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166mph - at a stretch

Paul R Taylor
7/ 9/2007

A CHEADLE firm has created the world's first 20ft-long Ferrari limo.

The superlimo can do 0-60mph in under six seconds and has a top speed of 166mph.

It has been made from a black 360 Ferrari Modena and the owner hopes the vehicle will make the Guinness Book of Records as the world's longest supercar.

Style Limousines boss Dan Cawley spent £200,000 converting the machine, which was chopped in half and stretched by 9.6ft with a section of hand-built carbon fibre.

It now seats eight people - but don't expect to find a mini-bar.

The 400bhp car will instead give passengers the unique Ferrari experience, available to hire for £700 per hour.

A normal limo can be hired for about £150 per hour and a Hummer £280 per hour.

Dan, 37, said: "We will attempt to break the world record for the fastest limo at the Top Gear track at Dunsforld Park, in April.

"Ferrari engineers, including the 360's chassis designer, helped us stretch the Modena and the company has said it will provide a full pit crew for the record attempt.

"We also hope it will go into the Guinness Book of Records as the world's longest supercar.

"You can't beat the look on people's faces when you overtake them and the car just keeps coming past.

"American designers told us it couldn't be done, because most limos are made from steel and it's too heavy for a supercar, but carbon fibre company Carbonite agreed to make the stretch section."

The Ferrari limo also boasts the longest `gull wing' doors - at 9ft - on any car ever made, but it has lost little of its original performance because it weighs just 160kg more than a normal 1,390kg Modena.

Dan's company builds limos for other firms and also hires some out itself.

It was the first to stretch a Range Rover Sport, an Audi Q7, a Porsche Cayenne and has the longest eight-wheel Hummer in Europe. It has also placed an order for Audi's new supercar, the R8, which will be stretched early next year.

"You won't find a mini-bar in the Ferrari because it's not for cruising past night clubs," said Dan.

"Everyone dreams about riding in a real Ferrari and now they can experience it with their friends."

Visit Style Limousines website for more information at www.stylelimousines.co.uk

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