Bentley State Limousine
Encyclopedia
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.
The vehicle's twin-turbocharged, 6.75-litre V8 engine has been modified from Bentley's Arnage
R version to produce 400 hp and 616 lbft of torque. Its maximum speed is 130 mph (209.2 km/h).
The State Limousine is 83 cm (2.7 ft) longer than a standard Bentley Arnage, 25.5 centimetre taller, and 6.8 centimetre 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. 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 tires are kevlar
reinforced.
British
textile manufacturer Hield Brothers produced the lambswool sateen cloth used for the upholstery
of the rear seats.
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.
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. She 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" hood ornament is replaced by Her Majesty's personal mascot of St George slaying the dragon
. It also does not possess a registration plate.
In January 2009, it was announced that both Bentley models will be converted to run on biofuels.
Official state car
An official state car is a car used by a government to transport its head of state in an official capacity, which may also be used occasionally to transport other members of the government or visiting dignitaries from other countries. On a state visit, the official state car might be transported...
created by Bentley
Bentley
Bentley Motors Limited is a British manufacturer of automobiles founded on 18 January 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley known as W.O. Bentley or just "W O". Bentley had been previously known for his range of rotary aero-engines in World War I, the most famous being the Bentley BR1 as used in later...
for Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II
The Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II was the international celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the accession of Elizabeth II to the thrones of seven countries, upon the death of her father, George VI, on 6 February 1952, and was intended by the Queen to be both a commemoration of her 50...
in 2002.
The vehicle's twin-turbocharged, 6.75-litre V8 engine has been modified from Bentley's Arnage
Bentley Arnage
The Bentley Arnage is a large luxury car produced by Bentley Motors in Crewe, England from 1998 to 2009. The Arnage, and its Rolls-Royce-branded sibling, the Silver Seraph, were introduced in the Spring of 1998, and were the first entirely new designs for the two marques since 1980.Another break...
R version to produce 400 hp and 616 lbft of torque. Its maximum speed is 130 mph (209.2 km/h).
Suicide door
A suicide door is a car door hinged on the trailing edge, the edge closer to the rear of the vehicle. Such doors are rarely used on vehicles in modern times because of their disadvantages....
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. 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 tires are kevlar
Kevlar
Kevlar is the registered trademark for a para-aramid synthetic fiber, related to other aramids such as Nomex and Technora. Developed at DuPont in 1965, this high strength material was first commercially used in the early 1970s as a replacement for steel in racing tires...
reinforced.
British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
textile manufacturer Hield Brothers produced the lambswool sateen cloth used for the upholstery
Upholstery
Upholstery is the work of providing furniture, especially seats, with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather covers. The word upholstery comes from the Middle English word upholder, which referred to a tradesman who held up his goods. The term is equally applicable to domestic,...
of the rear seats.
Only two of these vehicles were built, making it even rarer than the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV
Rolls-Royce Phantom IV
The Phantom IV is the most exclusive Rolls-Royce model ever built.Only 18 were made between 1950 and 1956, exclusively for royalty and heads of state...
, of which just 18 were built for royalty and heads of state.
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. She also uses it to travel to church when at Balmoral
Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle is a large estate house in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is located near the village of Crathie, west of Ballater and east of Braemar. Balmoral has been one of the residences of the British Royal Family since 1852, when it was purchased by Queen Victoria and her...
and Sandringham House
Sandringham House
Sandringham House is a country house on of land near the village of Sandringham in Norfolk, England. The house is privately owned by the British Royal Family and is located on the royal Sandringham Estate, which lies within the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.-History and current...
. 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" hood ornament is replaced by Her Majesty's personal mascot of St George slaying the dragon
Dragon
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
. It also does not possess a registration plate.
In January 2009, it was announced that both Bentley models will be converted to run on biofuels.
External links
- Bentley State Limousine for H.M. The Queen
- The Duke of York.org Cars.
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7672149.stmThe Queen arrives for a visit to GoogleGoogleGoogle Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
's London HQ in the Bentley State Limousine]