The term "limousine" came from the name of the Shepherds ' hoods, who lived in the French province of Limousin. The appearance of the Shepherds of the Penza shepherds is considered to resemblence the first cars with this type of bodywork.
In European countries, a large number of cars fall under the limousine category. In Germany, for example, the limousine refers to any closed body type, which has two or more doors, four or more windows, and has a rigid roof. Thus, the term "Limousine" is covered by the estate station wagon and hatchback. In France, this term refers to the closed body of a passenger car, which is equipped with a lift glass bulkhead between the driver's compartment and the passenger compartment.
Types of limousines and features
The limousines are divided into several types. The first type is classic. Classical limousines or, as they are called, factory limousines, are built on specially designed elongated platform and therefore have an extended body. The base is usually taken from the sedan, increases the wheelbase, the roof between the front and back doors is extended, and adds a third pair of windows. In these classic limousines, the driver's space is separated from the rest of the cabin by a glass bulkhead with a lifting mechanism. Such vehicles include domestic ZIL, some North American production limousines, as well as British Bentley and Rolls-Royce.
The second type of limousine, which is also the most common of our time, is "limousine". It is distinguished from classical factory vehicles that they are not manufactured by manufacturers, but by specialized companies. To do so, they use ready-made standard cars, and literally "punt" into the body an additional section between the front and back doors.
Most of the limousines have a smart design-such a review avoids the translation of the body. At the same time, it is worth to understand that now the cars with ramblers are practically not produced, modern cars have a bearing body, therefore the source for limousines is not so much. Cadillac automobiles were used in the past, but now Cadillac produces cars with load-bearing bodies. For this reason, the full-size models of Lincoln and the smart SUVs are popular-they are now doing a limousine sketch.
It's worth mentioning Pullman-Limousine. The phrase came on behalf of the founder of Pulman, George Pulman, who was a famous American industrialist and inventor. His company was involved in the construction of train and railway cars. He was famous for building comfortable sleeping cars. At some point, his last name became synonymous with "luxury and comfort." Thus, in the European languages the term "pulman-limousine" is replaced by a car with three rows of seats equipped with a partition between the driver and the passenger.
History
The country that gave the limousine world to the United States of America. Their story began in the first decade of the 20th century. Then in America there was a demand for luxury premium cars. And the demand, as you know, is the birth of a proposal. The names of the mechanics who first risked a car and made a trim in history were not preserved. The first extended car was so successful that it was lined up. And the resourceful mechanics laid the foundation of the limo tradition-they rented out their only extended car rental.
The most important figure on the premium car market was Henry Leland, the founder of Cadillac and Lincoln. These marks have been used by the US presidents for more than half a century.
Interesting facts
In Russia, engineers and simple motorists collect limousines from three and sometimes more cars. For example, a limousine was created with three Zaporozhtzi limousines, which has been named "Zinžono".
And in America, they created a limo, taking the hull of the Boeing 727. Moreover, the resulting car is one of the fastest limousines in the world-it has managed to develop a speed of 200 km/h.
But the record speed record is a limousine built on the basis of the supercar Ferrari 360 Modena-its maximum speed exceeds 250 km/h.
The world's longest limousine was designed by John Orberg over 30 meters in length. There is a kitchen, an office, a bedroom and even a swimming pool.
Well-known British entrepreneur Richard Branson developed a limousine amphibious, which crossed the Channel 1 hour and 40 minutes. And his limo isn't in the garage, Branson's using it to transport passengers from the middle of London to Heathrow airport on the Thames River.