousand cars a year, if there is demand. There are rumors that officials will be transplanted to them.
Minivans and crossovers will be ready only at the end of 2019. In 2018, it is planned to produce only 70 Aurus for the federal security service.
The average price of a stock Aurus car is about 10 million rubles. This is 20% cheaper than Rolls-Royce and Bentley, but more expensive than the base Mercedes S-Class.
What else can be in the limousine of the President of the Russian Federation
It is known that secure communication lines, a media player, a refrigerator, and a satellite communication system are installed in the Cortege. At ZIL-41052 was armored capsule. First they created it, and only then a car was built around it. Probably, a similar idea was implemented in the Cortege.
Detailed data on unusual chips in a limousine cannot be obtained for objective reasons, but you can think of them based on the declassified features of cars of top officials of other states.
Obama's (and Trump's) The Beast limousine even had a medical system: equipment and the latest medicines, as well as supplies of donated blood of the right Rh. The satellite phone has a direct link to the Pentagon and the Vice President.
In addition, The Beast includes night vision devices and its own operations center, a chemical attack defense system, oxygen plant and ventilation system. By the way, special air filters are installed on almost all presidential cars. The armor can withstand a hit from a hand grenade launcher.
If the Beast's Kevlar tires get damaged (they can't be punctured, so something stronger is needed), the limousine will go further on the rims, reaching speeds of up to 100 km / h. If the projectile hits the gas tank, it will not detonate - it is self-sealing.
The Beast's front bumper houses a night vision camera and tear gas cannons. An automatic fire extinguishing system is also provided. An interesting detail: there are no keyholes in the doors of the Beast.
Angela Merkel's car is also armored on all sides. In addition, the Audi A8 Long is a mobile office with high-speed secure Internet, satellite phone, video and audio communication.
V Bentley State Limousine Elizabeth II installed a system typical for armored cars of this brand. In special situations doors can shoot using squibs to ensure emergency evacuation of passengers.
V Mercedes S600 Pullman, which Putin used to drive, also, according to the specification, a self-sealing fuel tank, an automatic fire extinguishing system, and air cylinders were installed. There were hidden loopholes, compartments for storing weapons. The laminated windshield was 10 cm thick and weighed 130 kg.
It is noteworthy that in the garage of the President of the Russian Federation there is another limousine - an armored ZIL
Length - more than ten meters! Passenger capacity - sixteen people! But this is not a bus, as you immediately want to think, but an SUV.
Although, no, it’s not even an SUV at all, but a limousine. Or, as they say in the Western manner, stretch - "stretched". Yes, yes, they are stretched, and forcibly: more than twice. With more? Even more! Not every turn such a contraption will overcome in one go.
So, you probably already have questions. Then we have the answers. How does the limousine passenger feel? How does the driver of a tax-like car feel? How do the owners of such cars feel? We just found out about it. And they couldn't hide it from you.
A bucket of black caviar, a golden toilet bowl, a suitcase of dollars. Dimensionless limousines "for growth" in this associative series will look extremely harmonious. "Honey, I'll send a limousine for you" - doesn't that sound great? The metaphor "dear" in this context takes on true meaning.
However, only a very few can boast of their own limousine. It's not even about the cost of such a machine, but about the expediency of owning it. And in general - a limousine limousine strife. Here we have already come close to the classification.
Classification
What can not be called a limousine! An elongated executive class sedan - a limousine. A passenger car with a partition between the driver and passengers is again a limousine. Even an ordinary six-window sedan - also no, no, yes, and they will attribute it to limousines! In fact, according to the generally accepted classification, a limousine should be understood as a three-volume passenger body with four or six doors, having a partition behind the front row of seats. Well, it turns out that the Cadillac Escalade, which is depicted in our photographs in different poses, is not a limousine? Formally - no: the body here is two-volume! Nevertheless, any passer-by, noticing this elephant on the street, will not hesitate to comment - oh, "limousine"!
Then another concept comes into play - the aforementioned foreign word "stretch". Make any car "stretch" - and you will get the people's "limousine". Wrong, of course. But - publicly available and without unnecessary questions. I don't really want to be smart. Limousine means limousine.
The most expensive limousines, as a rule, are made from European high-end cars by the manufacturers themselves. A typical example is the Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman. Such machines do not strike the imagination with their appearance, but they are quite capable of stunning the price tag. And in the armored version, the price simply kills to death: half a million dollars is not the limit at all. By the way, the heads of many states drive such cars - ours, for example.
