There’s never been a better time to be in the market for a luxury limousine in this country! Apart from the Audi A8L that you see on this page, there are a few other contenders for your hard-earned money that are well worth considering.
MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS
This was the car that kick-started the luxury limousine segment in India, and it is widely considered to be the best thing on four wheels in the world. It has serious competition now, but it remains an incredibly well put-together car that gives you everything you could possibly want. There’s a choice of powerful and refined petrol and diesel engines, including rather mad AMG-tuned ones, for starters. The ride quality is still the benchmark that others aspire to and, coupled with high-quality, extremely tasteful interiors, you get a package that guarantees you instant attention and extra-attentive service wherever you go — the 3-pointed star still has huge brand value.
BMW 7 SERIES
More than any other car, it’s the current 7 Series that has taken the fight squarely to the S-Class. It’s come a long way from the much-maligned ‘Bangle’ version and is a genuine contender for the ‘best car in the world’ title. Like all BMWs, it is biased more towards performance and handling, but still manages to combine these with fantastic interiors and creature comforts that make any journey an absolute breeze. Like the S-Class, you get a variety of engine options, with some of BMW’s renowned diesel powerplants taking centre stage; for the full range of fireworks, opt for the thunderous, 12-cylinder petrol-powered 760 Li
JAGUAR XJ
The new kid on the block has been winning the hearts and minds of luxury-oriented buyers abroad for some time now, and it’s the perfect way to stand out from the crowd. It looks great, more like a sports coupe than a limousine, and the interiors are absolutely superb, with little touches not found in the competition. Right now, there’s a choice between a fantastic 5-litre V8 petrol and an extremely powerful 3-litre V6 diesel engine, and you can’t go wrong with either; the petrol is worth buying just for the glorious noise it makes. Buy one of these and you’re telling the world ‘I’m different, and I stand apart.’
