April 28: If only I had the $

At the recent Shanghai Auto Show, Volvo, catering to the Chinese market (hey, they have Chinese owners), introduced the XC90 Excellence. What this is, as you can see from the pic on the left, is an ultra luxurious suv designed for the chauffeur driven, of which there seem to be quite a few in this eastern country. Basically they have removed the right side front seat and put in a writing desk, a rear reclining chair (wouldn't we all like this in our vehicle?) and a computer. Voila', an suv that any exec would be happy to be seen in.

Now you might know that Volvo is not the first to do this sort of thing to one of their cars, as extremely luxurious back seats seem to be popping up all over. But, as I often do, let's have a little history lesson. Way back in the mid '70's, Cadillac introduced a very short lived model, called the Fleetwood Talisman........

........and as you can see, its back seat pandered to the wealthy owner, who had a driver at their beck and call. Heavily padded velour seats, separated by a large arm rest with some sort of control on it and including a throw pillow. This was the ultimate in luxury for its time. But as I said, very short lived. Now it seems to be a trend. Take for example, the newly introduced for 2016 Lincoln Continental........

This car mimics the Volvo's luxury touches, although no seats are missing, but those small cabinets on the front seat backs contain very comfy slippers. I mean, like who wouldn't want to slip into warm and welcoming footwear, as your driver whisks you to your destination?

Who else might have adopted this new trend?

  Well, no surprise that Tata's Range Rover has a very luxurious back seat in their Autobiography model. Very English, don't you know. Jaguar, also owned by Tata, coddles those wealthy owners with its Portfolio series........

You'll probably recognize the ubiquitous luxury trimmings that, are found in all these almost royal rides. Want to be an owner? It's as simple as being rich and passing an exam to make sure that, you are high tech capable (can't have the chauffeur continually stopping to point out some new gizmo, can we?).

And you know that, Lexus wouldn't be left behind in this rush to the rear......

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......note the reclining seats, also a feature on most of these regal rides. And of course, a top tier luxury brand like Mercedes certainly wouldn't be left out, when designing something a little extraordinary for their super rich clientele........

.......every luxury feature and toy wrapped up in one nice Maybach model. Personally, I'd like back doors that, one could see thru, so that the common folk could see what they are missing, as I cruised silently by in my hyper expensive automobile. No point in having it, if one can't flaunt it, is there?

And one last example of how we could spend our hoped for lottery winnings and who else, but Rolls Royce, could provide us with just that little bit extra.......

.......the Phantom Limelight Edition even has twinkling lights in the headliner, reminiscent of the evening sky. Which sky? Your choice for this kind of coin.

Usually the really expensive cars get the good stuff first, before it filters down to us regular folk. So, how long will it be until this type of interior finds its way into a Toyota?

Surprise, it already has.......

Now before you wander into your local dealer asking to see the Corolla or Camry "I deserve the best" models, there are a few caveats here. One, this is a Japan only model and two, it is the Toyota Century, itself a very luxurious home market ride.

So, folks, if you have the coin, being asked to sit in the back seat, when you really wanted to ride "shotgun" is no longer a penance for some long forgotten wrong. No sir, that back seat is now your throne in your very regal ride.

Until next time.......