Latest news with #AudiA8


Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: Everyone is talking about Rachel Reeves and her tears... but we're all missing the REAL story on the outrageous scam that shames Britain
You're lucky to have me today. I had planned to take my new, taxpayer-subsidised Audi A8 long wheelbase job out for a spin, maybe down to Shoeburyness for a Rossi's ice cream and a pint of whelks. Nothing beats a nifty 99 (only the crumbliest, flakiest, etc) in this weather and seeing as everybody else on the beach seemed to be 'working from home', judging by those pictures in the papers, I thought: why not?

Time Business News
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time Business News
What to Expect from a Premium Chauffeur Experience in 2025
In 2025, the travel and transport industry is evolving faster than ever — and chauffeur services are leading the way in comfort, innovation, and professionalism. Gone are the days when a chauffeur was simply a driver in a suit. Today's premium chauffeur service offers a highly tailored, tech-enhanced, and customer-focused experience that caters to both executive and leisure clients. Whether you're a business professional, a VIP guest, or someone seeking refined travel, here's what you can expect from a premium chauffeur service in 2025. In 2025, luxury is no longer optional — it's the standard. The modern chauffeur service provides access to a fleet of top-tier vehicles, including: Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Audi A8 High-end electric vehicles like the Tesla Model X or EQS Spacious MPVs like the Mercedes V-Class for group or family travel These vehicles come fully loaded with climate control, reclining leather seats, ambient lighting, privacy screens, and onboard refreshments, ensuring your journey is both stylish and relaxing. Tech is transforming the chauffeur service experience. In 2025, expect your chauffeur-driven car to be equipped with: Real-time traffic and route optimisation Onboard Wi-Fi and charging ports In-car tablets for productivity or entertainment AI-powered vehicle diagnostics for safety Many premium chauffeur companies also offer a sleek mobile app for easy booking, tracking, and communicating with your driver in real time. The hallmark of a quality chauffeur service is the driver. In 2025, chauffeurs are more than just drivers — they are: Fully vetted and DBS-checked Trained in customer etiquette and confidentiality Skilled in defensive driving and emergency handling Fluent in English, with knowledge of multiple languages depending on clientele You can expect polite, punctual, well-dressed chauffeurs who respect your space while anticipating your needs — whether you need a quiet ride to a meeting or a friendly guide around London Sustainability is now a priority for many clients. That's why top chauffeur services offer a fleet of hybrid and electric vehicles to help reduce your carbon footprint — without compromising on luxury. By choosing an eco-conscious chauffeur provider, you're opting for a greener ride while still enjoying VIP treatment. Many services also offset emissions or use carbon-neutral fuels to further support the environment. One of the most popular uses of chauffeur services in 2025 is airport transfers. But this isn't just a ride — it's a seamless transition from air to ground: Meet & greet service at arrivals Luggage handling Flight tracking for early or delayed landings Discreet entry and exit options for VIPs Whether it's Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, or Luton, premium chauffeur services ensure a first-class experience the moment you land Privacy and security are major concerns for high-profile individuals. Top chauffeur companies in 2025 take this seriously: Tinted windows and privacy partitions Unmarked vehicles for discreet travel GPS tracking for safety monitoring 24/7 customer support Whether you're a business executive or a celebrity client, your chauffeur is trained to ensure a secure and undisturbed journey. A true premium chauffeur service is not one-size-fits-all. Services are personalised to meet your specific travel requirements, such as: Hourly bookings for business meetings Day hire for sightseeing or shopping trips Event transportation for weddings, parties, or red-carpet functions Corporate roadshows and multi-location trips With flexibility and attention to detail, your journey will be smooth, stylish, and perfectly tailored to your schedule. Whether you're travelling for a corporate function or simply seeking a stress-free journey to your hotel, chauffeur services in 2025 are built to serve both worlds: Business clients benefit from discretion, productivity on the move, and timely arrivals. benefit from discretion, productivity on the move, and timely arrivals. Leisure travellers enjoy the luxury, comfort, and personal touch — perfect for anniversaries, holidays, or sightseeing. To summarise, a truly premium chauffeur service in 2025 should offer: Luxury, well-maintained vehicles Highly trained, courteous chauffeurs Transparent pricing and online booking Real-time support and flight tracking Eco-friendly vehicle options Total focus on customer experience As travel expectations continue to rise, chauffeur services are setting a new standard in private transportation. In 2025, they combine elegance, technology, safety, and sustainability to deliver a ride that's more than just a journey — it's a premium experience. So whether you're landing at Heathrow, attending a high-level meeting in the City, or celebrating a special occasion in Mayfair, book a trusted chauffeur service and arrive in style, comfort, and confidence. TIME BUSINESS NEWS


