Wanderlust

Tag: Color Focus – BMW Individual

  • Color Focus: BMW Macao Blue Metallic – 250

    Color Focus: BMW Macao Blue Metallic – 250

    CODE: 250

    TYPE: Metallic uni

    CONTENT ARCHIVE: Macao Blue

    SUMMARY:

    BMW Macao Blue Metallic is a color that’s only ever been standard on M cars. It debuted on the BMW M3 (type E30) in 1986, though didn’t carry over to more modern M-cars until 2016 when it resurfaced as the spec color for the BMW M3 30 Jahre (type F80).

    Macao Blue Metallic is a darker blue, sitting more on the purple side of the blue spectrum. Most often, it appears as blue, though purple undertones seem to pop under certain lighting.

    Given its history with BMW’s M division, Macao Blue is a subtle choice that can be had from BMW Individual, harkening an if-you-know-you-know appreciative nod from other BMW aficionados while largely going unnoticed to average members of the populace.

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  • Color Focus: BMW Estoril Blue – 335

    Color Focus: BMW Estoril Blue – 335

    CODE:  335

    TYPE: Metallic

    CONTENT ARCHIVE: BMW Estoril Blue

    SUMMARY:

    Introduced in 1992 on the E36 M3, Estoril Blue (estorilblau; metallic; 335; BMW) has become one of the more memorable rad-era colors to come from BMW M. BMW shares that the color was inspired by the blues of Portugal where the Estoril racing circuit calls home. Whether it’s the cool blue surf of the Atlantic Ocean off the Portuguese coast or the almost always-clear skies overhead, the reference to Estoril definitely sticks. That BMW Motorsport in both two and four-wheeled forms has plenty of history with the Portuguese track doesn’t hurt either.

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  • Color Focus: BMW Zandvoort Blue – C6E

    Color Focus: BMW Zandvoort Blue – C6E

    CODE:  C6E

    TYPE: Non-Metallic

    CONTENT ARCHIVE: BMW Zandvoort Blue

    SUMMARY:

    Near as we can tell, Zandvoort Blue (zandvoortblau; non-metallic uni; C6E, BMW) was introduced with the launch of the G87-generation BMW M2 as a standard color. Similar to Yas Marina Blue in the F80 M3 era, Zandvoort Blue appears to be a color-coordinated stand-in for the blue amongst the three colors in the BMW M tricolore rhombus.

    Traditionally in the M motorsport logo, that blue is a light blue based on the Bavarian blue from the blue checks in the flag of Bavaria. In Zandvoort Blue’s case, it’s a bit lighter and not altogether far from Porsche Gulf Blue. Whatever the case, and artistic license considered, Zandvoort is the latest take on the blue in that logo as one of several representative colors in the G87 M2 color palette.

    Also worth noting is the significance of the name. Circuit Zandvoort is a race track with F1 pedigree in The Netherlands.

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  • Color Focus: BMW Individual Dakar Yellow – 337

    Color Focus: BMW Individual Dakar Yellow – 337

    CODE: 337

    TYPE: Non-Metallic

    CONTENT ARCHIVE: Dakar Yellow

    SUMMARY:
    BMW named this yellow hue after the iconic Dakar Rally, the ultimate rally raid style endurance race that originally trekked from Paris to Dakar, though presently is now held in Saudi Arabia. Though BMW automobiles has never competed as a factory at Dakar, BMW Motorrad won the motorcycle class of the Dakar Rally six times, including its first victory in 1981 when Hubert Auriol won on the R80 G/S. Though we don’t know for sure, it’s a safe guess that these victories are quite likely the inspiration for the name of this almost buttery shade of yellow BMW used to debut the BMW M3 type E36.

    Dakar Yellow (dakargelbii; non-metallic uni; 337; BMW) is considered one of BMW Individual’s most iconic colors, and has been a popular choice through BMW Individual since that E36 era. Worth noting, there is also a color known as Dakar Yellow II, though it shares the same 337 color code with the main difference noted by enthusiasts as simply Dakar Yellow with a UNI clear coat.

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  • Color Focus: BMW Borusan Turkish Blue – P9E

    Color Focus: BMW Borusan Turkish Blue – P9E

    ORIGINATING MARQUE: BMW

    CODE: P9E

    TYPE: Non-Metallic UNI

    CONTENT ARCHIVE: Borusan Turkish Blue

    SUMMARY:
    Borusan Turkish Blue (borusantürkischblau; non-metallic uni; P9E; BMW) is an intense racing blue on the green side of the blue spectrum, established as a go-to color from its use on the BMW M4 GT4 racing cars of the Turkish racing team Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport. Launched in 2008, Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport, working with BMW Individual to develop this blue as a special color specifically for its cars. In more recent years, mounting success for the team has brought their signature color to the fore.

    In developing the blue hue, the team was seeking an eye-catching unique color to give their cars a distinctive look on track. Following their ordering a special edition roadgoing BMW M4 Coupé in the color, the team and BMW were so impressed with the result that the color was made accessible via BMW Individual to a wider range of BMW buyers.

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    Below is a gallery of several BMW cars painted in Borusan Turkish Blue.

  • BMW Individual Fire Orange – U94

    BMW Individual Fire Orange – U94

    This one is HOT! Fire Orange (U94) is famously associated with the BMW M3 GTS, a limited-edition track-focused variant of the E92 M3. It has since been available on other models through BMW Individual.

    Fire Orange is a bright and vivid orange, making it one of the more attention-grabbing colors in BMW’s palette. It typically has a high-gloss finish, which enhances its bold appearance and highlights the car’s lines and contours.

    Below is a gallery of several BMW cars painted in Fire Orange and posted to Instagram by some of our favorite accounts.

    @naranjag80  / 📸 @sta_media
    📸 @jetma.cz
    📸 @bmwofbridgeport
    📸 @motor_magnet
    📸 @dk96_cars
    📸 @baumanautofocus
    @dicklovettbmw_ / 📸 @kieranbicknell_
    📸 @romansinternational
    📸 @joeachilles
    📸 @dicklovett