Click above to view the Bentley State Limousine in hi-res
After the previous owners at Vickers prepared the Arnage sedan just in time for Volkswagen to take ownership, it took Bentley another five years to come out with the Continental GT. But before the new generation of Bentley Continentals made their debuts, Crewe created a special vehicle called the Bentley State Limousine. But before you run out to your local Bentley dealership in pursuit of what no one else at the country club will have, consider that Bentley made only two examples, exclusively for HM Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002. Believe it or not, however, this was the first time in all its nearly ninety-year history as one of Britain's most prominent luxury automakers that Bentley was asked to make a limousine for the crown, as previous limos had been created by Daimler and Rolls-Royce. The distinction allowed Bentley to utilize the distinguished "By appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II" label with the Queen's coat of arms, which the company flashes proudly in Rolls-Royce's big chrome face.
The State Limousine took two years to develop and is based on the Arnage, but fitted with unique bodywork styled by Bentley and crafted in-house at its Mulliner coachbuilding division. The exterior is visually distinct and more old-fashion than the Arnage, and features an enlarged greenhouse, with opaque rear window panels that can be installed for privacy or stowed in the trunk for parade visibility. The State Limousine also features suicide rear doors and measures some three-feet longer, ten-inches taller and six-inches wider than the Arnage, and is equipped with armored bodywork and windows, plus a blast-proof floor and an airtight cabin. All that means an 8,818-pound curb weight, pulled around by the same 400hp 6.75-liter V8 as used in the long-wheelbase Arnage RL. Stylistically, the State Limousine looks something like a cross between the Hongqi HQE and a London taxi – you can decide for yourself in the gallery below, where you'll notice the vehicle's deceptive dimensions and the obviation of the license plate frame for the Queen's own motor-carriage. Somehow we don't think she'll be pulled over.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
kris @ Apr 23rd 2008 10:07AM
In the span of two years, they didn't manage to carve much of the ugly off, did they? As a citizen of the Queen's realm, it embarrasses me that Bentley 'PRESENTED' (http://goodcarbadcar.blogspot.com/2007/12/ugly-bentley.html) this car to Elizabeth.
tim @ Apr 23rd 2008 10:09AM
Apparently, the Queen had input herself. At least according to Yahoo. http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/27112007/49/bentley-state-limousine-34.html
James @ Apr 23rd 2008 10:12AM
I think this would be more fitting:
http://www.sybarites.org/2006/07/04/bentley-dominator-suv-concept/
FThorn @ Apr 23rd 2008 10:21AM
Ugly.
SPG @ Apr 23rd 2008 10:31AM
Hardly ruins the lines at all.
A Bentley should look like a London style cab...
AntBee @ Apr 23rd 2008 10:50AM
I like it! It is quiet and understated, which is fitting for a Queen.
Blake @ Apr 23rd 2008 11:02AM
Deceptive dimensions is right! I didn't realise how ginormoso that thing was until there were people standing next to it.
James @ Apr 23rd 2008 11:17AM
I've seen this thing in person around Holborn and it's gargantuan. It must be nearly as long as a bus. Plus if Liz is in it, she's on state business so she gets a full blues-and-twos escort with outriders to clear the traffic. Proof positive that when it comes to conspicuous consumption, Liz is still out-blingin' the best of them.
Mobius_1 @ Apr 23rd 2008 11:17AM
This looks like those London cabs! C'mon, the Royalty deserve better!
Christian @ Apr 23rd 2008 11:33AM
The "By appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II" label is called the Royal Warrant. Ford, Jag, Land Rover, and Aston already have this label as official purveyors of autos to the Royal family. Good enough for bajillionaires, I guess.
Den in IN @ Apr 23rd 2008 11:50AM
Any gas mialge estimates for that? Will this recieve the distain reserved for "Cheslea Tractors"? Wonder if she will be paying the congestion tax? What does Red ken have to say?? Lots of unanswered questions remain.
300Kid @ Apr 23rd 2008 12:25PM
Why does there appear to be a center-mounted light at the top of the windshield where the rear-view mirror should be? Where is that mirror anyway?
Anyway, I think the rear (from the c pillar back) is gorgeous. Very elegant tail light design and love the integrated bumper. Silly though, a few years later the RR Phantom debuted. Seems like they could've just armored and raised the roof on one of those and been done with it.
Doug Danzeisen @ Apr 23rd 2008 12:39PM
Wow! Too bad this wasn't around back when Lincoln had the "Mine is bigger than yours commercials." The queen would win in that throwdown. Who is the Alfred Hitchkock looking gent next to the limo?
RobAFromNC @ Apr 23rd 2008 1:36PM
Looks like a Kia Amante...
rpm773 @ Apr 23rd 2008 1:52PM
I kind of like the simplicity of it. I wouldn't say it's outrageously sexy-looking, but it's not bad.
Then I saw the picture of the guy standing next to it. That thing is huge!
Scott Cummings @ Apr 23rd 2008 12:24PM
The Queen's Bentley State Limousine's are not registered vehicles so exempt from road tax so Red Ken does not get a bean for congestion charges from the Queen.
Troy @ Apr 23rd 2008 2:31PM
Anyone notice the Pirelli Scorpion-Zero tires on there? Perhaps it's off-road capable?
DavidW @ Apr 23rd 2008 3:49PM
This car just isn't formal enough in appearance for the Queen like the old Phantoms. Then again I could not imagine the Queen riding in the new Phantom. It's too "bling-bling" instead of tasteful. Like a friend of mine said the new Phantom screams look at me, where the old Phantoms just whispered it loudly.
Would have been nice if Rolls-Royce could have stayed in British hands. I am sure the royal coach would have been more interesting.
Donpella @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:10PM
Damn! That's one ugly car. A car costing $500.000 to a mil should look much better than this, I don't care whose name or logo on it!
MartinUK @ Apr 24th 2008 6:12AM
The Tyres we designed and built specifically for this vehicle in the Pirelli UK factory (Carlisle)