The Commonwealth Games have just started, and athletes from all over the world are descending upon Birmingham, England. Whilst most of us will be watching from the comfort of our homes, there will be some lucky fans who get to see the action up close and personal.
Here at Carmoola, we love watching sports events, but you know what else we like? Learning more about the cars featured in the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony!
Before we delve into the featured cars, let's first learn a bit about what the Games is all about.
Underpinned by the core values of humanity, equality and destiny, the Commonwealth Games aim to unite the Commonwealth family through a glorious festival of sport. Often referred to as the 'Friendly Games', the event is renowned for inspiring athletes to compete in the spirit of friendship and fair play.
Some of the most memorable sporting moments in history took place at the Commonwealth Games, including:
The encouraging ethos of the Games has stirred athletes to sprint faster, leap higher and push themselves to the very limits of what the human body is capable of.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, held in Birmingham, England, featured a vibrant display of cars as part of its celebration of the city’s rich automotive heritage. These cars drove into the stadium and formed the Union Jack in a stunning display.
Birmingham and the West Midlands are known for their significant contributions to the British car industry, and it's only fitting that cars play a vital role in the ceremony. Here are some of them.
A fleet of colourful and customised Mini Coopers played a central role in the ceremony. Each car displayed unique designs, reflecting the city’s diversity and creativity.
The Minis were used in a vibrant sequence, representing Birmingham's long-standing association with the car manufacturing industry, particularly the Mini production at the Longbridge factory.
Land Rover Defenders and other notable British vehicles also made an appearance in the ceremony, symbolising Birmingham and the West Midlands’ contributions to iconic automotive brands.
These cars represent the engineering excellence of the region, home to Jaguar Land Rover and other automotive giants.
During the 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony in Birmingham, Prince Charles drove into the arena in a classic Aston Martin DB6 Volante. This iconic car holds a special significance as it has been part of the Royal Family for decades.
This car runs on sustainable E85 bioethanol fuel, made partly from surplus English wine and whey from cheese-making. It was especially important to Prince Charles as it was a gift from the Queen on his 21st birthday in 1969.
Driving this classic beauty added a touch of elegance and tradition to the opening ceremony as it symbolised the prince's personal connection to the vehicle while highlighting his eco-conscious ethos.
The Commonwealth Games is more than a sports event, it is a celebration of excellence, camaraderie, tradition, and a shared vision of a better future.
Apart from the classic cars featured during the ceremony, the Games also took the opportunity to use and promote a variety of electric vehicles, fuel cell-powered hydrogen vehicles, and plug-in hybrids.
The 2022 Games certainly set the tone for events and individuals alike to aim for more carbon-neutral and sustainable choices, especially in the vehicles they drive. 👍