Bentley Mulsanne Key Celebrates Its Centenary
Mulliner, Bentley's bespoke coachbuilding unit has designed a unique keycase to mark the 100th anniversary of the brand. It's made of Dark Stained Burr Walnut with Piano Black Veneer and includes a flying "B" paperweight, keys, and an album of never-before-seen 1930s 8 Litre images.
It's the perfect present to welcome a new owner into their luxurious vehicle.
Aesthetics
As a company that is primarily focused on design, Bentley takes its aesthetics seriously. It is evident in the precise positioning of its quilting as well as the use of leather made from by-products of cattle and sustainable managed forests, and the unique patterns of its levers. A car like the Continental GT W12 beckons as you approach it to show its sculptural beauty and power through carefully planned lighting.
The Continental GT is the most sophisticated open-top Bentley ever built. The rear tonneau of Continental GT, for instance, featured the biggest piece of dark-stained Burr Walnut veneer that was book-matched. 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 bespoke design, quality and attention to detail that have established Bentley as the most sought-after automotive brand. The company continues to push the limits by utilizing the most advanced technology and workmanship, such as the introduction of the digital instrument cluster as well as an electric tilt-opening rear glass sunroof and a crafted docking station for Apple iPads and electrochromic "smart" glass that can be changed between opaque and transparent by a button.
A century after its creation, Bentley - now under sole Volkswagen ownership following years of wrangling with BMW - celebrated its centenary in the year 2019. The company planned a range of special occasions and launches to mark the occasion before planning for a pandemic became a top 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' logo to signal to everyone that you're a Bentley. The key is also decorated with the years 1919 and 2019, to commemorate the company's centennial.
The Mulsanne was redesigned and developed by Bentley Mulliner, to be the ultimate Grand Touring car. The rear seats were designed to offer passengers unparalleled comfort and privacy. They were inspired by the luxurious private aircraft. A custom heating, ventilation and air conditioning system was designed to provide each passenger with the ideal temperature control.
In addition to a suite of elegantly executed styling revisions The Mulsanne is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre W12 engine that produces 560bhp and 479lb-ft of torque. This power is paired by a brand new suspension system that offers Bentley's signature smooth ride.
Bentley has introduced a special specification for cars manufactured after 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 sense of celebration. The Centenary Specification also includes a bespoke Bentley keycase, which completes the Bentley experience.
Function
The Bentley Mulsanne Key features two buttons: one that opens the trunk, and another that is used to start the vehicle. It also has a switch to switch on the parking break. The knob can be used to fold or unfold the mirrors while parking in a tight spot. This feature makes it easier to get in and out of your car.
Each key takes about two days to make. The key is cut by hand, shaped, stitched to seal, and polished to achieve a high-quality result. It is compact and strong 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 premium feel.
Secure-A-Key is also included to help prevent keyless entry theft. This device is inserted into the remote control fob and disables it when the key isn't used for more than a few minutes. It prevents thieves from transmitting the key's frequency to other devices that can be used to open and start the vehicle.
Bentley's unique design is a reflection of the values of the company that include high-quality craftsmanship, engineering expertise and the latest technologies. Its headquarters in Crewe is home to more than 4,000 workers who are responsible for the development, design, and production of Bentley vehicles. These workers apply the skills that have been passed down through generations to cutting-edge automotive technology. This is the characteristic of British manufacturing at its best.
Personalisation
Bentley's bespoke division, Mulliner, allows customers to design their own car. The "mood station" lets customers pick images that inspire them. They can choose anything from scenic vistas and sporting events. As bentley continental gt key fob is made, a pattern emerges, which reveals the model and color preferences of the customized Bentley.
The guests are given keys made by hand and containing 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 entrance door, and display the owner's name or logo as they approach the vehicle.
Bentley estimates that it takes about 500 man-hours to build and build the Mulsanne. The reluctance to embrace modern technology is the primary factor to this laborious task. The Crewe factory workers don't utilize a machine for arranging perfectly-matched leather seats. Instead they do it by hand. Instead of letting the car's built in sensors guide it into parallel and perpendicular parking spaces drivers must perform the task by hand.
At the event, Bentley displayed its Mulliner personalization capabilities by presenting one particular example - the Mulsanne W.O. The Mulsanne W.O. Edition pays homage to founder William Osler Bentley. The limited edition cars include a key that displays an original 1930 8 Litre crankshaft.