| Bentley State Limousine | |
|---|---|
 Note the monarch's personal English mascot made byEdward Seago ofSt George slaying the dragon. The mascot is changed to match the car's duties. | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Bentley |
| Production | 2002 2 produced |
| Assembly | United Kingdom:Crewe (Bentley Crewe) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-sizeluxury car Limousine Official state car |
| Body style | 4-doorlandauletsaloon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Doors | Conventional doors (front) Coach doors (rear) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6.75-litre twin turbochargedRolls-Royce–Bentley L-series V8 engine |
| Transmission | 4-speedGM 4L80-Eautomatic |
| 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) |
TheBentley State Limousines areofficial state cars manufactured byBentley as a gift for the lateQueen Elizabeth II on the occasion of herGolden 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 forKing Charles III. ThePrincess Royal used the car while accompanying the Queen's coffin. Both cars are kept in theRoyal Mews.
The vehicles' twin-turbocharged, 6.75-litre V8 engines have been modified from Bentley'sArnage 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 broadcoach 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 arekevlar-reinforced.[3]
The Bentleys are used mostly on official engagements and are always escorted by a selection of marked and unmarkedRoyal 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 silverVW Transporter minibus, until replaced by a blackMercedes V-Class in 2019. Both minibuses used the registration plate 1 KUV.
The Queen also used the Bentleys atSandringham House, and for travelling to and fromCrathie Kirk when atBalmoral. 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 illuminatedcoat of arms and a flag, which can be inserted from inside the vehicle. These usually feature theroyal coat of arms and theRoyal Standard respectively, although other symbols can be used for occasions such as a state visit.
When carrying the Monarch, the Bentley "Flying B"bonnet mascot was replaced, either by the Monarch's personal English mascot ofSaint George slaying the dragon (made by the artistEdward Seago) or, in Scotland, by a single standinglion.
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 requirenumber 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 onbiofuel.[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]
British textile manufacturerHield Brothers produced thelambswoolsateen 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 theRolls-Royce Phantom IV, of which just 18 were built for royalty and heads of state.
A part ofVolkswagen Group | ||||
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| Official state cars | ||||
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