Porsche may be preparing to take customization to a whole new level, thanks to a newly discovered patent for a smart exterior coating that can change the look of the car depending on how it is being driven.
The idea centers around a special material similar to electronic paper, or e-paper, which can be applied to different parts of the bodywork. Once electricity is sent through the surface, certain details can appear, disappear, or even change color.
One of the main uses Porsche highlighted in the patent is racing stripes that only appear in specific driving modes. For example, the stripes could turn green in Eco mode, red in Sport mode, or become completely hidden when not needed.
The technology could also be used across other parts of the car, including the rear diffuser, rear wing, air vents, and areas behind the rear wheels. In performance-focused modes, these elements could become more visually prominent, giving the car a more aggressive appearance.
Porsche is not only thinking about styling, however. The company also mentioned that the technology could be used to display useful information on the outside of the vehicle, such as battery charge status in electric cars or other vehicle functions.
While the idea sounds futuristic, it is not completely new. Similar technology already exists in electrochromic glass roofs used in some Volkswagen Group models, where the glass changes transparency when electricity is applied. Porsche simply wants to take the same concept and apply it to the body panels themselves.
This would fit perfectly with Porsche’s long-standing focus on personalization. The brand already offers more than 190 exterior colors through its Paint-To-Sample program, but this new system could allow the appearance of the car to evolve in real time depending on the driver’s mood or driving style.
For now, the concept remains only a patent, but it offers an interesting look at how Porsche imagines the future of automotive design.