India.com
26-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
Babar Azam Becomes BBL 2025s Costliest Signing, But Earns Far Less Than IPL's ₹27 Crore Star Rishabh Pant; Heres All You Need To Know
photoDetails english 2922248 Babar Azam has been signed by Sydney Sixers for Big Bash League 2025, becoming one of the highest-paid players in BBL history with a deal reportedly worth PKR 10 crore (~₹4 crore). However, his earnings are significantly lower than IPL's highest-paid player, Rishabh Pant, who was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for a record ₹27 crore. This stark ₹23 crore gap highlights IPL's financial dominance over other global T20 leagues. While Babar brings world-class experience and prestige to BBL, Pant's mega deal, brand endorsements, and ₹100 crore net worth underscore the unmatched commercial appeal of the Indian Premier League. Updated:Jun 26, 2025, 08:22 AM IST 1. Babar Azam's BBL Salary Breaks Records, But Still Trails IPL Giants 1 / 20 Despite being the highest-paid player in BBL 2025, Babar Azam's reported deal of PKR 10 crore (approximately USD 360,000) is modest compared to IPL standards. 2. Rishabh Pant's ₹27 Crore Deal Makes IPL History 2 / 20 Lucknow Super Giants bought Rishabh Pant for a record-breaking ₹27 crore, making him the costliest player in IPL history. His earnings are unmatched in global T20 leagues. 3. Babar vs Pant: A ₹23 Crore Salary Gap in T20 Earnings 3 / 20 The difference between Babar Azam's BBL earnings (~₹4 crore) and Rishabh Pant's IPL salary (₹27 crore) is a massive ₹23 crore, showcasing IPL's financial dominance. 4. Global Reach, Local Cheques: Why IPL Players Earn More 4 / 20 While BBL is gaining popularity, IPL's billion-plus viewership and multi-billion dollar ecosystem allow franchises to offer far higher salaries and marketing opportunities. 5. Babar Azam's Resume Rivals Pant's—But Not His Bank Balance 5 / 20 Babar Azam has over 11,000 T20 runs, multiple ICC awards, and global league experience, but his pay package remains well below what IPL stars like Pant command. 6. Rishabh Pant's ₹100 Crore Net Worth Backed by IPL & Endorsements 6 / 20 Pant's wealth, estimated at ₹100 crore, comes from IPL contracts, BCCI salary, and endorsements from top brands like Adidas, Realme, and Cadbury—far more than Babar's. 7. BBL Platinum Category Maxes Out at $420,000 – Still Less Than IPL Bench Players 7 / 20 BBL's top salary bracket offers around ₹3.5 crore. In contrast, even secondary IPL players often make more, proving how IPL attracts and retains top talent globally. 8. IPL Captains Earn Crores—Babar Azam's National Salary Is Modest in Comparison 8 / 20 Babar earns approximately ₹43 lakh per month as Pakistan's captain. Pant's IPL salary alone equals over five years of Babar's national contract earnings. 9. Luxury Cars? Both Have Them, But Pant's Garage Is Next Level 9 / 20 Babar owns a Lamborghini and Audi A5, but Pant's collection includes an Audi A8, Ford Mustang, and Mercedes GLE—financed by his IPL fortune and elite endorsements. 10. Why Babar's BBL Signing Still Matters Despite the Salary Gap 10 / 20 Babar's BBL move is a game-changer for league visibility, boosting BBL's appeal in Asia and signaling a growing challenge to IPL's global monopoly in T20 cricket. 11 / 20 12 / 20 13 / 20 14 / 20 15 / 20 16 / 20 17 / 20 18 / 20 19 / 20 20 / 20


Time Business News
20-06-2025
- Time Business News
Why You Need a Cambridge to London Car Service
Looking for an efficient service? It is available to you in case you need to find a Cambridge to London Car Service. Many car companies offer the most convenient and secure car rides across the cities in the United Kingdom. The greatest thing you could ever do to take care of your route to London is to book a car. When in Cambridge, it will save you time and money. Nevertheless, it may appear to be an expensive choice; however, in the long run, it proves to be proves to be an economical service. Travelling by train, public transport, or local taxi is the cheap and convenient choice, though the car outraces them in comfort, style, and luxury. So, if you desire the most comfortable and safest trip, order your car travel. Get entrusted to an exclusive chauffeur within seconds and enjoy a high-level trip tailored to your timeframe. Safe, comfortable, and hassle-free travel has become more convenient than before. Arrive at your destination without fatigue and discomfort, and never be late. When you have to travel for business, take a break or do something in between. The highly skilled chauffeurs will give you a wonderful experience to make your journey smooth and tension-free. Enjoy the convenience of a personal chauffeur at your disposal with Cambridge to London Car Service. You never have to worry about arranging transportation, as they offer online booking, which eliminates stress. Get to your destination fresh and well-confident. The main strengths of professional chauffeurs are high rates of reliability and an individual approach that guarantees a pleasant journey