In celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's birthday and her Diamond Jubilee Bentley has launched the Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee Edition, built by the firm's exclusive Mulliner department - the creators of the current state limousine commissioned in 2002.

Features exclusive to the Diamond Jubilee Edition include veneered picnic tables for the rear cabin decorated in gold overlay and gold stitching for the headrests, which are supposed to be reminiscent of a royal carriage. It also features two special side plates with the words 'Bentley Mulliner, England' and 'Diamond Jubilee Edition' writing on them.

The engine is left unchanged from the standard Mulsanne, which means a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V8 delivering 505hp at 4,200rpm, and 1,020Nm produced at 1,750rpm. This gives a 0-62mph time of 5.3 seconds and a top speed of 186mph.

The Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee Edition was unveiled at the gala opening of one of the world's biggest Bentley dealerships in Beijing. The location of its unveiling should not come as a surprise because China is now the famous luxury marque's biggest market. Bentley's first quarter sales in China for 2012 grew by 84.66% to 1,664 vehicles.

Bentley's Director of Royal and VIP Relations Richard Charlesworth said "This series of special cars, hand-built by our Mulliner Division, is our way of reciprocating the appreciation for British institutions, creativity and services we have been shown in China. And as proud holders of a Royal Warrant we also wanted to provide some memorable examples of British technology and craftsmanship."

Prices have not yet been announced but expect to pay much more than the £225,000 asking price for the standard Mulsanne.

Eldred Green - 25 Apr 2012