Earthtone paint jobs may be making a comeback!

 

BASF releases global automotive color trend report

Green, bronze, brown go beyond the silver trend; 'naturally cultivated' berry and copper tones ahead

SOUTHFIELD, MI, July 26, 2012 -- Designers from BASF Automotive Coatings have announced the results of its latest automotive color trend report. In the report, BASF color experts from North America, South America, Europe and Asia provide a forecast of the automotive colors of the future.

Results from this year's report show future colors will be "naturally cultivated" with nuanced berry and copper tones, along with natural colors such as brown, blue and green.

"Although popular staple colors such as silver, black and white make up approximately 50 to 80 percent of current production, there is a rich diversity of potential shades that is returning to the market," said Paul Czornij, Technical Manager for the BASF Color Excellence group. "The increasing inclination of society to celebrate beauty in earth tones and more traditional green and blue hues is the basis for this trend."

In recent years, the color green has not played much a role on the roads, yet in four to five years, the color is predicted to become more popular. Similarly, white, silver, and gray will gradually wane in popularity at the expense of more saturated colors like blues and browns.

"There are signs from automakers and consumers that the desire for more color on the roads is continuing. We will be tapping into further color spaces, such as bronzes and emeralds," says Mark Gutjahr, Head of Design for BASF in Europe. "The continued high value assigned to the notion of ecology may now again be signified by the color green."

New diversity
The topic of sustainability continues to be on the radar, attracting attention to not only the environment, but also the everyday world. Finding novel ways to use materials, simplify lifestyles and have a closer focus on daily experiences are the main inspirations for this trend.

"The innovation that arises from this mindset nurtures a stronger awareness for things great and small, which in turn raises social responsibility," said Czornij. "Colors are being developed that evoke this sense of purpose, stretching the aforementioned blue, green and browns into both strong and subtle tones."

Materials that can be experienced
Modern communication technologies are triggering huge changes. Setting the tone are phenomena such as the increasing "dematerialization" of technology. In the future, technology will be less tangible in a haptic sense, and instead will be increasingly more intuitive. For example, smart phones use a touch display instead of a keypad.

"We are observing new narrative and haptic qualities in many areas. Heavy substances, striking surfaces and expressive materials such as wood and stone create a stronger emotional connection to the world we live in. In the automotive world, this means that we can expect more intensive colors and bolder effects," said Corinna Sy, Designer at BASF Coatings Europe. "The new colors are expressive, but not blatant, like a good story."

With dark berries, intensive browns and coppers, along with radiant emeralds, BASF designers anticipate powerful color experiences on the roads.

Global team - China
Carmakers are working and thinking globally. For this reason, BASF's design team has a global presence, sounding out international trends without ignoring regional features or color trends. In order to acknowledge the increasing significance of the Chinese automotive industry, and specifically the local manufacturers, the designers have included special colors, such as various shades of gold, in their trend collection.

The colors developed for China demonstrate the ability of BASF's Design Team to utilize its colorant tools and paint technology to span the range of bold blues to elegant browns, golds and grays. This reflects to the local market and its evolution to more interest in colors as an expression of self. The vivid hues support these trends and are balanced with metallic effects that bring increased prominence to this growing segment.

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The Batmobile Documentary feat. Chris Nolan, Tim Burton, Christian Bale and more!

For many of us the fascination with cars began with the Batmobile. Check out the trailer for the upcoming documentary featuring all of the Batmobile models in all of their glory. Which version is your favorite?

A new documentary is setting out to discern exactly where Batman gets his wonderful toys – more specifically, the Batmobile. The film will feature interviews with notable Batman movie directors including Chris Nolan, Joel Schumacher and Tim Burton, as well as actors like Christian Bale and even Adam West. From the looks of things, the documentary delves into every aspect of the Batmobile's evolution, from the early comics to the animated series and everything in between. With plenty of in-movie footage and words from stunt drivers and creators like George Barris, this looks to be the final word on epic transportation in Gotham City.

Visitors to this year's Comic-Con were treated to a special preview of the film, though the rest of us will have to wait until the holiday season to get a hold of either the digital download or a Blu-ray copy

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6 common myths about your tires debunked!

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Tires are arguably the most important component on your vehicle. They are, however, among the least understood features. Allow me to list and pop a few common misconceptions about tires.

1. The tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) in my new car makes sure my tires are adequately inflated.  

The truth: TPMS isn't required to issue a warning until pressure is 25 percent below the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation. That's "well below the pressure required for safe driving," according to AAA and "barely adequate to carry the vehicle's maximum load," says the Rubber Manufacturers' Association. TPMS is intended as a last-minute warning before imminent tire failure, not as a monitor to make sure your tires are properly inflated.

