Bentley State Limousine

Bentley State Limousine

Note the Queen's personal mascot of Saint George slaying the dragon. Like many other State Vehicles, the car's hood ornaments are interchangeable.
Overview
Manufacturer Bentley
Production 2002
2 produced
Powertrain
Engine twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre Rolls-Royce V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase 3,844 mm (151 in)
Length 6,220 mm (245 in)
Width 2,000 mm (79 in)
Height 1,770 mm (70 in)

The Bentley State Limousine is an official state car created by Bentley for Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.

Description

The vehicle's twin-turbocharged, 6.75-litre V8 engine has been modified from Bentley's Arnage R version to produce 400 hp (300 kW) and 616 lb·ft (835 N·m) of torque. Its maximum speed is 130 mph (210 km/h).

Near Buckingham Palace.
Hield Brothers lambswool sateen cloth seen in the interior of the State Limousine.

The State Limousine is 83.0 cm (2.723 ft) longer than a standard Bentley Arnage, 25.5 cm (10.0 in) taller, and 6.8 cm (2.7 in) wider. It is equipped with broad coach doors that open to the rear almost 90 degrees. Opaque panels over the backlight of the car can be installed for either added privacy or removed for added visibility of its passengers.[1][2] For protection of its occupants, the bodywork and glass are armoured, the cabin can be sealed air-tight in case of gas attack and is also blast-resistant, and the tyres are kevlar-reinforced.[3]

The State Limousine is equipped with flashing lights. Lion ornament is displayed as is Her Majesty's Royal Standard and shield for Scotland

The Bentley is used only on official engagements, and is always escorted by a selection of marked and unmarked Royal Protection Squad vehicles and local police vehicles and motorcycle outriders.[4] The Queen also uses it to travel to church when at Balmoral and Sandringham House. When abroad, the Queen may use other state cars or something provided by her hosts.

Like all British state cars, the Bentley has a mount on its roof for an illuminated crest and a pennant, which can be inserted from inside the vehicle. These both usually feature the Royal Standard, although other symbols can be used for occasions such as a state visit. When the Queen is on board, the Bentley "Flying B" bonnet ornament is either replaced by Her Majesty's personal mascot of Saint George slaying the dragon or a single standing Lion. The limousines are equipped with flashing lights, two in the grill and two on the front bumper, that are occasionally put to use. The State Limousines do not have number plates. The Bentley is claret and black like all the British state limousines.

In January 2009, it was announced that both Bentley State Limousines will be converted to run on biofuel.[5]

The vehicle was showcased at the 2013 Coronation Festival in Buckingham Palace Gardens.[6][7]

The two limousines are said to be valued at 10 million GBP each.[8]

Production

British textile manufacturer Hield Brothers produced the lambswool sateen cloth used for the upholstery of the rear seats.[9]

The unique bodywork was built by Bentley's Mulliner coachbuilding division.[10]

Only two of these vehicles were built, making it even rarer than the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, of which just 18 were built for royalty and heads of state.

See also

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bentley State Limousine (2002).
Bentley timeline, 1920s–present
Type 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
Ownership Bentley Motors Limited
(1919–1931)		 Rolls-Royce
Bentley Motors (1931) Limited
(1931–1980)		 Vickers plc
Rolls-Royce
Bentley Motors (1931) Limited
(1980–1998)		 Volkswagen Group
(1998–)
Coachbuilder's
open
2/4 seater		 3 L 4½ L
6½ L
Speed Six
Coachbuilder's
large saloon
coupé or
convertible		 6½ L
Speed Six
8 L		 4L
3½ 
4¼L
Mark V		 Mark VI R S1
S2
S3		 T
C
o
n
t		 Continental S1
Continental S2
Continental S3
Cars with Bentley own-factory coachwork
Large
saloon
 Mark VI R S1
S2
S3		 T1 T2 Mulsanne Brooklands Arnage Mulsanne
Turbo R
Coupé Corniche Continental R/S/T Br.
Convertible Corniche Continental Azure
Bentleys on the Volkswagen platform
Large
saloon		 Continental
Flying Spur
Coupé Continental GT
Convertible Continental GTC
Bentley automobile timeline, 1980–2003 — next »
Type 1980s 1990s 2000s
0123456789 0123456789 0123
Saloon Eight
Mulsanne Mulsanne S Brooklands Arnage Arnage RL/R
Mulsanne Turbo Turbo R Turbo RT Arnage Red Label Arnage T
Coupé Continental R
Continental S Continental T
Convertible Corniche Continental Azure
Color code Silver Shadow-based Mulsanne-based Arnage-based
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Type 1990s 2000s 2010s
89012345678901234
Saloon Arnage Continental Flying Spur Flying Spur
Red Label Arnage R/T Mulsanne
Arnage RL
Coupé Continental R Continental GT Continental GT
Continental T Brooklands Coupé
Convertible Continental GTC Continental GTC
Azure Azure
Color code
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