Timeless shades, dual tones and bold hues

The world of car design is constantly evolving, but nowhere is change more vibrant than on the colour palette. In 2025, buyers are spoiled for choice as brands introduce a spectrum of finishes and tones meant to both reflect individuality and set trends on city streets. From luxurious mattes to dazzling dual tones and head-turning special editions, there’s a colour for every type of driver, and personal style has never been more exciting to express. Matte finishes, once reserved for concept cars and high-end exotics, are now accessible to a wide range of buyers and models. These non-reflective surfaces lend an air of understated sophistication and a sculptural quality to car bodies. Experts suggest that matt options are especially popular among younger consumers who want their vehicles to stand out without being flashy. Innovations in clear coat technology have made these finishes more durable, easier to maintain, and well suited for Indian climatic conditions. Matte finishes are favored by those who appreciate subtlety and sophistication, offering an elegant, understated look. Glossy finishes remain the go-to choice for those who love a deep, mirror-like shine and classic appeal. Gloss finish gives your vehicle a luxurious appeal, and across showrooms, buyers continue to be captivated by high-gloss reds, blues, and silvers. In 2025, brands are experimenting with multiple layers and effect pigments, resulting in depth that looks as stunning under streetlights as in daylight. Increasingly, carmakers are offering dual-tone options, reflecting a shift toward customization and modularity in car design. This approach, combining a classic base like white or grey with a bold roof or accent, lets owners create a tailored look without sacrificing elegance. “Dual-tone schemes allow brands to cater to multiple buyer segments while reinforcing their luxury identity,” says Pratik Malkan, Chairman, Lusso Designs India Pvt Ltd. Whether it’s a metallic roof or a playful stripe, these combinations are especially common in compact SUVs and hatchbacks aimed at urban trendsetters. In 2025, automotive brands are pushing the envelope by experimenting with multi-layer paint technologies that create stunning visual depth and dynamic colour shifts. Effect pigments, the tiny flakes that catch and reflect light, add richness and movement to paint surfaces. Luxury manufacturers have taken this further by adding gold dust or real metallic flakes into the paint, lending a subtle sparkle and exclusivity. These layered finishes don’t just look impressive, they make colours pop under different lighting conditions, dazzling in sun and streetlights alike, creating a truly elevated visual experience. If exclusivity is the name of the game, special edition colours are leading the way. Inspired by global trends in fashion and art, luxury brands are crafting limited-edition hues. Think burnt copper, pearl whites, or even colour-shifting finishes. These not only elevate a car’s aura but often tell a story, such as marking an anniversary or a collaboration with another designer. Technologies such as multi-layer effect pigments, crystal flakes, and liquid metal paints are making these editions a true feast for the eyes. While the classics never really go out of style, shades like electric blue and deep forest green are having a moment. These colours combine a sense of adventure with refinement and are being offered in a range of both matt and gloss finishes. With rising demand among buyers seeking something unique yet sophisticated, auto brands are keen to keep these shades in their line-ups. Raj Deb, a car enthusiast personal business owner, explains that it is important for a buyer to be comfortable with the car’s look and feel. He says, “A car’s visual impression is more than just a first look. Choosing a colour and design you truly connect with makes the ownership experience much more personal.” In the 2002 film Die Another Day, Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond drove an Aston Martin equipped with adaptive camouflage, rendering the car virtually invisible. This iconic ‘transparent’ car could blend seamlessly into its surroundings, changing colour to whatever was behind it. While purely fictional, this gadget captured imaginations and remains a fun pop culture reference. May be someday there will be a possibility of a car with camouflaging colours. A British car company’s Miami Pink concept EV, unveiled in December 2024, became an instant topic of discussion, not only among automobile enthusiasts but also people with a keen interest in fashion, design and aesthetics. With butterfly doors, a minimalist interior, and the eye-catching “Satin Rhodon Rose” finish inspired by Miami Art Deco, the car made headlines for blending bold style with sustainable tech. Though only a concept, it went viral and sparked debate, signaling the brand’s vision for a new electric era and attracting a style-driven crowd. Black has long held a reputation as the pinnacle of car coolness. In recent years, brands have doubled down on this aura, introducing black in new avatars: obsidian, sapphire black, bluish-black, and even matte black for a rich effect. According to sales data, black now accounts for just over 20% of new car sales in India, up from 14.8% in 2021. Pratik Malkan points out that technological advancements, such as infrared-reflective paints, have made it possible to enjoy black’s timeless look without the old worries of heat buildup or difficulty in maintenance. Black’s appeal spans generations, offering the perfect base for both understated elegance and rockstar flair.