Buy a quality tire gauge and set your tire pressure to at least the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation, which is found on the driver's door jamb. I'd rather you set your tires 3 or even 5 psi high rather than 1 low. Tire-pressure gauges can be inaccurate, and tires leak as much as 1 psi per month. Higher pressure improves hydroplaning resistance and, if you're like many folks, you may not bother to check your tires again for six months.

2. When replacing only two tires, the new ones go on the front.

The truth: Rear tires provide stability, and without stability, steering or braking on a wet or even damp surface might cause a spin. If you have new tires up front, they will easily disperse water while the half-worn rears will go surfing: The water will literally lift the worn rear tires off the road. If you're in a slight corner or on a crowned road, the car will spin out so fast you won't be able to say, "Oh, fudge!"

There is no "even if" to this one. Whether you own a front-, rear- or all-wheel-drive car, truck, or SUV, the tires with the most tread go on the rear. Don't believe it? Watch this.

3. A tire is in danger of bursting if pressure exceeds the "max press" number on the sidewall.

The truth: The "max press" number has nothing to do with a tire's burst pressure. The "max press" and "max load" numbers indicate the pressure at which the tire will carry the maximum amount of weight. A new, quality tire will not pop at an even multiple of the "max press." I'm sworn to secrecy about the exact burst pressure, but I wouldn't hesitate to double the "max press" of any new passenger-vehicle tire on a new wheel. But hitting a big pothole at super-high pressures may cause a failure.

4. The "max press" is where the tire offers its maximum cornering grip.

The truth: If you didn't read the previous point, do so now. Many law enforcement officers cling rigidly to the misconception that the "max press" is secret code for maximum at-the-limit traction. It's a coincidence that many low-bidder tires offer increased grip at 40 or more psi. But that's all it is: a coincidence. If I were going to race a stock ex-cop Ford Crown Victoria on street tires on a road-racing circuit, 45 psi front, 35 psi rear wouldn't be a bad place to start. (The tail would be, in Nascar lingo, too loose for safe street driving.)

5. Low-profile tires fitted on large-diameter wheels improve handling.

The truth: The short sidewalls of low-profile tires enhance the tires' response when the driver first turns the steering wheel. That gives the driver the (often false) feeling the tire has tons of grip. But after that initial movement, it's the tread compound—the stickiness of the rubber—that determines how well the tire grips the road. Also, the combination of a large-diameter wheel and low-profile tire is usually heavier than the original equipment. This means the suspension may not be able to keep the tire in touch with the pavement.

6. All tires with the same designation are exactly the same size.

The truth: Think all 225/35R19s (or whatever tire size) are exactly 225 millimeters wide and their sidewalls are exactly 35 percent as tall as the tire is wide? Not exactly. And unlike what's commonly believe, these designations are not about production tolerances.

All the tires of a specific part number or stock keeping unit (SKU) can be can be slightly wider or narrower than the nominal width and their profile can be slightly taller or shorter than the stated percentage. Why? A wider, taller tire puts more rubber on the ground, which is good for a performance tire. A shorter, narrower tire uses less material, thus reducing costs in a business where profit margins almost never break into double digits. So tiremakers might scrimp a bit here and there. It's a bit like how a 2 x 4 is not, in fact, 2 by 4.

 

By Mac Demere | Popular Mechanics

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Gets Royal Treatment in Europe

 

Just the Facts:

• The first production Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid in Europe was delivered to His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, as the Japanese automaker employs some royal cachet to market the car.
• The prince will use the Prius Plug-in Hybrid for "private purposes," said Toyota in a statement.
• Tiny Monaco is one of the green leaders in Europe, with 424 free charging stations.

 

MONACO — The first production Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid in Europe was delivered to His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, as the Japanese automaker employs some royal cachet to market the car.

The prince will use the Prius Plug-in Hybrid for "private purposes," said Toyota in a statement. The prince has a two-month loan on the car from Toyota, which notes that he currently has a standard Prius in his automotive stable.

Prince Albert may be Toyota's best unofficial salesman in Europe. A one-off Landaulet edition of the Lexus LS 600h hybrid took center stage at his 2011 wedding to Charlene Wittstock.

Of course, with the handover of the keys to the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Monaco also gets to strengthen its position as one of the green leaders in Europe. Even though the principality is just 48 acres with a population of 35,000, it is also home to 424 free charging stations.

The link between European royalty and cars is a strong one. Witness the media frenzy that ensued after England's Prince William and commoner Kate Middleton celebrated their nuptials last year with a joyride in an Aston Martin DB6 Volante.

Check out the world record double-loop at the 2012 X-Games in LA!