Stuttgart: Porsche may be on the brink of doing away with the age-old tradition of choosing a fixed paint colour for a car, according to a newly published patent that envisions colour-shifting bodywork capable of adapting its visible hue using cameras and electrically controlled pigments.
The patent, filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and published late last year, outlines a system in which an actively controllable, optically changeable coating could alter a vehicle’s exterior colour on the fly. The concept uses layered pigments that respond to electrical stimulation — potentially allowing the bodywork to mirror colours from the environment or even the driver’s clothing.
In essence, the technology could turn a car’s surface into a dynamic canvas, with the ability to cycle through a broad spectrum of shades without the need for traditional paint jobs or wraps. The illustrations in the patent filings suggest at least portions of a Porsche model — possibly a future 911 variant — covered with this adaptive coating.
Porsche’s current customisation offerings, such as the “Paint to Sample” programme with more than 220 pre-approved hues and the Paint to Sample Plus bespoke option for ultra-personal colours, already set a high bar for bespoke finishes. But the new approach would take personalisation a step further by eliminating the need to ever pick a single, static shade.
While patents often represent experimental ideas rather than imminent products, the concept aligns with broader trends where automakers explore smart surfaces and digital materialisation to elevate user experience. BMW, for example, is developing its own colour-changing exterior tech based on E Ink for future models.
Challenges remain before such technology could appear on showroom floors — including durability in different weather conditions, repairability, and real-world performance — but if realised, it could transform how buyers personalise vehicles and diminish the relevance of traditional paint options.