Bentley Mulsanne Key Celebrates Its Centenary
Bentley's custom coachbuilding division, Mulliner, has designed a unique keycase to commemorate the brand's centennial. Made of Dark Stained Walnut and Piano Black veneer, it includes a flying 'B' paperweight, a set of keys as well as a brochure with never-before-seen 1930 8 Litre images.
It's a great present to welcome a new owner into their luxurious vehicle.
Aesthetics
Bentley is a firm which takes its aesthetics seriously. It is evident in the precise placement of its quilting, the use of leather from cattle by-products as well as the sustainable management of forests, and the unique patterns of its levers. As you approach a car like the Continental GT W12, its sculptural beauty is displayed through carefully curated lighting.
The Continental GT is the most sophisticated open-top Bentley ever made. The rear tonneau, for example, showcased the biggest piece of dark-stained, book-matched Burr Walnut veneer ever applied to a production Bentley. Similarly, the electrically-operated glass sunroof and champagne cooler that incorporated hand-blown and hand-cut lead crystal bottles marked a new benchmark in luxury and innovation.
Bentley is the most sought-after automotive brand in the world due to its distinctive design and workmanship. The company continues pushing boundaries using the most advanced technologies and hand-crafted products. This includes the introduction of an electronic tilt-opening rear window sunroof and a handcrafted Apple iPad docking station.
A century since its founding, Bentley - now under sole Volkswagen ownership after years of conflict with BMW - celebrated its centenary in the year 2019. Prior to the pandemic plan taking center stage, the marque was hosting a variety of special events and launches planned to celebrate this historic occasion.
Design
Bentley is known as a luxury car maker that produces extravagant and luxurious vehicles. But even the keys are an oath. The Bentayga key is made from sterling silver and features a large 'B' logo that lets everyone know you're a Bentley. It's also engraved with the years 1919 and 2019 to commemorate the company's centenary.
Bentley Mulliner has redesigned and created the Mulsanne to be the ultimate Grand Touring vehicle. The rear seats were designed to provide passengers with unmatched comfort and privacy. They were inspired by the luxurious private aircraft. The customized heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system was developed to provide each passenger with the ideal climate control settings.
The Mulsanne features a twin turbocharged 6.75 litre W12 engine with 560bhp and 479lb-ft torque. This colossal power is complemented by a new suspension design that gives Bentley's trademark hushed ride.
In celebration of its Centenary, Bentley introduced a custom-designed specification known as the Centenary Specification for vehicles built in 2019. The cabin has cross-stitching, and contrast stitching in Centenary Gold throughout. The Bentley Wings on the headrests and seats are embroidered with Centenary Gold, adding to the feeling of celebration. A custom Bentley key case is included in the Centenary Specification, making the Bentley experience all-inclusive.
Function
The Bentley Mulsanne key has an open button on the trunk, and another button which starts the car. The key also comes with a switch that allows you to turn on the parking brake. There is a knob that can fold and unfold the mirrors when parking in tight spaces. This feature helps you get into and out of your car.
Each key takes about two days to make. The key is cut by hand, shaped by hand, stitched after which it is sealed and polished to produce a premium result. It is light and compact, and it fits the Bentley key perfectly. Its style is similar to the Volkswagen Phaeton large car's key however, it feels heavier and has a more premium feel.
It also has Secure-A-Key which prevents theft of keys with no key. This device is put inside the remote control key fob and is turned off after a few minutes of inactivity. This prevents thieves from transmitting the key's frequency to other devices which can unlock and start the vehicle.
Bentley's unique design reflects the values of the company, which include fine craftsmanship engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology. Over 4,000 employees work at its Crewe headquarters, which is responsible for the design, development, and production of Bentley automobiles. These workers apply the skills passed down for generations and apply them to the latest in technology in the automotive industry. This is British manufacturing at its best.
Personalisation
Bentley's Mulliner division lets customers design their own vehicle. The "mood station" lets customers pick images that inspire them. These could range from scenic vistas and sporting events. Each time a selection is made the pattern that emerges shows the model, color and style preferences for the custom Bentley.
The configuration that is created is then loaded onto individual R.F.I.D.-enabled keys that are then presented to the guests in a custom-made key case. bentley arnage key fob can also be fitted with Bentley Muliner Personalised Welcome Lamps that light up the door's opening path with the owner's name, or emblem as they arrive at the vehicle.
Bentley estimates that it requires 500 man-hours to construct and construct the Mulsanne. The reluctance to embrace new technology is the key to this lengthy and laborious process. The Crewe factory workers do not employ a machine to place perfectly-matched cross stitched leather seats. Instead they do it by hand. Drivers have to park their cars manually, not using the built-in sensors to direct them to parallel and perpendicular spots.
During the event, Bentley presented its Mulliner personalization capabilities using one of a kind that was the Mulsanne W.O. The Mulsanne W.O. Edition pays tribute to the founding father of the brand, William Osler Bentley. The 100 limited edition cars come with an item key that shows a piece of the 1930 8 Litre crankshaft.