Wanderlust

Category: Color Check

  • Color Check: Porsche Oak Green Metallic Neo in New 911 GT3 Touring Marketing Shots

    Color Check: Porsche Oak Green Metallic Neo in New 911 GT3 Touring Marketing Shots

    Porsche just revealed the updated 911 GT3 Touring and has followed that up with a few more shots of the launch car specification. That car is listed as Porsche Oak Green Metallic Neo (oakgrünneo; metallic; M6E; Porsche) in the press materials, and we also wanted to include these few more marketing shots for even further details of the car.

    Oak Green Metallic has been around Porsche for decades, and like a lot of iconic colors Porsche is reformulating them and bringing them back with the “Neo” suffix to denote the change.

    We’re embedding the Facebook post that included the photos should you want to see them in their original format. We’re also adding them here to our gallery. Worth noting, these photos look a bit more on the blue side and a bit less on the gold side of the green spectrum than do the PR shots released earlier. While we haven’t seen Oak Green Metallic Neo in person yet, these images also look more blue than the original Porsche Oak Green we’ve seen on other cars. If you’re considering Porsche Oak Green Metallic Neo, click HERE to check out other stories featuring the color if you want a wider sample set.

  • Color Check: Revisiting Borusan Turkish Blue by BMW Welt / BMW Museum

    Color Check: Revisiting Borusan Turkish Blue by BMW Welt / BMW Museum

    This isn’t the first time we’ve featured BMW Individual Borusan Turkish Blue (borusantürkischblau; non-metallic uni; P9E; BMW). Just a few weeks ago, BMW M shared an M4 Competition in the hue on their social media channels. This week, BMW Welt / BMW Museum is doing the same, only this time it’s a long roof.

    We should probably start by applauding BMW Welt / BMW Museum. That the brand has their own social media channels for their headquarters consumer welcome facility is worth noting. Not all brands do it, but BMW spent a lot of money on creating the ultimate year-long BMW Group auto show space just across from the iconic cylindrical BMW Museum so why chince out when it comes to budget to communicate it. BMW didn’t, and as a result owners like the guy taking delivery of this M3 Touring get highlighted on an official platform, and nerds keeping track of attractions at the brand’s Münich headquarters or keeping close eye on tailored builds such as this one benefit from the extra effort. Kudos to you BMW.

    And, kudos for cars like this one getting built. Borusan Turkish Blue as a color is a bright and bold blue, set on the more cyan/teal side of the blue spectrum. It’s not altogether that different from something like a Porsche Riviera Blue, and we’d love to see the two next to each other. One of the reasons we ran this story even though we recently featured that other post by BMW M is because these are real world shots in bright sun, whereas the previous post was in a medium to low light studio. That contrast gives those keeping track a better idea of the color, so we wanted to include it.

    Alas, we don’t get the M3 Touring in the United States and that’s a real shame, but we are about to get the M5 Touring and BMW Individual is also alive and well on this side of the pond. To that end, we hope you feel inspired. We know we do.

  • Color Check: UK Market Audi RS 4 Avant edition 25 years

    Color Check: UK Market Audi RS 4 Avant edition 25 years

    Near as we can tell, Imola Yellow first hit the market on the B5 S4, continuing as a regular standard color on S4 and RS 4 variants into the early B8 era of that Audi platform. Audi’s Vegas Yellow has taken the position as the leading standard sport color palette yellow and even go-to Audi exclusive yellow since then, leaving the once popular Imola a seldom seen hue in the modern era. Then Audi dropped its throwback tribute RS 4 Avant edition 25 years and Imola Yellow was back… at least on a very few RS 4 Avants.

    If you’re one of our North American readers, you can chalk this one up to “forbidden fruit” status. The RS 4 Avant isn’t sold in the U.S. or Canada, and Audi’s North American importers didn’t do an in-kind RS 5 Sportback before either recently ceased production as the factory shifts to B10 production. Even still, it’s great to see Imola on a modern car.

    Another thing we like about these sorts of shoots is that the subsequent detailed photography we see here from Audi UK is also great for those keeping close track of partsbin components. Yes, the bulk of our focus are the factory tailors, however drilling down on those who love to comb through other market offerings for key component upgrades in the OEM+ genre of car modification are also close to our hearts. We’ve been known to partake in this practice when car companies don’t make such components available in their own right.

    We’ve covered the RS 4 Avant edition 25 years before (check the tag cloud below this story), but we’re still running these. Besides the aforementioned OEM+ part considerations, real world photos are always a great way to gauge a color, and detailed shoots like this are also inspirational when you consider more open book tailored orders.

