Bentley Mulsanne Key Celebrates Its Centenary
Bentley's custom coachbuilding division, Mulliner, has designed a unique keycase to celebrate the brand's centenary. It is made of Dark Stained Burr Walnut and Piano Black veneer, it includes a flying 'B' paperweight, a set of keys, and a brochure with never-before-seen 1930 8 Litre images.
This is the ideal method to welcome a brand new vehicle owner.
Aesthetics
As a design-oriented company Bentley takes its aesthetics extremely seriously. It is evident in the precise positioning of its quilting, the use of leather that is made from cattle by-products and sustainable-managed forests, and the ingenuous patterns of its levers. As you approach a vehicle like the Continental GT W12, its sculptural beauty is displayed through carefully selected lighting.
The Continental GT is the most sophisticated open-top Bentley ever made. The rear tonneau, for example, showcased the largest piece of dark-stained, book-matched 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.
Bentley is the most sought-after brand in the automotive industry worldwide due to its unique design and craftsmanship. The company continues to push the limits with the latest technology and craft, including the introduction of a digital instrument cluster as well as an electric tilt-opening rear glass sunroof, a handcrafted docking station for Apple iPads, and electrochromic 'smart' glass that can be switched between opaque and transparent by pressing an arrow.
A century after its founding, Bentley - now under sole Volkswagen ownership after years of fighting with BMW it celebrated its centenary in 2019. Prior to pandemic planning taking the spotlight, the marque had a range of special events and launches planned to celebrate this milestone event.
Design
Bentley is known for its extravagant and luxurious automobiles, but even the keys are made to stand out. The Bentayga Key is made of sterling silver with an enormous B' logo to signal to everyone that you're driving a Bentley. The key is also decorated with the years 1919 and 2019, to mark the company’s centenary.
Bentley Mulliner redesigned and developed the Mulsanne to become the ultimate Grand Touring vehicle. The rear seats were designed to give passengers the most comfortable and private experience. 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 perfect climate control setting.
The Mulsanne features a twin turbocharged 6.75 litre W12 engine with 560bhp and 479lb-ft of torque. This incredibly powerful power is paired by a brand new suspension system that gives Bentley's famously smooth ride.
Bentley has introduced a special specification for cars built after the year 2019 to commemorate its centenary. This is known as the Centenary Specification. This includes cross-stitching and contrast stitching in Centenary Gold thread throughout the cabin. The Bentley Wings on the headrests and seats are embroidered in Centenary Gold, adding to the feeling of celebration. The Centenary Specification also includes a bespoke Bentley keycase, adding to the Bentley experience.
Function
The Bentley Mulsanne Key features two buttons one of which opens the trunk, and the other that turns on the vehicle. The key also comes with a switch that allows you to turn on the parking brake. The knob can be used to fold or unfold the mirrors if you are parking in a tight space. This feature helps you get into and out of your vehicle.
The key is constructed from vegetable tanned leather. It takes about two days to craft each one. The key is cut by hand, shaped, stitched after which it is sealed and polished to produce a premium result. It is strong, compact, and 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 is also equipped with Secure-A-Key, which helps prevent theft of keys that are keyless. The device is inserted into the remote control fob, and disables it when the key isn't utilized for a period of a few minutes. TheKeyLab blocks thieves from transmitting the key's frequency to other devices that will allow the key to be opened and start the car.
Bentley's distinctive design reflects company's values of fine craftsmanship, engineering expertise, and modern technology. Its headquarters in Crewe house more than four hundred employees who are responsible for the development, design, and production of Bentley vehicles. These workers apply the skills passed over generations and then apply them to cutting-edge technology in the automotive industry. This is British manufacturing at its best.
Personalisation
Bentley's Mulliner division allows customers to design their own car. The "mood station" allows customers to choose images that inspire them. They can choose anything from stunning views to sporting events. Every time a choice is made, the pattern that emerges reveals the model, color and style preferences for the bespoke Bentley.
The guests receive the keys in a case designed by hand that contains the R.F.I.D. enabled key cards. The keys can be fitted with Bentley Muliner Personalised welcome lamps that illuminate the path of the door's opening. They are adorned with the owner's name or logo as they approach the car.
Bentley estimates that it requires 500 man-hours to construct and construct a Mulsanne. The main reason for this lengthy effort is a deliberate decision 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. Drivers are required to park their vehicles manually, rather than using sensors built into the vehicle to direct them to perpendicular and parallel spots.
In the course of the event, Bentley displayed its Mulliner personalization capabilities by presenting one particular example - the Mulsanne W.O. Edition, which pays tribute to founder William Osler Bentley. The limited-edition cars come with one key that features a small portion of the 1930 8 Litre's crankshaft.