Bentley Motors has unveiled two specially commissioned vehicles, the Bentayga Extended Wheelbase Artenara and the new Supersports, as a tribute to the British Armed Forces ahead of Remembrance Day 2026. Known within the company as the ‘Poppy Cars’, the bespoke models combine Bentley’s renowned craftsmanship with deeply symbolic artwork inspired by the sacrifices of military personnel and the enduring message of remembrance.
Every year, Remembrance Day provides an opportunity to honour those who lost their lives serving their country. For Bentley, however, this year’s tribute goes beyond a traditional commemorative gesture. The British luxury marque has transformed two of its most distinctive models into moving expressions of respect, remembrance and gratitude, using automotive design as a means of telling a story that extends far beyond the vehicles themselves.
The 2026 Remembrance collection consists of a Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheelbase Artenara and a Bentley Supersports, both featuring exclusive exterior artwork developed by Bentley’s design team in collaboration with the company’s colleague-led BeReady network.
The two cars have become an important part of Bentley’s annual commemorative activities, participating in the company’s Remembrance service at its headquarters in Crewe before travelling to the Anglesey circuit in Wales for Mission Motorsport’s Race of Remembrance. Following the event, the vehicles returned to Crewe, where Bentley employees gathered to pay their respects.
Bentley’s 2026 Remembrance Cars Draw Inspiration from In Flanders Fields
At the heart of the project is In Flanders Fields, the famous First World War poem written by Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. Its powerful imagery of poppies growing across battlefields has become one of the most recognisable symbols of remembrance, particularly in the United Kingdom.
Bentley’s designers have interpreted the poem as more than a reflection on loss. Its central message is a reminder from the fallen to the living, urging future generations to recognise the sacrifices made in defence of freedom and accept the responsibility of preserving the values for which others gave their lives.
The bespoke artwork follows a carefully considered narrative, exploring themes of peace amid destruction, reflection on those who have fallen, and the responsibility of those who remain.
Poppies blooming across a battlefield represent life, resilience and hope emerging from adversity, while larks soaring overhead provide another powerful symbol of freedom and the enduring human spirit. The central imagery pays tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, portraying them not simply as distant heroes but as ordinary people with families, relationships and lives that were tragically cut short.
The final element of the design delivers a message to future generations: remembrance should not be limited to a particular date on the calendar. Instead, it represents an ongoing commitment to honour the fallen, protect the freedoms they defended and carry their legacy into the future.
Robin Page, Director of Design at Bentley Motors, explained the thinking behind the project:
“Design is often judged by what it looks like, but its greatest value lies in how it makes us feel. These cars were created to inspire reflection, serving as a visible reminder that remembrance is not confined to a single day, but is a legacy that must be carried forward and shared by each generation.”
Bentley Craftsmanship with a Deeper Purpose
The 2026 Remembrance cars demonstrate how Bentley’s approach to bespoke design can extend beyond traditional luxury and personalisation. In this case, the company’s craftsmanship has become a storytelling medium, with every element of the exterior artwork contributing to a broader message of remembrance and respect.
Chris Cole, Bentley’s Product Line Director, highlighted the significance of combining the company’s craftsmanship with its commitment to the Armed Forces community.
“The Remembrance vehicles demonstrate how craftsmanship can be used to tell stories that matter. Every detail has been thoughtfully created to honour those who served, creating a lasting symbol of remembrance, respect and appreciation. Unveiled in the same year that Bentley was awarded Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) status, the highest recognition available to employers supporting the Armed Forces community, the vehicles underscore the company’s enduring commitment to veterans, reservists, serving personnel and their families.”
The Gold Employer Recognition Scheme award represents an important milestone for Bentley, recognising the company’s ongoing efforts to support people connected to the Armed Forces, including veterans, serving personnel, reservists and their families.
BeReady Network and a Personal Connection to Remembrance
The project carries particular significance for Bentley’s BeReady network, one of five internal Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) networks established to provide support and a sense of community among employees.
BeReady offers a dedicated environment for veterans, current reservists and their families, helping ensure that their experiences and contributions remain recognised within the organisation.
For the network’s members, the 2026 Remembrance vehicles represent much more than an exercise in bespoke automotive design. They provide an opportunity to reflect on bravery, sacrifice and the importance of preserving the memory of those who served.
There is also a deeply personal connection to Bentley’s history in Crewe. The annual tribute remembers 17 colleagues who tragically lost their lives 86 years ago when a bomb struck the factory while they were working on the production of Merlin aero engines.
Their sacrifice remains an important part of the company’s heritage and adds another dimension to the meaning behind this year’s commemorative project.
Beyond the two vehicles, Bentley employees have also contributed to the initiative through a more personal gesture. Members of the manufacturing team crocheted handmade poppies to raise funds for the Royal British Legion, the UK charity that supports members of the Armed Forces community, veterans and their families.
More Than Two Special Bentley Models
The Bentayga Extended Wheelbase Artenara and Supersports may represent two very different expressions of Bentley’s automotive philosophy, but their shared purpose makes them part of the same story.
The 2026 Poppy Cars demonstrate that luxury automotive craftsmanship can serve a purpose beyond performance, exclusivity and aesthetics. Through carefully considered design, employee involvement and a longstanding commitment to the Armed Forces community, Bentley has created two vehicles that act as rolling memorials to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Ultimately, the message behind the 2026 Remembrance project is straightforward but powerful: remembering the fallen is not simply about looking back. It is about recognising the freedoms inherited from previous generations and accepting the responsibility to protect them for those who will follow.
Source: Bentley