Bentley Mulsanne Key Celebrates Its Centenary
Mulliner, Bentley's custom coachbuilding unit, has designed a distinctive keycase to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the company. It is made of Dark Stained Burr Walnut and Piano Black veneer, it includes a fluttering 'B' paperweight, a set keys, and a brochure with never-before-seen 1930 8 Litre images.
It is the perfect gift to welcome a new owner to their opulent vehicle.
Aesthetics
Bentley is a firm which takes its aesthetics seriously. It is evident in the precise placement of its quilting, the selection of leather from by-products of cattle production, the wood that comes from sustainably managed forests and the creative patterns on its levers. As you approach a car like the Continental GT W12, its beautiful sculptural design is highlighted by carefully selected lighting.
The Continental GT is Bentley's most sophisticated open-top vehicle. The rear tonneau, for example, showcased the biggest piece of book-matched, dark-stained Burr Walnut veneer ever applied to the 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.
It is this unique design, craftsmanship and attention to detail that have established Bentley as the world's most sought-after car brand. The firm continues to push the boundaries by utilizing the most advanced technology and craft, including the introduction of an instrument cluster with digital technology and an electric tilt-opening rear glass sunroof, a custom-designed docking station for Apple iPads, and electrochromic "smart" glass that can be changed from opaque to transparent at the touch of an arrow.
Bentley celebrated its 100th anniversary this year, a century after it was established. The marque, currently owned by Volkswagen alone following years of dispute with BMW, has planned a range of special events and launches to commemorate the occasion. The marque planned a number special events and launches to mark the occasion before the pandemic was declared a priority.
Design
Bentley is known as a premium car manufacturer who creates extravagant and luxurious cars. But even the keys make a statement. The Bentayga Key is made of sterling silver with a large B' symbol to show everyone that you're driving a Bentley. The key is also decorated with the years 1919 and 2019, to commemorate the company's centennial.
Bentley Mulliner redesigned and developed the Mulsanne to become the ultimate Grand Touring vehicle. The rear seats are designed to offer passengers unmatched comfort and privacy. They were inspired by the luxury private aircraft. The customized heating and ventilation as well as air conditioning system was developed to provide each passenger with the ideal temperature control.
TheKeyLab is equipped with a twin turbocharged 6.75 litre W12 engine that puts out 560bhp as well as 479lb-ft torque. This incredibly powerful power is paired by a brand new suspension system that gives Bentley's famously quiet ride.
In celebration of its Centenary, Bentley introduced a unique specification called the Centenary Specification for cars built in 2019. This includes cross-stitching and contrast stitching in Centenary Gold thread throughout the cabin. The Bentley Wings on the headrests and seats are stitched in Centenary Gold, adding to the feeling of celebration. The Centenary Specification also includes a custom Bentley keycase, adding to the Bentley experience.
Function
The Bentley Mulsanne key has an open button on the trunk, as well as a button that can start the car. It also has a button to activate the parking break. There is a knob that can fold and unfold the mirrors while parked in tight areas. This feature can help you get into and out of your vehicle more easily.
The key is constructed from vegetable tanned leather and takes about two days to make each one. The key is cut by hand, shaped, stitched and sealed, then polished to create a high-end result. It is light and compact and matches the Bentley key perfectly. Its design is similar to that of the Volkswagen Phaeton large car's key however, it feels heavier and has a more luxurious feel.
It also comes with Secure-A-Key, which helps prevent theft of keys that are keyless. This device is inserted into the remote-control fob and is disabled when the key has not been used for more than a few minutes. It blocks thieves from transmitting the key's frequency to other devices which can be used to unlock and start the car.
Bentley's unique design reflects the firm's values of high-quality craftsmanship and engineering expertise. It also includes cutting-edge technology. The headquarters in Crewe house more than four hundred employees who are responsible for the design, development and production of Bentley vehicles. They employ skills handed over generations and then apply them to the latest in automotive technology. This is British manufacturing at its finest.
Personalisation
Bentley's Mulliner division lets customers design their own vehicle. Guests sit at a series of images referred to as "mood stations" and select a series of photos ranging from scenic landscapes to sporting events that will inspire them. After each selection is made, a pattern will emerge and reveals the design and color preferences for the customized Bentley.
The guests are given an individual key case created by hand and containing the R.F.I.D. enabled key cards. The keys can also be equipped with Bentley Muliner Personalised Welcome Lamps which light the door's opening path with the owner's name or emblem as they make their way towards the vehicle.
Bentley estimates that it requires 500 man-hours to build and put together a Mulsanne. A key to that time-consuming effort is a conscious refusal to take advantage of modern technology. Instead of employing a machine for spacers to the perfectly matched leather seats workers at the Crewe factory do it by hand. And rather than letting the car's built in sensors guide it into perpendicular and parallel parking spots the drivers must do it by hand.
Bentley showcased its Mulliner personalization skills with an exclusive Mulsanne W.O. Edition, that pays homage to the founder William Osler Bentley. Edition, which pays homage to the man who founded the company, William Osler Bentley. The 100 limited-edition cars include an exclusive key that shows a slice of the 1930 8 Litre's crankshaft.