Bentley Mulsanne Key Celebrates Its Centenary

Bentley's bespoke coachbuilding division, Mulliner, has designed an exclusive key case to commemorate the brand's centennial. Made from 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 imagery.

This is the ideal method to welcome a brand new car owner.

Aesthetics

Bentley is a company that takes its aesthetics seriously. It is evident in the precise location of its quilting the choice of leather sourced from by-products of cattle production, the wood from sustainably managed forests and the unique patterns on its levers. When you drive by a car like the Continental GT W12, its sculptural beauty is displayed through carefully selected lighting.

The Continental GT is Bentley's most sophisticated open-top car. The rear tonneau, for instance, featured the largest piece of dark-stained, book-matched Burr Walnut veneer ever applied to an actual 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 bespoke design, quality and attention to detail that have established Bentley as the world's most sought-after car brand. The company continues to push boundaries with the latest technology and craftsmanship. This includes the introduction of an electronic tilt-opening rear sunroof, as well as a custom-designed Apple iPad docking station.

Bentley celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019, one hundred years after it was founded. The marque, currently owned by Volkswagen without a partner following years of tense relations with BMW and Volkswagen, has planned a range of special events and launches to mark this significant occasion. Before the pandemic planning took center stage, the marque had a number of special events and launches planned to commemorate the occasion.

Design

Bentley is a premium car manufacturer who produces extravagant and luxurious vehicles. But even the keys are an oath. The Bentayga key is crafted from sterling silver. It features the large 'B' symbol that tells everyone you're driving 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 to become the ultimate Grand Touring car. The rear seats are designed to give passengers the most comfortable and private experience. They were inspired by the luxurious private aircraft. The unique heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system was designed to give each passenger the ideal temperature control.

The Mulsanne features a twin turbocharged 6.75 litre W12 engine that generates 560bhp as well as 479lb-ft torque. This power is paired by a brand new suspension system which provides Bentley's renowned smooth ride.

In celebration of its Centenary, Bentley introduced a custom-designed specification called the Centenary Specification for cars that were built in 2019. This includes contrast stitching and cross-stitching in Centenary Gold thread throughout the cabin. The Bentley Wings are embroidered with Centenary Gold on the headrests as well as the seats and other parts of the car. This makes it more fun to celebrate. A bespoke Bentley key case is also included in the Centenary Specification, making the Bentley experience all-inclusive.

Function

The replacement bentley key Mulsanne Key comes with two buttons: one that opens the trunk, and the second that is used to start 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 area. This feature helps you get in and out of your car.

Each key takes two days to create. The key is cut by hand, then shaped, sewed to seal, and polished to give a superior result. It is small and sturdy, and it fits the Bentley key perfectly. Its design is similar to the Volkswagen Phaeton large car's key however it feels heavier and has a luxurious feel.

It also comes with Secure-A-Key that helps to prevent keyless entry theft. This device is put into the remote-control fob, and is disabled when the key isn't used for a few minutes. It prevents 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 is a reflection of the company's values that include fine craftsmanship, engineering expertise and cutting-edge technologies. Over 4,000 employees are employed at the Crewe headquarters, which is responsible for the design, development, and production of Bentley automobiles. These workers use skills handed down for generations and apply them to cutting-edge technology in the automotive industry. This is British manufacturing at its best.

Personalisation

Bentley's Mulliner division lets customers create their own car. The guests sit at a collection of images, referred to "mood stations" and select a series of photos - from scenic vistas to sporting events - that can inspire them. Every time a choice is made, the pattern that emerges reveals the model preference for color, style and design for the bespoke Bentley.

The guests are given a key case made by hand that houses the R.F.I.D. enabled key cards. Keys can also be fitted with Bentley Muliner Personalised Welcome Lamps that illuminate the door's opening path with the owner's name and/or emblem as they make their way towards the vehicle.

Bentley estimates that it takes 500 man-hours on average to build and build the Mulsanne. The main reason for this lengthy effort is a deliberate refusal to take advantage of modern technology. Instead of using a machine to place the perfectly matched cross-stitched leather seats, workers at the Crewe factory do it by hand. Drivers have to park their cars manually, not using sensors built into the vehicle to guide them into perpendicular and parallel spaces.

At the event, Bentley showcased its Mulliner personalization capabilities using one of a kind of the Mulsanne W.O. The Mulsanne W.O. Edition pays homage to the founder William Osler Bentley. The 100 limited edition cars include keys that display a piece of the 1930 8 Litre crankshaft.