  • Color Check: Ascari Blue and Neodym Gold Matte on New Audi RS Q8

    Color Check: Ascari Blue and Neodym Gold Matte on New Audi RS Q8

    In the context of the new and facelift RS Q8, Ascari Blue isn’t an Audi exclusive color. Nevertheless, getting a closer look at the color in the real world lighting of these new shots from Audi UK, as well as how it pairs with Neodym Gold Matte wheels from the RS Q8’s latest parts bin convinced us to run a gallery anyway.

    First, let’s consider Ascari Blue. Like some other colors and shades at Audi (looking at you Nardo Grey), Ingolstadt quietly launched the paint color as a most definitely Audi exclusive offering. Our first memory of the color was being painted on a collection of Ascari Blue RS show cars from Audi Sport GmbH at a European Auto Show. It eventually filtered into standard color palettes at first for RS cars, but most recently on many, many more – the new A5, new A6 e-tron, SQ8 and more. Like Nardo Grey, it is a fantastic color, though one that likely suffers from its own success and subsequent ubiquity. It is no longer on the more exclusive side of Audi exclusive color offerings.

    But yes, it’s still handsome. It also pairs interestingly with these new double Y-spoke 23-inch wheels finished in Nodym Gold Matte. For starters, the wheels aren’t far from the great-looking wheels seen on some of Audi’s more recent concept cars, while also seeming to harken both the brand’s 6-spoke Avus heritage, and also perhaps the split spoke look of wheels made most famous on the B7 RS 4. Whatever the inspiration, some or all of the above, the wheels look great… especially in a subtle gold matte.

    Granted, the blue and gold motif in the context of the United Kingdom does have echos of Subaru Rally’s 555 era with Colin McRae, but for a car nerd reference at that depth we’re guessing the same critic will appreciate Audi’s own first player position as early all-wheel drive proponent and world rally champion in its own right… though maybe more Mouton than McRae.

    Back to the RS Q8, we’ve added it here for color check purposes. If you like Ascari, then you probably don’t mind seeing how it pairs with gold. And if you’re interested in the new RS Q8, then you probably appreciate seeing some of the first real-world shots of the car thanks to our friends at Audi UK.

  • Color Check: Audi exclusive Piemont Red A5 Cabriolet at Audi Forum in 2012

    Color Check: Audi exclusive Piemont Red A5 Cabriolet at Audi Forum in 2012

    Check out the specification sheet of the Audi A5 Cabriolet you see here and you’ll note it is incredibly expensive. That is so because it’s loaded with Audi exclusive paint and a highly tailored interior, which of course makes sense when you consider it was built to showcase customization and presented in the Audi exclusive studio at the brand forum in Neckarsulm.

    The color is Piemont Red (piemontrot; Pearl Effect; Z3H; Audi exclusive), and initially turned up on the 2012 A3 sedan concept earlier that year. And while we’re not sure if the code may have been slightly reformulated from concept to full-on production, it remains an incredible deep and dark red.

    On the stand of the A3 sedan, then member of the Audi design team Stefan Sielaff shared with us that the paint color had been named for the region of Northern Italy where so many Audi staff enjoy vacations. That region is known for its red wine production, and Piemont Red harks that wine and those grapes.

    Shortly after debuting the A3 Sedan concept, this A5 turned up at the Audi Forum Neckarsulm where we were visiting that year and nabbed a few photos. Its Cognac Brown interior is an excellent pairing with Piemont Red, and Cognac remains a popular standard option in cars like the Audi RS 6, RS 7 and RS Q8 today.

    Convertible Audi models are frequently popular at the Audi exclusive studio because, parked as they are with top down, the unique specifications of their interiors are on full display. These photographs are from 2012 and the A5 (B8) had just been updated, which made for an even better opportunity to exhibit all the latest the brand had to offer.

    While not as common as other Audi exclusive colors like Nogaro Blue or Goodwood Green, Piemont Red is appreciated enough that it is seen with some regularity on Audi exclusive builds, and certainly not one of the most obscure colors on the Audi exclusive palette. It’s also got a great history and back story.

  • Color Check: BMW Individual Urban Green Solid on XM

    Color Check: BMW Individual Urban Green Solid on XM

    BMW M continues to share ideas of what you can do with its BMW Individual paint program, this time painting a figuratively green SUV like the XM in a literally green color Urban Green. Listed as “Urban Green solid” on the associated social media post, we’re assuming that means it’s non-metallic or pearlescent.

    We’re loving the throwback nature of colors like Urban Green. They seem to hark the olive greens and tans of the late 70s that you’d see on an early E21 3-series or the like. They look fantastic on a thoroughly modern crossover like the XM.

    One other thing worth mentioning is the link in the post by BMW M (the post HERE). That link takes you to the BMW Individual Configurator, which makes for a great way to spend a couple hours imagining the possibilities.