Another kind of limousine is often used as a taxi or for corporate purposes; are built on the basis of not the most expensive cars and can have up to six doors. Having met such a car on the street, I want to rub my eyes - it is painfully strange, such an “extension cable” even looks unnatural! In St. Petersburg, cars of this kind are sometimes found: it can be a Volvo 900 series, a Mercedes-Benz in the back of a W124, or a battered Opel Omega.
Well, then ... Stretches, super stretches, ultra stretches, hyper stretches, ultra super stretches - the imagination of the creators of such machines is inexhaustible. Sometimes one gets the impression that a limousine is not built to perform any task, but solely as a means of self-expression. 10 seats, 20 seats, 30 seats, TVs, DVD players, bar, restaurant, swimming pool, heliport, golf course, aquarium with a life-size working aircraft carrier model... Even if you don't know what else you could wish for - it will be in the limousine. Of course, a five-axle stretch with a pool instead of a trunk is quite exotic, a demonstration of the company's capabilities, a kind of limo concept. But a four-wheel drive jeep ten meters long, capable of accommodating a football team along with a bench, is, as you can see, a reality. You can touch it with your hand! And if there is a desire or need, then for quite human money you can become a caliph for an hour - from $ 200. And even cheaper.
The classic, most limousine limousine, usually built on the basis of the Lincoln Town Car. The fundamental point here is the presence of a frame: creating a stretch from a car with a load-bearing body is a much more troublesome and expensive task. And here everything is simple: the body of a serial car is cut exactly in the middle, and a box with windows is welded between the front and rear doors - the so-called insert. The length of the insert determines the class of the limousine: all these "super stretches" and "ultra stretches" in theory indicate the length of the car. "Town cars", as a rule, extend by 60-120 inches (1524-3048 mm), and SUVs can grow by 200 inches, and sometimes even more. It turns out more than five meters! Our Caddy is just that. Escalade itself is not a small car, it is also 100% elongated. We consider: 5,050 mm of own length plus 5,080 mm of acquired - in total, more than ten meters of luxury! But this is not the limit. The largest limousine in Russia based on the Ford Excursion lives in St. Petersburg - so it is even longer!
What happens to the frame? Alas, it is sad to take it into account: hello, junk. A new power structure is also adjusted to the new body - the extended frame will not be able to provide the necessary rigidity of the machine.
The production of limousines in the United States alone puzzled almost fifty firms. Of those that are heard - Tiffany Coachworks, Dream Coachworks, Krystal Enterprises and others. Together they do amazing things. Let's say the Dream range has a six-axle Lincoln Navigator, and Krystal can portray such an amazing creature as the Hummer H2 with eight doors!
In principle, the standard stuffing that American cars have is quite enough for a stretch: the engine and transmission remain intact. But the suspension and braking system can be strengthened - after all, the total mass of the car becomes a little more impressive. Again, you have to modify the exhaust system, bringing it into line with the new body length, as well as installing a new driveshaft with several intermediate supports. The limousine is considered completed when some other procedures are performed. Already guessed? That's right: an additional generator and battery appear in the list of electrical equipment, and the heating and air conditioning system becomes more productive - as required by the huge passenger compartment.
Interior space and decoration - that's what limousines are built for. Everything is for the good of man! And not just one - but for the whole company! The interior of the white Escalade is designed for 14 people, who have a mirrored bar with lighting at their disposal. In the bar - crystal decanters with wine glasses and buckets for champagne. There are also aquariums with playful plastic animals: the water bubbles and changes colors, the animals frolic and please the eye. The only thing missing is pineapple and hazel grouse.
Stars twinkle on the mirrored ceiling - then multi-colored LEDs romantically depict the sky. In the partitions located at the ends of the cabin, LCD TVs are mounted, and two more monitors are sheltered on the side racks. The signal to them comes either from a DVD player or from a VCR - these devices are located at floor level under the seats. Above the VIP seats, there is a control panel for everything, and next to the remote control is the head unit of a hi-fi audio system with two 12-inch subwoofers: it can burst so that any passer-by man crosses himself! You can arrange a disco by illuminating the intimate twilight with flashes of strobe lights and filling the interior space with artificial smoke and laser beams. And you can turn off all of the above at once, or ask the driver about it - there is a similar remote control in the cockpit.
In the same cabin, however, there is something else. For example, a walkie-talkie to communicate with the dispatcher. There are also other gadgets that are vital for the driver.
