A fresh colour programme is now available for the latest-generation Porsche Panamera. These include but are not limited to Montego Blue Metallic, Ice Grey Metallic, Lugano Blue and Madeira Gold Metallic.

Madeira Gold Metallic, for example, is a warm, cognac-hued colour tone that evokes a golden autumn. Subtle effect pigments create a metallic brilliance and underline the overall effect of high performance and elegance.

In conjunction with the new paints, Porsche has also restructured the range of series, metallic and special colours across all model series. The new categories: Contrasts, Shades, Dreams and Legends. These reflect a variety of topics, and their emotional labels make it easier for the customer to choose a colour.

Contrasts comprises particularly classic and timeless colours. Black and white, for example, create maximum contrast. On the other hand, various shadings of white, grey and black fall into the Shades category, which also includes silver tones such as the new Ice Grey Metallic paint.

The Dreams category brings strong, bright, striking colours. New Dreams paints include Lugano Blue and Madeira Gold Metallic. Finally, the Legends category brings together unusual colours with a certain je ne sais quoi. Examples include Montego Blue Metallic, Oak Green Metallic Neo and Slate Grey Neo.

Of course, there will be customers who want more. Alongside the series colour programme, Porsche offers even more individualised paints with “Paint to Sample” and “Paint to Sample Plus.” With “Paint to Sample”, the focus is on the availability of classic Porsche colours recognisable from Porsche’s history, with more than 170 colours available across all model series. “Paint to Sample Plus” also offers the option to create totally individual colours based on customer specifications.

But how are these new paint colours made?

Naturally, it takes years to develop and make available a new paint scheme. Such lengthy procedures mean that the experts at Style Porsche always have to be ahead of their time. “A new colour has to be more than just a trend – it has to establish itself over a longer period,” emphasises Volker Müller, Head of Colour & Trim at Style Porsche. “We therefore have to identify trends early and sometimes set these trends ourselves.”

“We actually have it easy, because every colour looks good on a Porsche,” said Daniela Milošević, Colour & Trim Designer at Style Porsche, with a smile. A selection process is conducted nonetheless. From the approximately 12 to 15 new colours designed by the team every year, the overall Executive Board chooses the colours to be developed further. If these paints prove to be technically feasible, they go into series production in the following three years.

During the research for new colour topics, so-called mood boards are created – visual representations of concepts and visions. The tools used here
include an internal workshop among the designers in which new colour and material topics are discussed and new ideas created.

Only then do suppliers enter the picture. “We present our colour ideas to the paint suppliers and discuss them topic by topic. It’s a fruitful discussion because even more wonderful ideas emerge during this creative process,” says Milošević.

“The suppliers work out the new colours for us using a range of colour pigments,” explains Müller. Specifically, this leads to different interpretations
of colour and multiple colour-tone creations. Naturally, the colour ideas must be technically feasible and correspond to the demands of each individual market worldwide. Furthermore, an exterior colour must also be in harmony with the interior and has to go well with leather, Race-Tex and other fabrics.

The next step involves painting “colour frogs” in the respective colours. These are miniature cars in the form of a current 911 that enable the effect of the colours on a larger 3D body to be photo-realistically assessed on a 16-meter-wide LED screen, where exterior colours of new model series or derivatives can be changed at the push of a button.

Of course, the final decision on whether to run with a new colour idea or not falls to the overall Executive Board. A painted car is presented for each colour.

The top management of Porsche evaluates the cars both in daylight and visualised digitally on various derivatives on the LED screen in the studio’s own presentation hall.

This is where things move up a notch into a slightly larger scale. A medium-sized paint batch of around 50 to 100 kilograms is produced, which is then used to paint around 300 steel plates. These plates are known as “original samples” and become colour references for suppliers of add-on parts. Colour matching is crucial since colours behave fundamentally differently on metals and plastics.

Things don’t end there. A rigorous series of tests and safeguards go into effect to ensure that the new paints lay onto a car’s bodywork without colour deviations from being atomised in the spray guns. Ambient conditions and paint robot specifications also affect how paint is sprayed and cured, so processes need to be tailored to each individual factory.

Finally, to ensure new paint colours will withstand the test of time and nature, the sample plates are irradiated with strong UV light for 3,200 hours, which is analogous to a year’s worth of direct sunlight exposure in Florida.

The testing process also includes fire protection, stone impact and saltwater tests.

