If you’re the stretch limo type…

If you really have the urge to be driven round in a horrendous stretch limo, you now have the chance to do it in Singapore…

The ride of your dreams is here

Monday December 24, 2007

Leong Wee Keat

Have you ever dreamt of being chauffeured around in style? Well, soon you can be driven around town in Singapore’s first 8-m-long super stretch limousine similar to those used by Hollywood stars at red-carpet events or billionaire businessmen like Donald Trump.

The silver Chrysler 300, which is due to arrive here today, will be the longest car ever to take to Singapore’s roads. The limousine, which seats eight passengers, is about twice the length of regular cars.

It comes with a J-shaped leather couch; a fully-stocked bar complete with ice bucket for champagne; a stereo, DVD player and LCD television screen for entertainment; as well as tinted windows for privacy and special lighting that can be adjusted to suit every mood.

Mr A J Singh, the managing director of Lotus Limousines, told Today that the idea behind bringing in the luxury cars was to cater to the anticipated boom in high-end visitors during the Formula 1 Grand Prix race next September and the high-rollers who are likely to patronise the two integrated resorts being built here.

“I foresee that the arrival of super stretch limousines in Singapore will no doubt add value to jet-set events like the annual IndoChine Festival and for Singapore’s first ever F1 race,” he added. “We’ve been back and forth in negotiations for a long time to make this happen, and the day has finally come.”
Lotus Limousines approached the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in May and LTA spokesperson Suhana Kharudin told Today that the company has been given “in-principle approval” to import the cars. LTA also confirmed that they “would be the longest stretch limousines to be registered in Singapore”.

Previously, six stretch limousines were registered here, each about 6m long. However five have since been deregistered, leaving only one stretch limousine still registered to a private hire company.

If this new venture takes off, Lotus Limousines is hoping to register a fleet of as many as 10 stretch limousines before the end of next year. And this fleet may even include a Hummer stretch model.

Lotus Limousines’ Mr Singh did not say how much it cost to import the Chrysler 300, only that it was a “high six-figure sum”. But he added that he has received a few enquiries for New Year’s Eve and weddings.

Cruising in the Chrysler will not come cheap it costs $100 per person per hour to rent the limousine. And for alcoholic drinks, be prepared to pay at least $35 extra per person per hour. Renting other limousine services, which use standard Mercedes S or E class cars cost a total of $95 to $200 an hour.
Industry players told Today that there is definitely room for such luxury limousine services here.

Concert promoter Lauretta Alabons, director of LAMC Productions, which recently brought heavy metal band Megadeth to Singapore, said she would consider ferrying her stars around in a limousine, if “the price is right”.

Ms Hannah Chong, who owns wedding consultancy Heaven’s Gift, said she has had earlier requests from clients for a stretch limousine.

“Clients might be interested in creating a theme wedding with the stretch limousine as a prop to add a touch of glamour,” she said.

Chauffeurs for the new stretch limousines will be required to undergo a rigorous two-week training course and will require a Class 4 driving licence, rather than a normal Class 3 one for cars here.

The only question now, quipped one motoring observer tongue in cheek is whether stretch limousines, being double the length of normal cars, ought to pay double the Electronic Road Pricing charges.

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/228918.asp