Porsche wants to make its cars shoutier and has reportedly found a new way to do it. According to a report by Motor1, the carmaker has filed a patent in Germany for colour changing exterior elements and disappearing racing stripes. These can indicate the drive mode the car in in or in electric vehicles, the charge status.
Porsche’s Disappearing Stripes Explained
The technology uses a thin film material (which interestingly, is referred to as ‘electronic paper’ or a ‘paramagnetic coating’ by the carmaker. It can be applied to the car’s exetrior. The film changes colour when an electric voltage is applied to it. Porsche could use this technology to make the racing stripes appear, disappear or change colour- think of them turning Red when you switch to the sportiest driving mode, or disappearing completely at the press of a button!
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Porsche’s filing also shows the material applied to areas like the rear diffuser and panels behind the rear wheels. This suggests the technology could extend beyond styling and become part of the car’s overall visual communication system.
On electric vehicles, this technology can be used to display charging status directly on the exterior. This would spare the user of having to check the dashboard or application to get charging details. The battery information would instead, be displayed ‘on the car’.
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Not A New Technology!
This technology points to a broader shift in how automakers think about vehicle design. Surfaces are no longer static. They are becoming dynamic interfaces that can communicate information in real time. This approach isn’t new. Several cars already come with electrochromic glass that changes opacity with the touch of a button.
Even colour-changing cars aren’t new. BMW had previously debuted the i Vision Dee concept with an E Ink exterior. That concept could switch between 32 different colours.
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The New Technology Raises Concerns
Applying a paramagnetic coating to your sports car sure sounds fancy. But, there are clear hurdles that could limit the real-world viability of this technology. First, it will add cost and manufacturing complexity. Most Porsche buyers wouldn’t mind the former. Durability is another major concern. Modern car finishes are designed to withstand years of exposure to heat, rain, debris, and chemicals. It remains unclear whether such a film could be ceramic-coated or protected in the same way as traditional paint. Repairability is also a question.
It’s important to note that a patent filing does not guarantee immediate production intent. Porsche, like many automakers, regularly files patents to secure intellectual property, particularly for innovative technologies. Many of them don’t reach production. Time remains before we know what becomes of this one.
