Move Over Red – Why It’s Time Ferrari and Bentley Embrace the Purple Reign
After ten years of reviewing Bentleys, speeding through alpine passes, parading along the Riviera, and gliding through the lavender-lined roads of Tuscany, I’ve learned one thing: colour is power.
Not engine power. Not brake horsepower. I’m talking about emotional torque. The kind of power that turns heads before a wheel even spins. And right now, there’s a colour quietly taking over luxury fashion, interior design, and yes—automotive styling.
It’s time to say it.
Purple is no longer a risk. It’s a revolution.
Gracie Reviewing Bentley for Ten Years – Why Car Companies Including Ferrari Should Embrace the Colour Purple
Ten Years with Bentley – A Lesson in Subtle Statement
My love affair with Bentley began over a decade ago. I’ve test-driven their Continental GTs, their Mulsannes, their limited-edition Mulliner commissions, and even gotten up close with bespoke configurations created for their most eccentric clientele. Every curve of a Bentley is designed to whisper wealth, not scream it. Every detail is engineered with precision and opulence in mind.
But even Bentley with all its craftsmanship has long played it safe with colour. The usual suspects: British Racing Green, Glacier White, Onyx Black, or that deep navy blue only true aristocrats can pull off without looking like they’ve borrowed their father’s car.
Until recently.
Now, I’m seeing Bentley dabble in rich plum, mulberry, amethyst, and aubergine tones. Purple, once deemed “too feminine” or “too bold,” is finally making its way onto the spec sheets of the most reserved marques.
And frankly? It’s about time.
Why Purple? Because It’s Not Beige
Purple is not just a colour. It’s a mood, a statement, a story.
- Lavender is calm luxury.
- Violet is creativity and confidence.
- Royal purple? Well, the name speaks for itself.
In Roman times, purple was reserved for emperors. In modern fashion, it’s associated with bold icons—think Prince, Vivienne Westwood, and those daring enough to mix elegance with eccentricity.
So why are car brands still clinging to conservative palettes? Why are Ferraris still defaulting to red and yellow like it’s 1985? You’re not just selling speed anymore—you’re selling identity.
Women Drive Luxury Too—And We Want Colour That Speaks
For too long, luxury cars have been designed by men, marketed to men, and painted in colours chosen to impress other men. But times have changed.
Women now make up over 50% of luxury car purchase decisions, and we’re not just asking for smaller steering wheels and pink stitching. We want performance with personality. And purple—when done well—is the colour of quiet power.
Ferrari, take note. You’ve mastered the scream of Rosso Corsa. Now show us you can whisper with Viola Hong Kong or Iris Nebula.
Purple isn’t soft. It’s strategic.
The Rise of the “Statement Spec” Generation
In an era of digital-first impressions, what you drive is your calling card. The newer generation of buyers—yes, even in the £250k bracket—don’t want to blend in. They want colour combinations that photograph well, feel exclusive, and align with their personal brand.
Instagram doesn’t reward silver. TikTok doesn’t trend beige.
Purple pops. Especially against matte finishes, carbon fibre accents, and even cream interiors.
This isn’t just about fashion—it’s smart product differentiation.
Bentley Did It First – Now It’s Time for Ferrari to Follow
Bentley’s bespoke Mulliner division has started offering stunning hues like Damson, Purple Silk, and Sequin Blue with violet undertones. I’ve seen them in person. They don’t shout. They glow.
These are the colours of people who know they’ve arrived—and don’t need to explain it.
Now imagine that energy wrapped around a Ferrari Roma Spider, or a Ferrari 296 Speciale A. You’d elevate the entire conversation from speed to style. You’d attract a clientele not just looking for performance, but for presence.
And isn’t that what Ferrari was always about?
The Colour Psychology of Luxury
Purple taps into emotional luxury. The kind that doesn’t need numbers on a spec sheet to justify its price. It’s spiritual, sensual, and just a little bit subversive.
In the Bentley GTC I reviewed last spring, finished in an amethyst gloss with a linen interior and lavender stitching, I had more strangers stop me than when I drove a bright red Ferrari through Monaco.
Why?
Because it wasn’t expected. And true luxury today is about the unexpected done exceptionally well.
The Future of Luxury is Less Masculine
We’re entering an era where gender-neutral elegance is the new status symbol. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin—all need to reconsider what their cars feel like, not just what they look like.
A purple Ferrari isn’t a “woman’s car.” It’s a confident person’s choice.
And if the future is electric (which it is), you better give customers colour to care about. Because once the exhaust notes go silent, design will do all the talking.
Gracie’s Final Word – From the Lavender Hills of Tuscany
After years of pushing men into velvet slippers, floral brogues, and white trousers, I’m now saying the same to car brands: Take a risk. Go purple. Dare to meet the drivers who aren’t afraid of elegance.
Bentley has started listening. Rolls-Royce is already there with its bespoke finishes. Ferrari? You’re next.
Because the next big trend in luxury cars isn’t speed.
It’s shade.