Things are not as simple as just mixing up a new colour and “slapping it on.”

Photo Credits: Porsche

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With COE prices skyrocketing to oblivion, new cars are becoming less obtainable to the majority of buyers. As such, they may be looking into either renewing their current car’s COE, or shopping in the pre-owned market.

While older cars tend to have lesser features, they can be just as reliable as their brand-new counterparts. As long as you don’t neglect regular servicing, they can happily pur along our roads for years to come. Here are some common faults that older cars tend to have, and how to avoid them.

Regular maintenance is key

With thousands of components working together in tandem, there’s so much that can go wrong in an engine, especially in older cars where components may be worn down. Thus, we feel it’s vital to get your older car looked at by a mechanic or workshop at least once a year.

The last thing you want is an unexpected problem to pop up when you are out for a nice drive. Being stranded at the side of the road is never a fun thing to experience, so to avoid this it’s always in your best interest to bring your car in for regular servicing.

Oil’s well that ends well

If you can’t remember the last time you changed your oil, go do it now. Healthy cars are regularly serviced, and arguably one of the easiest things to replace is engine oil.

Over time, oil can lose its viscosity, and you don’t want black sludge to be running around in your engine, clogging vital engine components. Worse still, if you do not have sufficient oil circulating in your engine, this can lead to overheating or accelerated wear and tear.

If you are unsure of what grade of oil to put in, consult your car’s owner’s manual for the recommended type. You can either take your car to a trusted mechanic or if you aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty, oil changes are a great way to enter the world of DIY auto repairs.

Keeping it cool

Your engine is making thousands of explosions a day to keep you moving down the road. Understandably, things will get pretty hot, which is why cars have cooling systems.

While it doesn’t need to be replaced as often, coolant is just as important as oil in an engine. Make sure your car is topped off with coolant, and it’s always good to keep an eye on your temperature gauge for older cars. If there are any leaks coming from your radiator or hoses, get them replaced immediately. Without cooling, your car may suffer catastrophic failures, and blown engine parts are not something you would want to deal with.

Timing is everything

Most modern cars have a timing belt or chain which ensures all moving parts of the engine run smoothly. But, improper maintenance or worn belts can kill your car’s engine in a matter of seconds.

As a general guide, timing belts need to be replaced every 100,000 to 150,000 kilometres, while chains are more robust and need to be changed less frequently, with each needing to be replaced only every 130,000 to 200,000 kilometres, depending on your engine or car.

This isn’t going to be a cheap workshop visit, but once you get it over with, you won’t have to worry about another one for years.

Invest in the best tyres and brakes

We’ve all experienced this before – you ran over something while driving and your tyre is now a shredded mess. You obviously need a new tyre, and you hesitate on spending hundreds of dollars on a reputable brand, so you cheap out and get a tyre with a questionable brand. You do save money now, but going cheap on essentials like tyres can cost you more further down the line.

Tyres are one of the most important parts of a car. These round pieces of black rubber are the only things connecting your car to the road and are built to be able to keep you safe, even in precarious driving conditions. While they are cheaper, off-brand tyres may wear out faster or unevenly. Plus, without proper certification, these tyres may not be able to work effectively in situations like emergency braking or aquaplaning. To stay safe on the roads, it is advisable to get tyre brands that are reputable.

This rule also applies to your brakes. They’re the only things that can stop your car effectively, and having sub-par brakes may affect your car’s effective braking distance in emergencies. If you love your car, pay a little more and get the best. Trust us, it can save you money over the long haul!

Don’t be afraid to drive it

Say you own an older, high-mileage car. Yes, it is going to have its quirks, but contrary to popular belief, driving your car regularly can actually prolong its life.

A car that’s driven regularly is definitely a happy car, and driving it can keep things like hoses and gaskets from drying out, while essential vehicle fluids like oil, and coolants keep metal parts sufficiently lubricated and cool.

If you neglect an old car for a while, chances are you’ll start seeing leaks, and it is not an enjoyable experience to frequently visit workshops. So do your car a favour, and drive it regularly.

Need easy and simple car maintenance?

Here at AutoApp, we have lots of specialists who are able to take care of your car’s regular servicing. Best of all, you don’t even have to do anything! Just book an appointment via our mobile application, and sit back and relax as our team handles all the nitty gritty for you. It’s that simple!

Check out what NOT to do with an automatic gearbox, and more car maintenance tips and tricks.