Bentley Continental GT in rainbow colours to take part in LGBTQ event

Bentley Motors has tied up with Cheshire East Council for the North West of England’s first virtual Pride event which takes place on Saturday 25 July.The announcement celebrates three key themes for Bentley: pride in the diversity of its colleagues at the home of Bentley in Crewe and around the world, hope and gratitude as the business begins to emerge from the Covid-19 crisis and ongoing support for the local community.

To celebrate, a Bentley Continental GT V8 Convertible has been wrapped in a rainbow design showcasing six of Bentley’s bespoke paint colours.The car will feature during the online Pride event which can be watched anywhere in the world.

Dr. Astrid Fontaine, Bentley’s Member of the Board for People, Digitalisation and IT, said, “We embraced the opportunity to create our first rainbow car, because rainbows are recognised as an icon for the LGBTQ+ community and Pride events which celebrate individuality and take place around the world during June and July."

“The actual design of the car was inspired by a concept submitted in a competition we held during lockdown for colleagues and their families to co-create a Bentley that captured the moment. The stand-out winner was Eleanor (age 5). Her design also reflects our thanks to the local services that have supported us, and the work many of our colleagues have undertaken to support our local community over the last few months," he said.

The rainbow Continental GT V8 Convertible will feature by video during the virtual event, alongside interviews with Bentley employees who are supporting the Pride experience.

Bentley’s in-house designers and colour and trim team turned a concept created from a competition among employees into reality on a Continental GT Convertible. This V8 mode featuring 20-inch 10-spoke painted alloy wheels, subtle V8 badging and a sublime, handcrafted interior, will take pride of place in the CW1 showroom in Crewe during this month.

Maria Mulder, Head of Colour and Trim at Bentley, says the rainbow-wrapped car conveys a feeling of emotional well-being, human connection and wonder. “Who doesn’t love a rainbow, It’s uplifting to see appearing in the sky above a dark cloud and it brings a feeling of hope. It also gives us an element of emotional wellbeing," she said.

The bespoke Bentley colours employed to inspire the wrapped model mirror those of the rainbows seen in the natural world. Dragon Red; Orange Flame; Yellow Flame; Apple Green; Sequin Blue; Azure Purple.

Dragon Redis an arresting and distinguished metallic, evoking a sense of speed and presence. It displays a fiery character befitting the extrovert eye-catching intensity of this sporting red.

Orange Flame(metallic) makes the boldest of statements. Mixed with 'Mica' pigment and aluminium, it is painted in asingle layer, topped with a clear coat, cured and then finished with a 'mirror finish' polish.

Yellow Flameis a unique colour created for the Mulliner coach-built Bacalar limited edition model. This specially developed paint reflects a striking transition of colour that intensifies the drama of form and contours.

Apple Green(metallic) brings a fresh, modern hue to the green spectrum and provides a striking pop of confident colour.

Sequin Blue(metallic) developed from a special request from a customer to match the colour of a sequin on her favourite dress, a rich metallic blue with a deep shadow and unrivalled ability to draw attention to the exterior shape and form of all models.

Azure Purple(metallic) is a dark, rich shade with blue undertones created when Bentley was asked to match the unmistakable colour of the beautiful African Violet flower.