Driver
Is it difficult to drive a limousine? According to Sergey, Escalade driver, you can get used to everything. Of course, there are a lot of restrictions for a long-wheelbase car. So, let's say, you have to lay out a route in advance: the ultra-superstretch will not go into every turn the first time. Although in general it is possible to drive everywhere in the city, in some places it is not without problems. Surprisingly, the degree of turn is not at all the most significant characteristic of the street. Much more important is the width of the roadway! However, for a professional, there are practically no problems with maneuvering. Have you ever seen how masterful truckers on hefty wagons pass backwards - on the mirrors? In this sense, riding a limousine is even easier: you won’t add up with all your desire.
Do limousine drivers violate traffic rules? Only when it is caused by extreme business necessity. The most common violation is a turn into the oncoming lane or a turn in the wrong place. The traffic police inspectors, being fascinated by the grandeur of the stretch itself and the highest professionalism of its driver, treat some sins condescendingly. And in general - everyone respects a limousine. In an attempt to turn around in cramped road conditions (and for a car over ten meters long, almost any U-turn in the city is fraught with well-known complications), stretch can block the street and gather an impressive crowd of cars, but few drivers will begin to convulsively hysteria with a horn to the clumsy giant. What if inside - the wedding sings and dances? Why do people spoil the festive mood? But the speed limit is respected always and everywhere. Even with a margin - the company itself forbids the driver to reach speeds of more than 40 km / h. Although everyone understands that a multi-hundred-strong machine is capable of much more.
By the way, the gross weight and passenger capacity of an extra-long limousine impose special requirements on drivers, the main of which is the presence of an open bus category "D". However, random people do not drive limousines: in most cases they are super professionals. Like Sergei, he has all categories open. Exceptions are rare. Here are a couple of examples from the life of the personnel of the World of Limousines company. The first frame is an Afro-Russian, who, however, did not take root in the company: his poor knowledge of the city let him down. The second frame (or "kadrsha"?) is a female driver. However, she also had to leave. Only now there is no need for male chauvinism here! The girl handled the limousine very successfully. Until family circumstances forced me to change jobs to a quieter one. What? History is silent.
Almost forgot to tell about lotions. There are not so many of them. The most interesting is the toggle switch, which awakens the piercing fanfare of solemn sounding. Sergei turns them on when reversing. In the mirror, you can see, of course, a lot, but not all. In addition, it is important that not only you see, but also you are seen - also. Paying attention to yourself is the best way to avoid problems.
Problems
Actually, there are no special problems with the functioning of a limousine in the city. But there are interesting features. Take, for example, maintenance and repair. At the World of Limousines, a specially trained person monitors the technical condition. He does some repairs. However, he, of course, is not omnipotent: after all, a modern car requires a proprietary service. Do you fancy a limousine on a lift? No. Because there are no such lifts, on which all ten meters of a jeep could be piled up. But the stretch can drop into the pit, which usually happens. In general, there is a problem, but it can be solved. It just takes ingenuity.
Did you know that a limousine is actually a bus? At least, this is evidenced by customs documents: these cars come to the country under the guise of bonneted buses. So here it is.
The most popular limousines are on days rich in celebrations. In St. Petersburg, this is usually the season of white nights - gentlemen, book cars in advance! The second burst of customer activity occurs around New Year's Eve. By the way, 80% of limousine customers are newlyweds of various ages and destinies. The remaining percentages fall on graduations and anniversaries of anniversaries, as well as all those cases that fall under the definition of "other": all kinds of excursions, movements of dear guests and just the fulfillment of someone's innermost dreams - to drive a luxury car.
We thank the World of Limousines company for their help in preparing the material.
Text: Kirill Brevdo
A man flies to the airport, suddenly they run up to him:
- Dear signor Pavarotti, well, finally ... And we are waiting for you, waiting ...
The man answers:
- You're wrong, guys. I'm not Pavarotti at all...
And to him:
- Signor Luciano, we understand everything, no one will know, complete incognito ...
They put him in a luxury limousine. Man again:
- I'm telling you, I'm not Pavarotti ... I never knew how to sing. Well
for business?
- Don't worry, Luciano, no reporter will sniff out...
They bring you to a superhotel, give you the best room.
- Well, are you crazy? Well, I'm tired already. Which Pavarotti am I?
- Signor Luciano, well, we agreed, everything will be as you want,
secret...
They lead to a small hall, the table is amazingly set for two, caviar,
lobsters...
