After ten years of reviewing Bentleys, rushing by alpine passes, parading alongside the Riviera, and gliding by the lavender-lined roads of Tuscany, I’ve discovered one factor: color is energy.
Not engine energy. Not brake horsepower. I’m speaking about emotional torque. The sort of energy that turns heads earlier than a wheel even spins. And proper now, there’s a color quietly taking up luxurious vogue, inside design, and sure—automotive styling.
It’s time to say it.
Purple is not a danger. It’s a revolution.
Gracie Reviewing Bentley for Ten Years – Why Automotive Firms Together with Ferrari Ought to Embrace the Color Purple
Ten Years with Bentley – A Lesson in Delicate Assertion
My love affair with Bentley started over a decade in the past. I’ve test-driven their Continental GTs, their Mulsannes, their limited-edition Mulliner commissions, and even gotten up shut with bespoke configurations created for his or her most eccentric clientele. Each curve of a Bentley is designed to whisper wealth, not scream it. Each element is engineered with precision and opulence in thoughts.
However even Bentley with all its craftsmanship has lengthy performed it protected with color. The standard suspects: British Racing Inexperienced, Glacier White, Onyx Black, or that deep navy blue solely true aristocrats can pull off with out trying like they’ve borrowed their father’s automobile.
Till not too long ago.
Now, I’m seeing Bentley dabble in wealthy plum, mulberry, amethyst, and aubergine tones. Purple, as soon as deemed “too female” or “too daring,” is lastly making its approach onto the spec sheets of probably the most reserved marques.
And admittedly? It’s about time.
Why Purple? As a result of It’s Not Beige
Purple isn’t just a color. It’s a temper, a press release, a narrative.
Lavender is calm luxurious.
Violet is creativity and confidence.
Royal purple? Effectively, the identify speaks for itself.
In Roman instances, purple was reserved for emperors. In trendy vogue, it’s related to daring icons—assume Prince, Vivienne Westwood, and people daring sufficient to combine class with eccentricity.
So why are automobile manufacturers nonetheless clinging to conservative palettes? Why are Ferraris nonetheless defaulting to crimson and yellow prefer it’s 1985? You’re not simply promoting pace anymore—you’re promoting id.
Ladies Drive Luxurious Too—And We Need Color That Speaks
For too lengthy, luxurious vehicles have been designed by males, marketed to males, and painted in colors chosen to impress different males. However instances have modified.
Ladies now make up over 50% of luxurious automobile buy selections, and we’re not simply asking for smaller steering wheels and pink stitching. We wish efficiency with character. And purple—when achieved nicely—is the color of quiet energy.
Ferrari, take notice. You’ve mastered the scream of Rosso Corsa. Now present us you possibly can whisper with Viola Hong Kong or Iris Nebula.
Purple isn’t mushy. It’s strategic.
The Rise of the “Assertion Spec” Era
In an period of digital-first impressions, what you drive is your calling card. The newer era of patrons—sure, even within the £250k bracket—don’t wish to mix in. They need color combos that {photograph} nicely, really feel unique, and align with their private model.
Instagram doesn’t reward silver. TikTok doesn’t pattern beige.
Purple pops. Particularly towards matte finishes, carbon fibre accents, and even cream interiors.
This isn’t nearly vogue—it’s good product differentiation.
Bentley Did It First – Now It’s Time for Ferrari to Comply with
Bentley’s bespoke Mulliner division has began providing beautiful hues like Damson, Purple Silk, and Sequin Blue with violet undertones. I’ve seen them in particular person. They don’t shout. They glow.
These are the colors of people that know they’ve arrived—and don’t want to elucidate it.
Now think about that power wrapped round a Ferrari Roma Spider, or a Ferrari 296 Speciale A. You’d elevate your complete dialog from pace to model. You’d appeal to a clientele not simply in search of efficiency, however for presence.
And isn’t that what Ferrari was at all times about?
The Color Psychology of Luxurious
Purple faucets into emotional luxurious. The type that doesn’t want numbers on a spec sheet to justify its value. It’s religious, sensual, and just a bit bit subversive.
Within the Bentley GTC I reviewed final spring, completed in an amethyst gloss with a linen inside and lavender stitching, I had extra strangers cease me than once I drove a shiny crimson Ferrari by Monaco.
Why?
As a result of it wasn’t anticipated. And true luxurious immediately is concerning the surprising achieved exceptionally nicely.
The Way forward for Luxurious is Much less Masculine
We’re getting into an period the place gender-neutral class is the brand new standing image. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin—all must rethink what their vehicles really feel like, not simply what they appear to be.
A purple Ferrari isn’t a “lady’s automobile.” It’s a assured particular person’s alternative.
And if the longer term is electrical (which it’s), you higher give clients color to care about. As a result of as soon as the exhaust notes go silent, design will do all of the speaking.
Gracie’s Ultimate Phrase – From the Lavender Hills of Tuscany
After years of pushing males into velvet slippers, floral brogues, and white trousers, I’m now saying the identical to automobile manufacturers: Take a danger. Go purple. Dare to satisfy the drivers who aren’t afraid of class.
Bentley has began listening. Rolls-Royce is already there with its bespoke finishes. Ferrari? You’re subsequent.
As a result of the subsequent massive pattern in luxurious vehicles isn’t pace.It’s shade.
