Autoblog

Is that a Grey Goose flying into a Silver Cloud? Not far off, actually. In a bit of brand synergy we can really get behind, Grey Goose, the veritable Rolls Royce of vodkas, has teamed up with Rolls Royce itself on a joint marketing and public awareness campaign.

The promotion centers around two specially-made Grey Goose edition Extended Wheelbase Phantoms. The limos got a specially-mixed French racing blue finish outside and unique upholstery inside. Naturally, the flying Grey Goose icon is embroidered and discretely emblazoned on different parts of the car.

The two special Phantoms will be used to generate publicity, raise money for charity and for a public awareness campaign that will bring them to different cities promoting responsible drinking and, of course, Grey Goose. At the end of their run, so to speak, both Phantoms will be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to charitable causes.

Press release after the jump

[Source: Grey Goose]

click on image to enlarge

We told you last week that reports of Cadillac building a long-wheelbase version of the DTS were true, and now we have confirmation in the form of official shots of the long legged sedan released by General Motors today. While no information accompanied the images, you can clearly see about 6 to 8 inches of extra wheelbase that makes itself evident behind the rear doors. That extra length also gets added to the C-Pillar, which will both protect important back seat passengers from prying eyes and be a challenging blindspot for chauffeurs to see around. It's also clear from these pictures that, as we reported, a high-performance V-Series of the DTS-L will not be offered. One is clearly meant to be driven in this car, not to drive it himself (or herself). The rear-seat legroom is ample, as we would expect, with enough space behind the front seats to park an Aveo.

Will the Cadillac DTS-L give the aged Lincoln Town Car a run for its money? It might, if Cadillac can keep the cost down and find enough livery outlets looking to switch. Keep in mind, however, that we haven't heard much about the Chrysler 300 Long Wheelbase making any waves in the human delivery market. The Town Car is a tough cookie to beat due to its total entrenchment in this market, relatively low cost and a library of maintenance that's well known and tolerated. We'll likely see the Cadillac DTS-L at the L.A. Auto Show next week in person where we'll certainly climb in back and kick our feet up.

Check out the interior shot after the jump.

[Source: GM]

SEMA's right around the corner and the sneak peeks are flowing freer than beer at the Firehouse in January. The latest preview comes from Chrysler, which will be showing this stretched version of the 300C called the Pullman, a name that refers to various models of stretched Mercedes-Benz limos over the years. The wheelbase on this thing looks even longer than the 126-inch span on the 300 Long Wheelbase, though Mike Ellis tells us that the concept is actually another variant of the 300C that swaddles its occupants in luxury like the Imperial concept, which got mixed reviews for its chunky styling at the 2006 Detroit auto show. Like the Imperial, the Pullman also features rear suicide doors to aid entry into this big, rear-wheel drive sedan, as well as to give us photogs on the floor an unobstructed view of the interior. The roof is long enough to support two full sunroofs, and the wheels have also grown to size 22-inch TIS chrome rims wearing Diamondback tires. Chrysler did address the Pullman's power and performance by tapping the aftermarket for a Bassani dual cat-back exhaust, Hotchkiss Sportline suspension that lowers the vehicle on those giant rims, and a K&N cold air intake. We don't know yet what engine powers the Pullman, whether it's your garden variety 5.7-liter HEMI or the 6.1-liter HEMI from the 300C SRT-8, but we'll find out soon enough since SEMA starts on Monday.

UPDATE: better pic added

[Source: Chrysler]