Man sitting at the table
- You guys are crazy, I tell you for sure. Cretins. twenty times
I repeat...
At this moment, the door opens, a stunned chick enters, smiling,
takes a second chair...
Man (in all his throat):
- About salt, about salt myo!!
"Get over everything!"
Ukraine to be in Europe! -
(Do not sit for a century in dill!)! -
Saakashvilin's new plan -
The fruit of all three of his convolutions!
(Sorry, does not see the plan Europe
And through a microscope!
Ukraine is a shield, a redoubt,
All paths lead to it!
What is the protection of that Europe,
Do not push the fool
And indebted to Kiev,
What is not given to the "enemy"!
“I wish Europe could see
We have a partner, not a slave!
Europeans! Not in Versailles
Your value is in our fat!”
Embracing the European spirit
Miho created the "roc" movement.
And to every Khokhol of Georgians
I promised a limousine
But his wife, Khokhlushka -
Only for a diamond-trinket ...
Shakes Miho with a rusty trident -
To the fear of all other superpowers!
Superpower of Europe: Saakashvili promised to raise Ukraine from its knees in 5 years. The Independent may become a leading player in European politics. The European Union will not survive without Ukraine, and, in fact, Europe is indebted to the Ukrainians. Kiev can dictate its terms.
At the beginning of the war, the Archduke's Mercedes car fell into the hands of the Austrian commander, General Patevek. The cavalry led by him did not win a single battle, and his car, which was used as a staff car, constantly brought bad news from the front. After the defeat of the general's troops at Valjevo, Patevek was forced to resign. He retired to his estate, where he soon went mad and died suddenly. At this time, one captain laid eyes on a luxurious limousine, who in 1915 crashed into a military truck on it. The accident killed the driver, the captain himself and two of his orderlies.
After the end of the war, the ill-fated car passes into the hands of the military commandant of Yugoslavia. In 1919, the car, turning over once again, kills the driver, and the commandant lost his right arm. On this, the military service of the fatal car ended, and in 1923 it was auctioned off to a successful doctor.
However, less than two years later, the car gets into another accident - on a completely flat road, it suddenly turned over, and the doctor died. At the same time, two peasants walking along the roadside were crippled.
The trail of blood behind the damned car stretched further. After the tragic death of the Aesculapius, he changed four more owners, three of whom also died in an accident, and the fourth committed suicide. In the future, pedestrians died under the wheels of this car, as well as one car mechanic who checked it after the next repair. Its last owner, Tibor Hirschfeld, was returning from a wedding with his fiancée and four friends when he collided with a bus at full speed. All died.
The total number of victims of the killer car was simply terrible - 22 people! Now this car, after reconstruction, is in the museum of the city of Vienna. And these - some kind of incompetent caught. They do not want to pay for the work done - and that's it. They trump with their coolness, involvement in one "socio-political union". In general, radishes are natural ...
I just decided to quit my job, to move to the capital. And so the chief, when I came to him for the calculation, directly said this:
- Your client? Your. Do they owe us? One hundred pounds. So, go ahead and collect the debt as you like. Bring the loot - I'll pay you as much as you should, but if not - I'm sorry.
I looked at myself in the mirror... Skinny bespectacled nerd. The suit is cheap, with a colorful tie in the fashion of the time. Well, who will not only be afraid of me, but will take me seriously? But there is nothing to do... I sat down in my broken-down kopeck and drove to the office of the debtors. And they lodged on the outskirts, next to the factories. I arrived, I go into the reception room to the chief, I am interested in the subject of his presence. No, they say. Well, okay, I answer, I'll wait for him on the street, in the car.
I go out - and I realize that I don’t even know what he looks like. Only the first name and patronymic was given to me. But to return, to ask - somehow undignified. Wandered to his penny. Sat, I'm waiting. One, two, three. So as not to be bored - I grabbed a book, I read it, but I periodically glance at the bookmark - a photo of my beautiful wife.
Parked the car in front of the entrance to the building. My calculation - as soon as a cool limousine arrives - so I'll go straight to it and go up. No one except their director can move in such transport.
I sat until the evening - no limousines arrived. In general, the parking lot is somehow empty, and no one enters or leaves the building. Only the curtain at the reception window sometimes sways.
At 8 o'clock it became completely dark - I think there is no point in waiting any longer. The area is again not the most peaceful - there is nothing for me to do here at night. Left home sloppy slurping.
