Bentley Mulsanne Key Celebrates Its Centenary

Bentley's bespoke coachbuilding division, Mulliner, has designed a unique key case to mark the centennial of the company. It is constructed of Dark stained Walnut with Piano Black Veneer and includes a flying "B" paperweight, keys, and an original 1930s booklet that features never-before-seen 1930s 8 Litre images.


This is the perfect method to welcome a brand new owner of a vehicle.

Aesthetics

Bentley is a firm who takes its aesthetics seriously. It's evident in the precise placement of its quilting, the choice of leather sourced from cattle by-products, the timber from forests that are sustainably managed and the ingenious patterns that are etched on its levers. A car like the Continental GT W12 beckons as you take it in with its striking sculptural appeal and power through carefully planned lighting.

The Continental GT is Bentley's most sophisticated open-top car. The rear of the tonneau in the Continental GT, for example, featured the largest piece ever made 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.

Bentley is the most sought-after brand in the automotive industry in the world because of its distinctive design and quality. The company continues pushing boundaries with the latest technology and craftsmanship. This includes the introduction of an electronic tilt-opening rear window sunroof and a crafted Apple iPad docking station.

A century since its founding, Bentley - now under sole Volkswagen ownership following years of wrangling with BMW and BMW - celebrated its centennial in 2019. The marque planned a series of special events and launches to celebrate the occasion before the pandemic was declared a priority.

Design

Bentley is known for its luxurious and ostentatious cars and keys, but even keys are designed to stand out. The Bentayga key is crafted from sterling silver and features the large 'B' symbol which lets everyone know that you're a Bentley. The key is also engraved with the dates 1919 and 2019, to mark the company’s centenary.

The Mulsanne was redesigned and improved by Bentley Mulliner in order to be the ultimate Grand Touring car. It features two opposing sets of rear seats that are inspired by the luxury of private aviation that provide passengers with unbeatable comfort and privacy. A customized heating, ventilation and air conditioning system has been designed to give each passenger the ideal climate control setting.

In addition to a suite of refined styling updates as well as a suite of stylishly 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 powerhouse is complemented by a revolutionary suspension architecture that delivers Bentley's hushed, quiet ride.

Bentley has announced a special specification for cars made after the year 2019 to commemorate its centennial. This is known as the Centenary Specification. 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 sense of celebration. The Centenary Specification also includes a customized Bentley keycase to complete the Bentley experience.

Function

The Bentley Mulsanne Key has two buttons one of which opens the trunk, and another that starts the vehicle. The key also has a button to turn on the parking brake. 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 vehicle.

The key is made from vegetable tanned leather and takes over two days to craft each one. The key is cut by hand, shaped by hand, stitched, sealed, and then polished to achieve a high-quality result. It is durable and compact, and will fit the Bentley key perfectly. bentley key programming is reminiscent of the Volkswagen Phaeton's massive car key, yet it feels more substantial and luxurious.

It also has Secure-A-Key which can help prevent theft of keys without keypads. This device is inserted into the remote control fob and is disabled in the event that the key isn't used for a short period of time. It prevents thieves from transmitting the key's frequency to other devices which can be used to unlock and start the car.

Bentley's distinctive design reflects the values of the company that include high-quality craftsmanship engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology. Its headquarters in Crewe house more than 4000 employees responsible for the development, design and production of Bentley vehicles. These workers apply skills that have been handed through generations to current automotive technologies. This is British manufacturing at its best.

Personalisation

Bentley's bespoke division, Mulliner, allows customers to create their own car. The "mood station" allows guests to select images that inspire them. These could range from stunning views to sporting events. Each time a selection is made, the pattern that emerges is the model of the Bentley, as well as the color and style preferences for the customized Bentley.

The guests receive keys made by hand, which contains the R.F.I.D. enabled key cards. Keys are also equipped with Bentley Muliner Personalised Welcome Lamps that illuminate the door's opening pathway with the owner's name or logo when they arrive at the vehicle.

Bentley estimates that it takes 500 man-hours on average to construct and put together a Mulsanne. The main reason for this lengthy effort is a conscious refusal to take advantage of modern technology. The Crewe factory workers do not make use of a machine to create perfectly matched cross stitched leather seats. Instead, they do it by hand. Drivers have to park their cars manually, rather than relying on the built-in sensors to guide them into perpendicular and paralell spots.

During the event, Bentley showcased its Mulliner personalization capabilities by presenting one of a kind - the Mulsanne W.O. The Mulsanne W.O. Edition pays homage to the founder William Osler Bentley. The 100 limited edition cars include the key, which displays an item from the 1930 8 Litre crankshaft.