each time. Car services between London and Cambridge are often preferred due to their convenience, privacy, and comfort. Most of all, about bus transport or even rented cars. It avoids having to check the schedules of public transport, waiting for a full train or bus, and takes a more direct and less stressful ride. It may be especially attractive to solo travelers, family travellers, and travelers with mobility issues. Skilled professionals offer a classic and immaculate Cambridge to London Car Service. It will take you to your specific location with a smooth ride. Professional service providers offer either a London to Cambridge day trip, or your chauffeur will be your ride home after flying into one of the airports in the Cambridgeshire region. Business or leisure travelers flying in or out of the area can rely on their years of experience. Proficient and amazing companies dominate the travel industry as market leaders. Heading to Heathrow or Gatwick in a Cambridge to Heathrow or Cambridge to Gatwick transfer, you are in the hands of a professional chauffeur with extensive experience. Learning in Cambridge and going to a night event in the capital? Why not get 5-star service? It is by pushing the boat out and going First Class, where you can have a Mercedes-Benz EQS, a BMW 7 Series, an Audi A8, and more. Cover the London to Cambridge distance (approximately sixty miles) with all the style and comfort. Chelsea and Fulham Cars is a well-known firm that offers excellent car ride services. They are not new in this business, having years of satisfied customers. The fleet is comprised of luxury vehicles, including a BMW 7 Series, Mercedes E-Class, Mercedes Viano, and Mercedes S-Class. You are free to make your own choices about what you want, need, require, and what brings you comfort. Therefore, arrive in style at the destination in a luxury vehicle. These are additional reasons why you should reserve a ride (London to Cambridge) today. It is among the most secure rides, as it prioritizes customer safety at every moment. You will stay safe regardless of when you choose to travel. They never fail to ensure that their clients are comfortable during travel. To this end, they never let the cars fall into disrepair. The prices of the rides are affordable, as they do not include any hidden costs that could disappoint consumers. They take pride in their aged and well-trained chauffeurs, who understand how to handle your itinerary professionally. They are flexible in terms of the timing because they are also open on weekdays all day and night. You can reserve your ride at any time that suits you. Your designated driver will report to the location you provided as the pick-up point. The arm of the transportation business provided by a private car service is a door-to-door service. That does not require travelling to and from the train stations or bus depots. It will be very time-saving, considering the time wasted waiting and transferring between different types of transportation. The use of private cars to arrange transportation to and from any destination provides comfortable and individualised transportation. A passenger can arrive, feel relaxed, and enjoy the movement without stress and hassle in crowded trains or unfamiliar metro systems. This alternative is appealing to lone travellers who may be interested in the safety and privacy of chauffeur-driven cars. Families with little children who might find open transportation difficult, or people with special needs. By using a private car, one does not have to navigate the twists and turns of train transfers or bus schedules. Traveling to London by private vehicle is, therefore, simpler and less stressful compared to travelling to London by train or bus. A personal chauffeur service can sometimes be cheaper than using a bus or train, especially when travelling in groups, as it eliminates the extra expenses of purchasing a ticket on the train or bus. When travelling, people would rather use a car instead of public transport, as the latter is not associated with the same level of privacy and comfort. It is the reason why individuals prefer the Cambridge to London car service to spend time with their friends on a trip while maintaining their privacy. Additionally, the advantage of a car ride is that you are not bound by any timetable. You can adjust the car ride according to your timetable. On the same note, you are not supposed to lug your luggage all the time throughout the trip. TIME BUSINESS NEWS


Daily Record
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Provost's posh car replacement has saved Perth and Kinross Council almost £14,000 a year
