The Bentley State Limousines are official state cars manufactured by Bentley as a gift for the late Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002. The two cars produced were in service for the Queen up until her death in 2022. They have most recently been in service for King Charles III. The Princess Royal used the car while accompanying the Queen's coffin. Both cars are kept in the Royal Mews.
| Bentley State Limousine | |
|---|---|
 Note the monarch's personal English mascot made by Edward Seago of St George slaying the dragon. The mascot is changed to match the car's duties. | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Bentley |
| Production | 2002 2 produced |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size luxury car Limousine Official state car |
| Body style | 4-door landaulet saloon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Doors | Conventional doors (front) Coach doors (rear) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Rolls-Royce – Bentley L Series V8 engine, 6.75-litre V8, twin-turbochargers |
| Transmission | 4-speed GM 4L80-E automatic |
| 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) |
Description
editThe vehicles' twin-turbocharged, 6.75-litre V8 engines have been modified from Bentley's Arnage R version to produce 400 hp (298 kW; 406 PS) and 616 lb⋅ft (835 N⋅m) of torque. Their maximum speed is 130 mph (209 km/h).[citation needed]
The State Limousines are 83.0 cm (2 ft 8.7 in) longer than a standard Bentley Arnage, 25.5 cm (10.0 in) taller, and 6.8 cm (2.7 in) wider. They are equipped with broad coach doors opening to the rear by almost 90 degrees. Opaque panels over the rear window of the cars can either be installed for added privacy or removed for added visibility of the occupants.[1][2] For protection of the 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 Bentleys are used mostly on official engagements and are always escorted by a selection of marked and unmarked Royal Protection Squad vehicles, along with local police vehicles and motorcycle outriders.[4] The motorcade usually includes a support vehicle to carry staff and aides, which was previously a silver VW Transporter minibus, until replaced by a black Mercedes V-Class in 2019. Both minibuses used the registration plate 1 KUV.
The Queen also used the Bentleys at Sandringham House, and for travelling to and from Crathie Kirk when at Balmoral. Until her death in 2022, she typically used the Bentleys on the rare occasions that she travelled abroad, but also used other state cars or a vehicle provided by her hosts.
Like all British state cars, the Bentleys have a mount on the roof for an illuminated coat of arms and a flag, which can be inserted from inside the vehicle. These usually feature the royal coat of arms and the Royal Standard respectively, although other symbols can be used for occasions such as a state visit.
When carrying the Queen, the Bentley "Flying B" bonnet mascot was replaced, either by the Queen's personal English mascot of Saint George slaying the dragon (made by the artist Edward Seago) or, in Scotland, by a single standing lion.
The Bentleys are equipped with flashing blue lights, two within the radiator grille and two mounted on the front bumper. The State Limousines neither have nor require number plates. The Bentleys are painted claret and black, in keeping with all British state vehicles.
In January 2009, it was announced that the Bentley State Limousines would both 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 each.[8]
Production
editBritish 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
editReferences
edit- ^ Noah Joseph (28 April 2008). "On Her Majesty's Service: 2002 Bentley State Limousine". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
- ^ K.-J. Roßfeldt. "Bentley Golden Jubilee (2002), Bentley State Limousine for H.M. The Queen". rrab.com. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
- ^ "Royal Cars From The Royal Wedding". automotivecraze.com. 3 May 2011. Archived from the original on 6 November 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
- ^ "Thatcher funeral, Queen, Prince Philip arrive". YouTube. Retrieved 19 April 2013.[dead YouTube link]
- ^ Christian, Andrew. "The Queen goes green: Royal Bentley to run on bio-fuel". 4WheelsNews. Archived from the original on 10 January 2013.
- ^ "Bentley one-off limo to feature at Buckingham Palace Coronation Festival". Autoblog. 9 July 2013.
- ^ "BENTLEY STATE LIMOUSINE TO APPEAR AT THE CORONATION FESTIVAL". Archived from the original on 6 September 2013.
- ^ One is most amused: Queen sees the funny side when car will not start, Daily Telegraph 13 January 2013
- ^ "The Monarchy Today > Ceremony and symbol > Transport > Cars". Royal.gov.uk. 3 May 2011. Archived from the original on 30 October 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
- ^ "On Her Majesty's Service: 2002 Bentley State Limousine". Autoblog. 23 April 2008.
External links
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