What is a Limousine?

The literal meaning for a limousine is "a cloak." In France, "Limousine" means any passenger vehicle. Earlier on dictionarys defined "limousine" as an automobile with a permanently enclosed compartment for 3-5 people, with a roof projecting over the front driver's seat. In London we now define a Limousine as a long white stretch vehicle synominous with celebritys and young crazed party animals. In the US, the word "limousine" does not carry the same connotation as it does here in the UK. A limousine is seen as any large executive car over there.

Is this the end of the stretch?

Many people in the UK now see the classic stretch limousine as 'Tacky'. Does this mean that the stretch Limousine has had its day? I think there will always be a desire for young people to travel together in large numbers or packs, and in their minds they are traveling in style. The professional in his or her thirties who is looking for a glamorous way to travel to Ascot wouldn't be seen dead in a stretch, and would be looking for perhaps a Bentley or an S-Class Mercedes. The Limousine as we know it will certainly survive, but slowly I think that the more stylish saloons will be the way forward for the more forward thinking person.