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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.

29/06/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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Lexus’ moment to shine is coming soon with the Monaco Royal Couple’s wedding, and more photos and a video of the one-off LS600h Landaulet featuring a special transparent roof has been released to the public. The event will take place on July 2nd, when the Royal Couple will head from Rocher down to the Monaco Harbour and the Sainte-Dévote chapel in true Lexus luxury.

The purpose behind the futuristic, single-piece polycarbonate roof is to allow all of Monaco’s citizens to see the Royal Couple as they tour the streets in the LS600h. More importantly, the luxury sedan will be operating in full electric motor mode, emitting zero emissions.

Prince Albert II of Monaco decided to choose Lexus’ LS600h in order to promote his commitment to protecting the environment and minimizing the environmental impact of wedding celebrations. We’re not really sure what kind of impact this will have on Lexus’ LS600h sales, but hey, there’s no better way than to lead by example.

Check out a video preview of the Landaulet after the break.

GALLERY: Lexus LS600H Landaulet

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Maybach to Build $1.35 Million 62S Landaulet

Convertible limousine to be first of its kind

02/01/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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With its debut at the Dubai Motor Show as a “Design Study,” Maybach shocked the world by announcing, shortly afterward, that it would in fact build the 62S Landaulet. This bizarre creation is a genuine limousine (stretching a foot longer than even the Rolls-Royce Phantom) and yet it features a retractable rear roof. This way, passengers can enjoy the sun while the driver can stay focused at the task at hand.

The bizarre design keeps the metal roof structure at all times, so from a side perspective it always looks like a standard sedan/limousine. From behind or on top, however, it is possible to see that the material rear roof folds away behind the passenger compartment.

Driver and passenger compartments are also distinguished by the color of materials used. The driver compartment is filled with glossy black Stromboli leather with piano black accents. As for the passengers, they sit surrounded by Seychelles white leather, with white velour carpets.

The Landaulet is powered by a twin-turbo Mercedes V-12 that makes 612hp at 4800 rpm and 738 ft-lbs of torque at 2000 rpm.

Maybach has not released how many models will be built but the 62S Landaulet is expected to sell for $1.35 million.

Maybach 62S Landaulet

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Official release after the jump:

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