Popular Mechanics compiled a list of the
7 best big sedans for the money with the
Toyota Avalon topping the list. The Avalon has an MSRP of
$33,195 and 121.3 cubic feet of space, and for this price class, it’s tough to beat. It’s roomy, has a quiet interior and a nice finish. The article says it’s a “big car with the smoothest engine of any of our list…and a ride that errs on the soft side,” and calls it “a Lexus minus the Lexus name” (and price, for that matter).
-- Michael Campos, LCT assistant editor
A charity Halloween party consumes my life.
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The electric vehicle’s added space may be perfect for clients who bring a little extra luggage. The rear trunk is 28.7 cubic feet, rising to 58.1 cubic feet with the aft seats collapsed, and the front trunk – yes,
front trunk – is 8.1 cubic feet.
The
Model S is the first all-electric luxury sedan and has an estimated price range of $50,350 - $79,350. It reaches 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and will be on sale in the U.S. in mid-2012. The “Signature” trim of the Model S will carry a 300-mile range battery.
-- Michael Campos, LCT assistant editor
“The light body shell of the A8 came into its own and returned an incredible 50.4 miles to the gallon at the end of the journey, according to the vehicle’s trip computer — the A8 houses a 3.0 V6 diesel engine,” the publication wrote.
The A8 brochure suggests the combined miles per gallon should be 42.8, with a highway figure of 48.7 mpg.
Can you beat these numbers? Email us with your story and photograph of your MPG display at
michael@lctmag.com, or post your story in the comments section below!
Michael Campos, LCT assistant editor
2013 VEHICLE PREVIEWS: New retail versions of several vehicles of interest to the chauffeured transportation industry are debuting at the annual Los Angeles Auto Show Nov. 18-27.
Lincoln will unveil updated MKT and MKS models with new grilles; Cadillac plans to showcase its much anticipated XTS sedan with an advanced technology system called Cue.
Lincoln debuted its livery version, the 2013 Lincoln MKT Town Car on Feb. 14 at the 2011 International LCT Show in Las Vegas; Cadillac will debut its livery vesion XTS sedan at the 2012 ILCT Show on Feb. 13.
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This vehicle "scrimmage" in L.A. should set the stage for the big livery vehicle "showcase showdown" in Las Vegas: MKT v. XTS.
Late word at LCT is that the order bank for the Lincoln MKT Town Car officially opens Dec. 5, with the first "Job 1" vehicles delivered to Lincoln dealerships in March 2012. -- Martin Romjue, LCT editor
Do you negotiate on farm-in and farm-out jobs?
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As the U.S. economy struggles to regain its footing, operators would be wise to expand their global reach. See what markets are the best for business.
On this year’s list, Forbes has ranked Canada No. 1 out of 134 countries as the best country for business. The United States (barely) made it in the top 10, coming in at No. 10, one spot below last year’s rank of No. 9. Canada moved up from No. 4 in last year’s rankings thanks to its improved tax standing, and the U.S. has been hurt by its heavy tax burden (this year it surpassed Japan to have the highest corporate tax rate among developed countries).
Forbes determined the best countries for business by looking at 11 different factors including property rights, innovation, taxes, technology, corruption, freedom (personal, trade and monetary), red tape, investor protection and stock market performance.
Forbes used research and published reports from the Central Intelligence Agency, Freedom House, Heritage Foundation, Property Rights Alliance, Transparency International, the World Bank and World Economic Forum to compile the rankings.
-- Michael Campos, LCT assistant editor
SOURCE: TMZ; Times of India
-- Michael Campos, LCT assistant editor
EVERY VEHICLE HAS ITS VIRTUES: Finally, a positive review of the MKT. It's been a long time coming. After all the hand-wringing about the transition from the Town Car Executive L to the Lincoln MKT, the Orlando Sentinel (Fla.) newspaper has published an auto review of the retail version of the MKT that calls it a "likable, loaded, luxury crossover SUV."
Some standout excerpts: "No complaints about the front two rows, though. The MKT is as luxurious and comfortable as a Lincoln is supposed to be."
"On the highway, the MKT is an excellent companion, reasonably nimble for its size and very quiet. Safety features abounded. . ."
"Earlier this year, Lincoln unveiled a "Town Car" version of the MKT that it hopes to sell to commercial customers – available is a heavy-duty chassis that can be stretched by 10 feet."
One slight shocker is the price: $49,200, base; $57,775 loaded. While Ford Fleet Limousine & Livery Vehicles has not yet disclosed a price for the 2013 Lincoln MKT Town Car (likely to be lower than the retail version), the retail MKT price falls into the same pricing range as the former Cadillac DTS and Mercedes E-Class sedans. -- Martin Romjue, LCT editor
So many champagne flutes and rocks glasses mysteriously vaporize or splinter.
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BURNING FOR LIVERY: Singer-songwriter
Catie Curtis has found inspiration in the form of a burning limousine and named her latest album after the incident. “About a year ago, [I saw a limousine on fire], and as soon as I saw it, I started singing to myself,” Curtis said. “And yes, everyone got out alive. The title track is about coping with difficulty by noticing that everybody has bad days.”
-- Michael Campos, LCT assistant editor
LIMO APPLICATIONS seem endless; just when we think we've seen every kind of limo vehicle, along comes an ambulance with limo amenities, according to a report in Crain's New York Business.The natural reaction of course would be to wonder why an ambulance patient would even care about the mahogany, surround sound, and 300-thread count linens. Isn't the goal to have good equipment that keeps you alive while getting to a hospital as fast as possible? But then. . . there's the grandfather in the nursing home who wants to attend a grandson's wedding, or a mother on her way home with a newborn. With the aging of the American population, it'll be interesting to see if there is a market for limo ambulances. -- Martin Romjue, LCT
2013 MY CHANGES IN THE WORKS: Car & Driver Magazine spotted a Lincoln MKT test vehicle with
a thinner, more refined front grille being tried out for possible styling changes. From the C&D blog: "The 2013 Lincoln MKT is slated to go on sale in spring 2012, and it should make its first public appearance at November’s Los Angeles auto show." Of course, the
2013 Lincoln MKT Town Car prototype actually debuted Feb. 14 at the 2011 International LCT Show in Las Vegas. --
Martin Romjue, LCT.
A bad slice of limo life: September was a month of bashing and bruising.
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MULTIPLIER EFFECT: We hear a lot about this concept in connection with President Obama's failed economic stimulus program, but the principle actually works in the private sector market of business travel. The latest figures show for every dollar spent on business travel, companies generate $12.50 in revenue and $3.80 in new profits. The International Business Times also reports on the top 10 most expensive and least expensive cities for business travel. Operators in or near the least expensive cities can market that to their advantage.
Complete business travel article, stats and lists here. --
Martin Romjue, LCT editor
The Bentley Mulsanne sedan’s rear seat will be outfitted with technology to help business clients stay productive on the road.
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