What's rarer than a car, only two in the world, made for a lady of the royal family? Why it's the Bentley State Limousine! The Bentley State Limousine was commissioned to Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 for her Golden Jubilee. It's rarer than the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, of which just 18 were built for royalty and heads of state. The Bentley State Limousine is stored in the Royal Mews besides the Buckingham Palace, London, where it's used to store horses, carriages and the royal limousine.
The vehicle is powered by a twin-turbocharged, 6.75-litre V8 engine that has been derived from a Bentley Arnage R engine, to produce 400 hp (300 kW) and 616 lb·ft (835 N·m) of torque. Its maximum speed is 130 mph (210 km/h).
The interior has been customised by a local British textile manufacturer Hield Brothers, which produced the lambswool sateen cloth used for the upholstery of the rear seats.
The Bentley has a mount on its roof for an illuminated crest and a pennant, which can be inserted from inside the vehicle. The hood ornament is usually decorated by a figure of St. George slaying the dragon, when the Queen is in the car. Otherwise the usual Flying B icon is used.
There's even a photo of the chauffeur who gets to drive the car around ferrying the very important Queen of England and I bet he really loves his job where he gets to drive one of the rarest cars on earth! 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. The doors are able to be swung open up to 90 degrees in angle.
The Bentley is used only on official engagements, and usually escorted by a selection of marked and unmarked Royal Protection Squad vehicles. Her usual destinations in this royal car would be to travel to church when at Balmoral and Sandringham House. So the chances of seeing this car on the streets outside of London, is pretty darn rare. So a glimpse to see it up close and personal, now the experience is worth a thousand worths. While it might arguably be slower than most exotic cars out there, the rarity itself would put it side by side to any limousine in the market to shame.
Of course, where 100 years ago, where the world was less complicated and less sinister, the royal carriage was the defacto of the days. However, it would deem impractical, the suspension would hurt the passengers buttocks badly and the lack of air conditioning would simply kill them. So hail the Bentley State Limousine, the automotive evolution of 100 years have brought great comfort to the Queen and her occupants.
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