Bentley reveals model of new Bentley State Limousine

[Da Hawxxx]

Dec 24, 2001 - Bentley Motors has issued first photographs of the Bentley State Limousine. Conceived by a Bentley-led consortium of British motor industry manufacturers and suppliers, the all-new car will be presented as a gift to Queen Elizabeth II next year to celebrate her Golden Jubilee. It will be the first Bentley to be used for State occasions.

The new Bentley State Limousine differs fundamentally from those previously supplied by Crewe in being a unique car, rather than a production car modified for State purposes. It also bears no relation in either appearance or physical proportion to any other Bentley product, and has been designed with continual reference to and input from both The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh and of course, the Head Chauffeur.

The major partners joining Bentley in the consortium are Mayflower Vehicle Systems (bodywork), Leoni Wiring Systems (Electrics), TWR Group (trim packaging), Intier Automotive (trim engineering), Radshape (brightware), Ricardo (powertrain) and MSX International (validation).

Bentley Motors has been entirely responsible for the design, styling, chassis and commissioning of the car and has also overseen the project from start to finish.

Work on the project began in February 2000 with Bentley design director Dirk van Braeckel working with exterior designer Crispin Marshfield to a brief that required the car to appear both timeless and contemporary.

Commenting on his involvement with the project Crispin said: "It has been a challenging project because we had no reference points apart from the other State Limousines, the youngest of which is 25 years old. Then again, not having any modern benchmarks and dealing with very different packaging requirements made it a tremendous challenge."

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were formally presented with the design in May 2000, approving it with requests for only minimal changes. Since then work has continued non-stop at Crewe and among the other suppliers in the consortium to create, develop and validate this unique vehicle in time for the Golden Jubilee.

The new Bentley State Limousine will be presented to The Queen in May 2002.



-www.cardesignnews.com-

[Pennzoil GT-R]

you know wot? i can decide wot this reminds me of, its either an old Jag or a Hearse (hurse, however the hell u spell it--the thing they carry dead people in)

[jsb88]

A very flat bonnet pitch is what makes it look statley. Shame about the silly shield on top. makes it look a bit like a moving flagpole.