The next day, exactly the same. He came - he asked - he was sent - he went into the car - he sat until the evening. And again - silence, only the birds chirp.
And on the third day, in the morning, our chief caught me. He took me to the office. Hands over a plump envelope. I recalculated - there, in addition to what I was supposed to, there is still a large amount. I raise my eyes to him with a dumb question.
- Paid, he says. Today the money has gone down.
- And also, he says, their leader called me on the pipe early in the morning: “You misunderstood us, we don’t want war. And we don’t need to send a feller.”
A feller is a killer, if anyone didn't know.
“I immediately copied him: a drisch in glasses, mows down like a student. The car is obviously stolen, sits, pretends to read a book - and he grazes the entrance, and checks with the photo. Nerves, of course, he has ropes: insolently so in plain sight flaunts, does not hide, is not afraid that he himself will be removed. A seasoned beast, in short." Kachok, furious: - Grandfather !!! I am tired of you!!! It's a press!!! Do you understand?!! Vladimir Vladimirovich approaches
homeless and shouting:
Tolyan! Hi, how are you? Where
gone? Let's have dinner tonight!
Tolya answers him:
Not Volodya, I can't. I work,
come on tonight.
Well, they agreed, Putin got into
car and left. New Russian
just in shock! Suddenly pulls up
second limousine, getting out of it
Lukashenka and shouts to the homeless:
Tolya, hello! How are you? Where
gone? Let's have dinner tonight! ?
Tolya says:
I can't today, I'm with Putin
agreed, let's go tomorrow?
Well, in short, they agreed. New
Russian meanwhile fell to zero.
He approaches the homeless man and asks:
How do you know such people?
is it a bum?
I don't even know those!
Do you know the Pope?
Well, I know.
The new Russian thought and said:
Let's do this: I'm paying for our trip
to Rome if I see you standing
on the balcony with the Pope, then I will give
you have so much money that your
grandchildren in the 13th generation. Bum
agreed. The next day they
arrived in Rome, in the square near
A bum is sitting near the station begging. There is a new Russian, he sees this picture, well, something jumped in his heart, he approaches the homeless man, throws him 100 bucks and goes into the car. Before he had time to sit down, a limousine drove up and Putin got out of there. Vladimir Vladimirovich approaches the homeless man and shouts: Tolyan! Hi, how are you? Where did you disappear to? Let's have dinner tonight! Tolya answers him: Not Volodya, I can’t. I'm working, come on in the evening. Well, they agreed, Putin got into the car and left. The new Russian is simply shocked! Suddenly a second limousine drives up, Lukashenka gets out of it and shouts to the homeless: Tolya, hello! How are you? Where did you disappear to? Let's have dinner tonight! ? Tolya says: Today I can’t, I agreed with Putin, let’s do it tomorrow? Well, in short, they agreed. New Russian, meanwhile, fell to zero. He approaches the homeless person and asks: How do you know such people, are you a homeless person? I don't even know those! Do you know the Pope? Well, I know. The new Russian thought and said: Let's do this: I pay for our trip to Rome, if I see that you are standing on the balcony with the Pope, then I will give you so much money that will be enough for your grandchildren in the 13th generation. The bum agreed. The next day they arrived in Rome, on the square near the Vatican, millions of people, they went to the front rows, the new Russian remained, and Tolya went. He passed all the security, he was greeted. The new Russian looks at the balcony and sees that Tolya sits at the table with the Pope and eats with him. Then they stood up and began to wave to the people who came to the square. Suddenly, Tolya sees that the new Russian has fainted. The next day they met, and Tolya asks: Why did you lose consciousness? Well, I can understand Putin, I can understand Lukashenka, but when the Chinese delegation arrived and asked the guide: "Who is this in white standing next to Tolik?"
When we see an elongated car on the streets of the city, we immediately call it a limousine and follow it with admiration and bewilderment. We admire the scope, we imagine the luxury of interior decoration, show business stars or real oligarchs sitting on leather sofas and eating caviar with spoons.
And we are perplexed because we cannot understand the expediency of such a car. It is obvious that a limousine is not easy on corners, one OSAGO is clearly not enough for its safety, it is not suitable for 90% of the purposes for which we use a car, and in general a limousine often seems like a colossus on clay feet.
By the way, the main reason that the owners of limousines can be counted on the fingers is not at all the huge cost of such cars. There are many more expensive models, which are more in demand. The reason is precisely in the specifics of the car and the too narrow possibilities of its application. It is unlikely that a person in their right mind would buy an armored limousine just to ride around the city in style.
