Individuality (CP 2/2009)

Carmakers are increasingly using bold and distinctive color tones. Picking up on this trend early on, BASF Coatings developed “XColors – designed by BASF,” a new color concept.

The first fruits of this concept were shown in April of this year at the European Coatings Show in Nuremberg, where BASF Coatings and Merck jointly presented an Audi Q5 coated with the special Black Violet finish.

Referred to by Audi as a “black panther crystal” effect, this finish was developed in an exclusive partnership between AUDI AG and BASF Coatings. “We developed this sporty and elegant color tone especially for AUDI,” says BASF Coatings Color Designer Eva Höfli.

“This color tone reinforces the Audi Q5’s sporty image and dynamic contours. Individualistic, image-defining color tones are a key innovation factor.”

Stephan Schwarte, head of Color Development at BASF Coatings, adds: “The XColors product array affords car makers both cutting-edge design and maximum process reliability in the coating line. Now car makers can utilize color even more effectively as a differentiating feature.”

Elegant SUV: The Audi Q5 in XColors “black panther crystal” effect