Study: Greens gaining ground among car colors

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Design/Style

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray in Lime Rock Green

BASF has released its latest forecast of color trends, and there’s a bit of a shake up. The green color range is gaining in popularity, which is a welcome sign if you’re tired of the dominance of blacks, whites and silvers. According to Mark Gutjahr, BASF’s head of European design, “With new technologies, new models and new mobility concepts, a shift in values is on the horizon. In this context, green as the color of growth and a new beginning is playing a key role.”

Yes, green. This follows last year’s BASF trend report, which said we’d see more earthy tones on the cars of the future. The BASF study says green “stands for new values such as straightforwardness, responsibility and individuality.” While we don’t see anything nearly so deep in paint colors, there’s no debating that shades of green have been gaining in popularity. Formerly the realm of British cars, you can snag a shade of green on everything from a Ford Fiesta in Green Envy, to a Mustang in Gotta Have It Green to a Chevrolet Spark in Jalapeno. Even the all-new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray can be had sporting a deep Lime Rock Green.

BASF also hinted at the future of paint colors, mentioning matte shades, like that of our long-term Hyundai Veloster Turbo. Take a look below for the full press release from BASF.

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Greens gaining ground among car colors originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Aug 2013 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: 2014 Chevy Sonic to offer short-term limited-edition colors

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Crossover, Chevrolet, Design/Style

2014 Chevy Sonic - front three-quarter view - Deep Magenta Metallic paint

When Chevrolet launched its subcompact Sonic, it made a splash with a bright paint dubbed Inferno Orange. The metallic citrus shade was a genuine retina searer, featuring prominently in the car’s early marketing efforts as its so-called ‘launch color.’ But Inferno Orange is now gone from the Sonic’s order sheets, and the rest of the car’s color palate is more traditional and – dare we say it – a bit sober.

But that’s about to change – Chevy has just announced that it will begin releasing a range of limited-edition short-term paint colors beginning with the “chromatic plum” shade seen above, Deep Magenta Metallic. The striking hue came about after witnessing the successful launch of the Chevy Spark in Techno Pink. The special paint will only be available from August through October, but Chevy hasn’t revealed if it is capping the number of vehicles it will produce in this shade.

Chevy says that Deep Magenta Metallic will be followed up by Cool Blue, a shade the company describes as “a grayish, dirty blue.” The latter will be available from November until March, and another new shade, Dragon Green, will join the Sonic’s permanent color choices sometime in the first quarter of 2014. Interestingly, the company says that a typical Chevy vehicle receives “10 to 12 color options throughout its lifecycle.” The Sonic already received a similar number of paints before Deep Magenta Metallic and it’s still relatively early in the car’s lifecycle, so clearly Chevy sees small car buyers as being receptive to a broader range of color choices.

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2014 Chevy Sonic to offer short-term limited-edition colors originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jul 2013 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Cars show their colors at Sebring [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Cadillac, Racing

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Car at Sebring

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Car at Sebring – Click above for high-res image gallery

There’s really not a whole lot more we can tell you about the pair of Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Cars that will be forming a two-pronged attack of the Sports Car Club of America World Challenge GT starting on March 25 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

That said, we can still all stare at all the pretty pictures that General Motors has been so kind as to release upon the masses. Check out our high-res image gallery below, where you’ll see the two cars in all their specially prepared, tire-squealing and exhaust-popping glory. Also note that this is the first time the cars have been displayed wearing the official livery of Andy Pilgrim (the No. 8 car) and teammate Johnny O’Connell (the No. 3 car) and they are lapping Sebring for a second session.

*Update: Video of the second testing session can be found after the break.

Gallery: Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Car at Sebring

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Car at SebringCadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Car at SebringCadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Car at SebringCadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Car at SebringCadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Car at Sebring

[Source: Cadillac]

Continue reading Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Cars show their colors at Sebring [w/video]

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Cars show their colors at Sebring [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2011: Shelby adds new colors, convertible option to the GT350 for 2012

Filed under: Aftermarket, Chicago Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Ford

2012 Shelby GT350 Convertible

2012 Shelby GT350 Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Shelby GT350 followed nearly the same philosophy as the Ford Model T. You could get it in any color you want as long as it was white with blue stripes. That’s changing for 2012, as Shelby will also be offering the GT350 in Race Red and Kona Blue. A convertible option will be available, as well. In fact, this is the first time Shelby has built a drop-top GT350 since 1970.

The 2012 GT350 will offer up identical performance as the 2011 model, although one could argue that it didn’t need an upgrade in the first place. Customers can choose between the 430-horsepower base model or opt for either 525- or 624-horsepower versions. Additional upgrades include a full body kit, Cragar wheels, larger brakes, sport suspension and more. The convertible also comes with the option of a light bar. You can read full details about the 2012 Shelby GT350 after the jump, and check out our live photos from the show floor in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2012 Shelby GT350 Convertible

2012 Shelby GT350 Convertible2012 Shelby GT350 Convertible2012 Shelby GT350 Convertible2012 Shelby GT350 Convertible2012 Shelby GT350 Convertible

Gallery: 2012 Shelby GT350

2012 Shelby GT3502012 Shelby GT3502012 Shelby GT350

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Shelby]

Continue reading Chicago 2011: Shelby adds new colors, convertible option to the GT350 for 2012

Chicago 2011: Shelby adds new colors, convertible option to the GT350 for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin prices Cygnet, announces two launch colors

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Aston Martin, UK, Luxury

Aston Martin Cygnet Launch Editions

Aston Martin Cygnet Launch Editions – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you’ve been wondering exactly how much Aston Martin plans on charging for the pleasure of owning its new Toyota iQ Cygnet, wonder no more. The company has officially released pricing details on its first sub-compact. For the lowly price of just £30,995, you can slide behind the leather-wrapped wheel and avoid the hassle of having to shell out for those pesky congestion charges in downtown London.

Seems perfectly justifiable to us.

Aston Martin is offering two special-edition version of the Cygnet to commemorate the car’s launch. The first, fittingly called the Cygnet Launch Edition White, is slathered in Snow White paint. If this is Aston Martin’s interpretation of the fairest of them all, we’d hate to see the seven dwarves. The exterior also gets plenty of chrome bright work and custom wheels, while the interior gets pearl-white leather and satin chrome accents.

If that’s just not naughty enough for you, Aston Martin is also offering up the Cygnet Launch Edition Black. The evil twin is dipped in Magic Black paint that hides shades of green. Matte-black louvers and chrome accents dominate the rest of the exterior, while the cabin is treated to diamond-pattern black leather. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

Gallery: Aston Martin Cygnet Launch Editions

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin prices Cygnet, announces two launch colors

Aston Martin prices Cygnet, announces two launch colors originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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