Provost Xander McDade was keen to have a "more practical and environmentally friendly" vehicle anyone could use Ditching the swanky civic car has cut the annual travel expenses for the Perth and Kinross Provost by almost £14,000. Previously the Provost would be driven to events in an Audi A8 but in January 2023 Provost McDade announced plans to switch to a "more practical and environmentally friendly" option. Now, the Highland Perthshire senior councillor drives himself around or uses a pool car, which anyone in Perth and Kinross Council can use. In 2024/25 Perth and Kinross Council's 40 councillors (as well as two who resigned) claimed a total of £32,253 in expenses. Five councillors did not claim a single penny: Andy Chan (Con), Eric Drysdale (SNP), Crawford Reid (who resigned last summer), Caroline Shiers (Con) and Colin Stewart (Ind) who prides himself on having never made an expenses claim as a councillor. The vast majority - 98 per cent - of councillors' expenses claims were related to travel costs. There were no claims for meals or accommodation. There was just one training/conference claim, for Cllr Peter Barrett who convenes the Perth and Kinross Licensing Board, and the remaining £243 claimed was for telephone and ICT expenses. But - despite inflation and rising fuel costs - the expenses claimed last year by elected members was less than half what it was six years ago. For the tax year 2018-19, councillors claimed £75,178 in expenses. Removing the civic car is partly behind the 57 per cent reduction in councillors' expenses from 2019 to 2025. Provost McDade said: "When I became Provost I wanted to move away from an exclusive car for the Provost to something that could be used by anyone in the council to help save money. "Because I was driving myself to a lot of events, the previous car was sitting doing nothing a lot of the time which was not a good use of public money. So, we replaced the Audi with the hybrid Ford Transit which is now a pool car and can be used by anyone and is routinely used by schools for example because it has eight seats." As travel/mileage is, by far, the largest expense it is perhaps no surprise the three Highland Perthshire ward councillors' expenses account for just over a third of the total expenses claimed by elected members in 2024/25. Provost Xander McDade is one of those three Highland Perthshire councillors. He had the largest expenses bill of £4751. Provost McDade's claims were all for mileage and - while the largest for 2024/25 - were a 74 per cent reduction from his predecessor Provost Dennis Melloy's £18,529 claim for travel and mileage in 2018/19. Provost Melloy's total expenses claimed in 2018/19 including meals, telephones/ICT costs, etc., were £18,952. A move towards hybrid meetings has also played a part in reducing mileage claims. The Independent Highland Perthshire ward councillor said: "Since the introduction of hybrid meetings I have tended to try and do a lot more of the internal meetings online rather than driving the 50-mile round trip each time and this has reduced my own mileage quite a lot, but the Highland ward covers about 43 per cent of the Perth and Kinross landmass so all three Highland ward councillors inevitably have the highest mileage claims as it can take 90 minutes to drive from one side of our ward to the other. "My mileage is for local ward meetings or to Perth for council meetings, but I also drive myself to quite a lot of local events as Provost so use the pool car less than previous Provosts would have used the civic car." Another change since Xander McDade was made Provost has been the introduction of Bailies, with one representing each political group in the council. That too, has brought savings. Provost McDade added: "Since we reintroduced Bailies there has also been a reduction in mileage as I will often send a Bailie to a local event near them if appropriate." Details of the councillors' expenses are publicly available to see on the Perth and Kinross Council website. Bailie Alasdair Bailey - vice-convener of PKC's Scrutiny and Performance Committee - believes it is important for councillors to think about how the public purse is being spent but also that councillors are not out of pocket in their service. The Labour Carse of Gowrie ward councillor said: "The scrutiny that brings to the process keeps us all aware of the fact that when we travel on council business, we're doing so at the expense of the taxpayer. "However I do want to put on record my strong support for the ability of councillors to claim reimbursement for expenses. We have to remember that if we don't pay people adequately to hold public office, we inevitably end up being ruled by those who can afford to do the role voluntarily which severely limits the range of people and backgrounds we'll see represented on the council." Independent councillor Colin Stewart - who has pledged not claim a single penny - agreed. The Strathmore ward councillor said: "I think it's completely appropriate for expenses to be available to ensure access to elected office, particularly for younger candidates, but all councillors should be mindful about keeping their burden on Perth and Kinross residents and taxpayers to the absolute minimum. "Having not claimed anything in my first term as a councillor, I pledged that I wouldn't claim anything if elected for a second term - and I won't." A PKC spokesperson said: "Councillors can claim expenses for travel and subsistence costs incurred while carrying out their official duties. "In the interests of transparency, councils are required to publish information on councillors' salary, allowances and expenses in respect of the previous financial year.' "All councillors can claim travel and subsistence costs while carrying out their official duties. Elected members in more rural areas will, inevitably, face higher transport costs although it should be noted these have reduced significantly since the coronavirus pandemic. This is because more meetings can be held online and pool vehicles can also be used to reduce costs."