  • Color Check: M3 CS in BMW Individual Signal Green Solid

    Color Check: M3 CS in BMW Individual Signal Green Solid

    Signal Green is a common name thrown out over the years. While perhaps not as ubiquitously used as say a British Racing Green, we’re guessing that Signal Green (signalgrün; non-metallic uni; P56; BMW) isn’t always the same Signal Green. Granted, Signal is usually a primary green, but whether it’s formulated the same remains to be seen. In this case, we’re talking about BMW Individual’s take on Signal Green solid.

    BMW M posted photos of this M3 CS on their social media channels earlier today. Not much is known about further spec on the car due to the nature of a short social media post. Nevertheless, the photos are a solid (ahem) indication of what a BMW Individual client will get should they specify “Signal Green” from the house of M.

  • Color Check: Bentley Continental GTC Speed First Edition in Bronze

    Color Check: Bentley Continental GTC Speed First Edition in Bronze

    As part of the Global Media Drive for the new Continental GT Speed in Andermatt Switzerland, Bentley has released photos of each car on location for the drive. This includes full build specifications. Over the last few days we’ve been color checking all of them, and our final specification is this tasteful brown droptop.

    Technically, the Mulliner hue is known simply as Bronze. Whether bronze (little B) or brown we really don’t care. It’s attractive, and that is especially so when paired with granite painted exterior brightware and machined 22-inch ten swept spoke wheels.

    The specification gets even better on the inside where the monotone cabin is Cumbrian Green leather with Camel accents, dark tint Engine Turned Aluminum fascias and contrast stitching throughout.

    Worth noting, the car also has several options that we’ll list here along with U.S. pricing. These include First Edition Specification ($41,190), Carbon Ceramic Brakes with Painted Calipers ($18,820), Extended Range Solid and Metallic Paint ($8,655), 22-inch Ten Swept Spoke Wheels ($4,000) and Contrast Stitching ($3,930).

    First Edition Specification includes Touring Specification, Front Seat Comfort Specification, Front Wellness Seating including postural and lumbar adjustment, Naim Audio, Bentley Rotating Display, Technical Veneer Choice or Single Finish Veneer, Animated LED Welcome Lamps by Mulliner, Mood Lighting Specification, Deep Pile Overmats front and rear, First Edition Exterior Badge, First Edition Treadplates, First Edition Embroidery to Seats, Garage Door Opener and Valet Key. 

    Front Seat Comfort Specification (included in First Edition Specification) includes Adjustable Seat Bolsters, Adjustable Seat Cushion Length, Power Adjustable Headrest, Ventilation and Massage, Heated Front Armrest and Hide Trimmed Seat Belt Buckles.

    Touring Specification (included in First Edition Specification) includes Lane Guidance, Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control, Night Vision and Head-up Display.

  • Color Check: Audi exclusive Berry Pearl at Audi Forum Neckarsulm

    Color Check: Audi exclusive Berry Pearl at Audi Forum Neckarsulm

    For fans of tailored cars, a visit to the Audi Forum Neckarsulm is well worth making your way to Audi’s Heilbronn headquarters. It’s on the second floor of that customer delivery center that Audi exclusive maintains its own showroom where cars built to show off the four rings’ in-house tailoring capabilities are displayed. One of those cars during our visit in October of 2022 was this RS 4 Avant (vin: WUAZZZF44NA901565) in Berry Pearl (beerepearleffekt; pearl effect UNI; Z4W; Audi exclusive).

    The RS 4 Avant isn’t available in all markets. So, for our mainly North American audience, this car would be forbidden fruit even in its most common form. For us though, the truly noteworthy element of this car is the paint color. Berry Pearl is a striking dark pink bordering on purple. Consider it Audi’s Rubystar, though its pearlescent base gives it much more depth than that 90s era pink from the Porsche Cup of that 964 era.

    We typically photograph spec sheets for cars such as this, so we’ve included that also (in German of course) in our photo gallery of the car below.

  • Color Check: BMW Individual Borusan Turkish Blue on M3 Competition Touring

    Color Check: BMW Individual Borusan Turkish Blue on M3 Competition Touring

    If you’re a fan of bold racing blues then it’s worth taking note of the latest set of M3 Competition Touring photos posted by BMW M to social media (HERE). BMW Individual Borusan Turkish Blue (borusantürkischblau; non-metallic; P9E; BMW) seems to fall more on the green side of the blue spectrum, almost similar to Porsche Riviera Blue.

    On social media, the folks at BMW M have gotten quite adept at regularly posting great photography of interesting tailored builds in order to promote the BMW Individual program and its many, many offerings. They’re also using it to drive traffic to the BMW Individual Configurator, which makes for a great way to spend a couple hours imagining the possibilities.

    Also, hat tip to Frank van Meet and the rest of the team at BMW M who keep building cars like a Borusan Turkish Blue M3 Competition in long roof, station wagon “Touring” guise. In a world of SUVs, driving enthusiasts can’t thank you enough.