That is why there are only a few owners of such cars around the world. But companies that rent limousines are buying them much more actively. The benefits of such a rental car can be easily imagined without even using the Casco calculator.
Nowadays, limousines are used with might and main at the box office. That is, you can order a limousine for a certain, very moderate fee for such pleasure, which will pick you up from the entrance and take you wherever you say. This is especially true for weddings, social events and chic club parties, where you really want to arrive in all its glory.
The salon of a limousine is a museum, a disco and a bar at the same time. What manufacturers just do not come up with to improve the already luxurious interiors of limousines. Here you can find an imitation of the starry sky, and aquariums, and a laser show, complete with professional sound, which can deafen the nearby block.
The passenger of a limousine, or passengers (after all, this car can easily accommodate an entire hockey team) is not just comfortable during the trip. They are provided with everything they can dream of - from a variety of alcoholic drinks to satellite Internet. You can live and work in a limousine, and this car is ideal for those who cannot be distracted from their business even for a second.
That is why the president travels in such a machine, that is why so many people dream of it, for whom the benefit of using such a machine covers all worries about its inexpediency and too high cost.
When we talk about limousines, the hackneyed axiom about luxury, cars and vehicles loses its meaning. This not the fastest, not the safest and not the most comfortable car to drive is the focus of the concept of comfort, status and wealth. It is for these qualities that absolutely insane money is paid.
The first limousines
Initially, a limousine was called one of the varieties of the car body. However, after wealthy segments of the population fell in love with cars with just this type of body, the term limousine began to be understood as an expensive, executive vehicle. According to the generally accepted ideas of that time, the body of the "classic" limousine was required to have a rigid partition that separated the driver's area of the car and the passenger space of the passenger compartment. The number of side windows is at least four, the number of doors is the same. The limousine salon necessarily had two rows of passenger seats, the third row, separated by a movable partition, was intended for the driver and accompanying persons. Very often, the driver's seat remained open, in contrast to the passenger seats, hidden in a solid body.
The first limousines
One of the first manufacturers of serial limousines was the famous American designer Henry Leland, who founded such giants of the automotive industry as Cadillac and Lincoln Motor at the beginning of the last century. Leland's limousines featured such innovative ideas as an electric starter, V-piston powertrain and the world's first hardtop, metal roof. In the early 1920s, Henry Leland sold his company to another building genius, Henry Ford, who took limousine production to the next level. From that moment on, Lincolns and Cadillacs are an integral part of the fleet of millionaires and presidents.
European companies are picking up on the idea of American designers. Similar products from Bentley Motors Ltd, Rolls-Royce Limited, Mercedes-Benz and other flagships of European engineering appear on the automotive market of the Old World. European limousines are preferred by royalty and great leaders. For example, the notorious V. I. Lenin used the products of Rolls-Royce, the official supplier of the Royal Court of Great Britain.
Rolls-Royce cars
Joseph Stalin preferred products of the Soviet automobile industry - limousines of a factory of his own name - ZIS 101, ZIS 110, ZIS 115
Stretch-Limousine - cars for the "stars"
Over time, a limousine becomes part of the image of a wealthy and famous person. The customers of prestigious cars were not only wealthy buyers, but also those who were thirsty for the external paraphernalia of the elite society. Limousines were acquired by eccentric pop and movie stars, seeking to consolidate the status of "truly famous." It was during this period of the history of limousines that the time of unusual Stretch projects falls. New customers want to have a limousine based on the body of a car of a popular brand. Donors of Stretch-Limousine are popular models of full-size cars, SUVs and sports cars. These types of limousines are assembled either by the owners of small workshops or large tuning studios.
It is these projects that amaze the public with their size, unusual body shapes and unique interiors.
Limousine interiors
A modern limousine is a VIP service worker
Today, limousines are no longer popular. Yesterday's attribute of wealth has given way to expensive luxury cars. Experts attribute this trend to modern ideas about the lifestyle of a wealthy person. Most people from this layer no longer strive for pretentious attributes, preferring the aesthetics of rare and expensive hand-built cars to the "window dressing" of limousines.
The lot of the “remaining afloat” models of limousines was work in the VIP service. However, on special occasions, most passengers still use a limousine. "Stars", athletes, politicians, couples in love - prefer to "appear in public" exclusively in limousines. And this means that this vehicle has acquired a cult status and will forever remain in human culture.
