The idea of a locking storage compartment inside a vehicle is not new. Glove compartments with traditional key locks have been around for decades, but in 2018, that method is simply too pedestrian. Advancing the idea of a personal safe inside one’s vehicle, Bentley and in-house customizer Mulliner have created a lockbox for the Benignant that utilizes fingerprint-recognition technology.
With the rise of keyless entry and push-button start, the likelihood of having a readily available metal key as part of your keychain has dropped drastically, at least for new-car owners. So using a key to lock something inside a car doesn’t make much sense. Mulliner and Bentley chose a solution that many people already use on their smartphones: biometric security.
Underneath the armrest between the driver and passenger is a die-cast aluminum storage box with a Mulliner-branded fingerprint sensor on its lid. The touch of a finger will open the box, which is programmable to hold several fingerprint profiles. Bentley does not specify how large the box is, but it only appears to be big enough to hold a few small valuables. A standard gold bar—which measures 7 by 3 5/8 by 1 3/4 inches—probably would fit.
For those worried about failing technology and Rolexes getting stuck in their Bentaygas forever, don’t fret. Next to the fingerprint sensor is a small reminder that mechanical is often the most reliable. The box can also be unlocked with a key (remember, those fancy fobs usually have keys hidden inside them).
Bentley did not touch on pricing for the fingerprint locker, but can you really put a price on peace of mind?
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