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Lexus LS600hL: the clear choice for a wedding car

2011-06-27 10:04

In recent years, Prince Albert of Monaco has become known around the world as one of the planet's most tireless environmental campaigners. And if critics point to the survival of the Principality as something of an anachronism in today's democratic Europe, he has an answer: not only have the Grimaldis proved to be a highly sustainable commodity, but also - as head of state of one of the world's wealthiest countries - he has ensured that sustainability and green living are never far from the minds of his subjects.

To make the point, the car which will sweep the Prince and his new bride from the Palace to the church of Sainte Devote will be the Lexus hybrid LS600hL landaulet, specially adapted and strengthened by Belgian coach-builders Carat Duchatelet to take a transparent roof canopy, allowing the expectant crowds that all-important glimpse of the newlyweds.



The midnight-blue Lexus LS600hL is a 5-litre luxury sedan whose motor, assisted by an electric power unit, delivers the performance of a V12 with the fuel efficiencies of a V8.

In 2007, Prince Albert became the owner of the very first LS600h, and it quickly became the state car of choice for other princes and presidents around the globe.  Among those known to have been driven in an LS600h are the King of Norway, the Queen of Denmark, the President of Chile and Iceland, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, and the Prime Minister of Japan. Since that time, Lexus have been official suppliers to the Prince of Monaco, making them the clear choice for Wedding Day!


^{The Lexus L600hL (photo: Lexus)}

The wedding procession on 2 July will follow a route from the Rocher down to Port Hercule and along Boulevard Albert I to the church of Sainte Dévote, where the bouquet-laying ceremony will take place; and it is expected that for most of the route the slow speed will mean the LS600hL can operate solely on electric power. After the wedding, the car will be displayed at Monaco's Oceanographic Museum.