Bentley introduces Spectraflair finishes as new paint shop opens in Crewe
Bentley has opened its new state-of-the-art paint shop in Crewe, expanding its bespoke color offering to nearly 100 exterior paint finishes. To mark the occasion, the brand has revealed a one-off Continental GT S finished in Spectral Verdant, the first Bentley to feature a paint specification incorporating Spectraflair pigment technology.
While the facility itself is a major step in Bentley’s manufacturing strategy, the key development from a paint perspective is the introduction of Spectraflair-based finishes into the brand’s Mulliner portfolio, enabling new levels of metallic depth and color travel.
Spectral Verdant with Spectraflair effect
The debut car is finished in Spectral Verdant, a green color enhanced with Spectraflair pigments to create a shifting iridescent effect. Under different lighting conditions, the surface reveals subtle flashes of blue, violet, and other spectral tones that move across the bodywork.
The result is a finish that feels more dynamic than a traditional metallic paint, with its appearance changing significantly depending on viewing angle and light source.
Spectral Verdant is the exterior color, while Spectraflair refers to the pigment system used to achieve the color-shifting effect within the finish.
While presented as a new development within Bentley’s palette, similar optical pigment systems have been used across the industry for years, with manufacturers offering comparable color-shifting finishes through their bespoke paint programmes, the most well-known being Porsche's Chromaflair paints.
The Continental GT S seen here, is further distinguished by a hand-painted Ghost White Pearlescent Union Flag racing stripe, demonstrating the level of craftsmanship now available through Mulliner.
A paint shop built for expanding paint complexity
The new 12,500-square-meter paint shop allows Bentley to expand its color and finish capabilities, supporting both standard and highly bespoke paint specifications. Customers now have access to nearly 100 exterior colors, with further scope for more complex finishes in the future.
Recent additions such as satin finishes and Ombré by Mulliner highlight Bentley’s growing focus on advanced exterior paintwork, with Spectraflair-based finishes now joining this expanding toolkit.
Manufacturing innovation behind the finish
Alongside paint development, the facility introduces new production technologies, including Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) that transport vehicle bodies between workstations. This system improves flexibility and supports more complex bespoke builds.
The Paint Shop also incorporates improved energy recovery systems, water-based primers, and reduced waste processes, aligning with Bentley’s broader efficiency and sustainability goals.
Watch the official video
A short video from Bentley showcases both the new Paint Shop and the creation of the Continental GT S in Spectral Verdant, offering a closer look at how the finish is applied.
Conversation
No comments yet.
Be the first to start a conversation.
Login or create an account to join the conversation.