Queen Elizabeth took delivery of a snazzy new set of wheels on Wednesday. The customised £10-million Bentley, which replaces the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI presented to her in 1977, is a gift from the prestigious marque - part of the Rolls-Royce group - to mark the Golden Jubilee.
The new state limousine, which will be rolled out for its first formal duties during the Golden Jubilee celebrations on Tuesday, features detailing specified by the monarch herself. These include cloth inserts in the leather seats - which make for a cooler ride and are more clothes friendly.
Other adjustments made by Bentley with the royal passenger in mind are sufficient head room to ensure the Queen doesn't have to bend down to enter or leave the vehicle and rear doors which are hinged at the back. Unlike other top-of-the-line models in its class, the state limousine is not fitted with such modern accessories as a CD player or DVD.
Bentley Motors chairman Franz-Josef Paefgen described the new car as a triumph of British engineering and craftsmanship from the cooperative of 50 manufacturers who teamed forces to build it. And royal chauffeur, Joe Last, who got to test drive the Bentley at speeds of up to 130mph on a track, pronounced it “wonderful”.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
