Limocin: Luxury on roads

Thiruvananthapuram, May 6: Aiming a revolution in Automobile Industry in the country, particularly in luxury car sector, an automobile businessman in Kerala has come up with an innovative idea of transforming cars into luxury wagons by ''stretching'' the car's length.

''Limocin'', the ''stretched car'' of Gopi, with its grandeur and all modern facilities of a five star hotel room, is a luxury on the roads.

The Limocin was equipped with all modern facilities, including a mini bar, limo touch command systems, temperature modulator, digital stereo systems, mini refrigerator, sofa bed and two TV sets.

Stating that all the cars, except maruti, could be transformed, he said the cars could be altered into a 'luxury on wheels' in just 50 days.

''We can stretch the length of cars from four meter to 8.5 meter, according to the demand of our customers,'' P K Gopi, Managing Director of Executive Coach Builders told UNI.

While stretching the cars, any changes would not be made in the front and back side of the original car, he said, adding that the company was doing alteration only in the middle part of the vehicle.

Narrating the other facilities, he said no changes were made in the engine side. However, two batteries of 12 watt with 19 amp were fitted to provide intercepted power, he added.

Mr Gopi said one battery was fitted only for the mechanical use while the other for running air-conditioner and interior lighting, besides 220 watt lighting facility, providing light for outdoor parties during night. According to the requirement of customers, a 'chemical toilet', kettle for boiling water and laptop facilities would also be provided in the car, he added.

With just a press of a button, the seats could be converted into beds so that five people could sleep comfortably. This was the other added advantage of the car, having a total seating capacity of 11, he said.

He said the car was also equipped with a ''reverse camera'', enabling the driver to get a close view of the rear while taking the vehicle reverse, as its length was very big. The passengers could also speak to the driver through a microphone when required, he added.

He said since all the operations were controlled by the electronic devices, if the event of a short-circuit, the power supply to the interior section would automatically be cut-off.

This would help to protect the costly electrical systems fitted-in the car and also to reach the destination safely, he added.

Regarding the weight and mileage of the car after remodelling it, Gopi said the mileage would reduce only by one km and the weight by 500 kg. However, the weight would not affect the power and comfort, he added. Claiming that his company has a capacity to roll out 50 cars in a month, he said the response for the car was good and they had booked many orders.

The 57-year-old Managing Director said he got the idea from his son-in-law, who worked as a Mechanical engineer in United States.

Five years ago, he discussed the business proposal with Empire Coach Builders, a leading automobile firm in America and they agreed to start a joint venture in India, he added.

As per the MoU, the Executive Coach Builders factory was established close to the Fords Car factory at Marumalai Nagar, near Tambaram, in Chennai about 18 months ago, he said adding that all the machinery required for the factory were imported from America.

Gopi claimed that they were using American technology in transforming the cars and also used materials and electronic devices imported from there. The work was carried out by the experts of Empire group and the workers were trained by them.

The cost of modifying s car is about Rs 20 lakh.

Similar car either in America or in Gulf countries would cost about Rs one crore, while the transformed 'Limocin' with the same technologies and facilities, would cost only about Rs 45 lakh, including the price of the original car, he pointed out.

Limocin, the 28.5 meter-long modified version of the 'Ford Endeavor', is the seventh of its kind, he said and added that earlier his company had modified Nissan, Skoda and Innova.

''We hope that our product will cater to all the needs of tourists, business class and IT professionals. As time is precious for these busy people, such cars would be of a great advantage to them,'' he added.

UNI