Bright and vibrant or restrained and understated? Over the decades, Porsche exterior paint colours have come from across the broad spectrum – and today, with Porsche Paint To Sample Plus, you can now opt for any that you want. But what have been the most iconic Porsche colours down the years? We find out which hues have made the greatest multi-coloured mark on the Porsche universe.
Guards RedAny car in Guards Red makes for a striking Porsche photo opBoldly standing out in the Porsche colour palette, Guards Red has stood the test of time. It first appeared on the legendary Porsche 911 (930) Turbo in 1975. It’s a shade that highlights every line of the magnificent bodywork of the 930, accentuating its head-turning silhouette. Here, more than ever, it’s a red that evokes sheer speed and powerful performance. It’s a colour that has adorned generations of Porsche sportscars ever since and continues to paint the town red to this day on the likes of the 911 GT3 and 911 Carrera. Its name boasts a touch of royalty, drawing inspiration from the colour of the uniforms worn by the soldiers who guard British kings and queens. Racing YellowWhether on the road or track, Racing Yellow provides a welcome ray of sunshineHere’s a Porsche exterior colour that’s been a mainstay for years. Up until 2012 it was called Speed Yellow before a subtle rebrand into the name we know it as today – Racing Yellow. Bright without being blindingly so, warm without being searing, it’s a hue that illuminates every Porsche model that it dresses. Racing by name, and racey by nature, the shade has a particular affinity with the very sportiest of Porsche numbers, like the track-focused 718 Cayman GT4. Whatever the weather, the sun never goes down on this shining beacon of Porsche paint power.Irish GreenLuck of the Irish Green: the one-millionth Porsche 911 was painted in this beautiful colourShades of green have had a history with Porsche as far back as 1964 – Irish Green was one of the first colours that the 911 was ever painted in. Ferry Porsche himself ensured that his own cars were painted in a select number of verdant hues – like Oakgreenmetallic, Emeraldgreenmetallic or Brewstergreen. Today his son, Wolfgang Porsche, cites Irish Green as his favourite Porsche colour, and has several cars finished in this colour that his late father so loved. In 2017, a landmark Porsche moment saw the one-millionth 911 roll off the production line more than half a century after the first one was built. Given the love for it from the Porsche family themselves, was it any wonder that lush Irish Green was its colour of choice?Miami BlueMiami Blue brings the energy of South Beach wherever it goesLife’s a beach when there’s a Miami Blue Porsche by your side. A tribute to the warm, cobalt-coloured waters that hug Florida’s coastlines, there’s nothing garish or neon to see here – only shades that conjure up dreams of sitting by the ocean. First used on the 911, it has gone on to enhance the exteriors of the Boxster, Cayman and Macan ranges. It continues to be one of the most popular and charismatic Porsche exterior colours available, even among the myriad shades of blue that Porsche offers. Whether at the height of summer or in the depths of winter, it’s a real head-turner.Lava OrangeNever dormant: Lava Orange is always primed to popBringing back retro vibes is this orange that packs real colour appeal. The flaming impact of Lava Orange is often emphasised with slick black and silver accents on the vehicles it is painted in. It’s something of a chameleon. Depending on the light and angle from which it’s viewed, it can be deep orange with hints of red at one point, at others more of a light tangerine. Porsche offered at least one shade of orange throughout the 1960s and 1970s, up until around 1978. And then, abruptly, orange disappeared from the Porsche colour chart for almost two decades. Thankfully, it made a volcanic comeback in the late 1990s in the form of Lava Orange. Used since on a wealth of Porsche 911 GT3 RS (Type 997) models, as well as the latest generation of 911 GT3 and Boxster vehicles, this is an orange that’s a welcome portion of any Porsche lover’s five-a-day. Crayon/ChalkColour outside the lines with the most versatile Crayon aroundFancy moving on from countless shades of grey? For many hearts that beat with Porsche passion, it comes down to just one simple and elegant choice. Crayon grey is far from outlandish, yet it’s certainly not one to blend into the background either. Light and sleek, it picks out every curve and line of the Porsche car that wears it. You might call it understated cool. A nod to Porsche colours of the 1950s and 1960s, like Pearl Grey and Heron Grey, Crayon is today one of the most popular choices for owners. Whether adorning 911 Turbo S, Macan or Taycan Cross Turismo, it’s all grey matter where Crayon is concernedCarrara White MetallicIt’ll be all-white on the night (and day): a Porsche Panamera E-hybrid in Carrara White MetallicClean lines deserve clean shades, and Carrara White Metallic is just the ticket. No, that’s not a typo – this is nothing to do with the 911 Carrera, named after the famous Mexican road race, the Carrera Panamericana. Instead, this colour is named after a type of white marble that originates from the Italian town of Carrara in Tuscany. From soft grey to almost blinding white, its complexity may come as a surprise when inspecting the tints from every angle. Its purity gives vehicles an instantly timeless look, which is why it remains a popular choice for new owners. This Porsche exterior colour can be spotted across the model range, whether 911, hybrid Panamera or, particularly strikingly, on the all-electric Taycan models.Carmine RedCarmine Red – a bold, but striking choiceThe second – but by no means less impactful – red on our list has a particular affinity for the GTS models in the Porsche range. Carmine Red seems to evoke the powerful intensity of those three letters. It speaks of performance and yet also the everyday usability of the GTS that awaits you in the driver’s seat. A deeper red in comparison to Guards Red, it is often paired with black trim and wheel rims to provide a slick contrast to this attention-grabbing shade. And yet, it isn’t just reserved for GTS models. It also harks back to classics like the Porsche 930 Coupe of the 1980s, continuing right up to the electric present in the form of the Taycan. Truly, a scarlet superstar. After such vivid Porsche inspiration, it’s time to configure your ultimate Porsche. Of course, the Porsche palette doesn’t stop at just these eight iconic tones. With more than 150 additional colours, Paint To Sample options from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur allow every owner’s personality to be displayed on their vehicle. And when it comes to Paint To Sample Plus, specifying a totally bespoke colour will take you to colour infinity – and beyond.
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