When BMW overhauled its design team about a year ago, BMW also appointed Claudia Braun as head of the newly established color and material design department. This cross-brand division for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce aims to take customization to the next level. To this end, the company is investing 30 million euros in the construction of a new center for special and individual paintwork at the Dingolfing plant.
We’re now hearing that more personalization options are on the way. A serious BMW insider article on the Bimmer post Forums claim that two new colors are planned: Le Castellet Blue and Gray Pine. The former is reportedly intended for vehicles manufactured at the historic Munich factory, while the latter will be reserved for SUVs built in Spartanburg.
Although this is not necessarily the rule, it would make sense to introduce these colors along with new models. Since the Munich factory will only produce electric vehicles from 2027, Le Castellet Blue will likely debut on an electric vehicle. Since the color is already in an internal database, it may arrive soon. Maybe next year with the i3 sedan (“NA0”)?
BMW currently assembles the 3 Series Sedan, the 3 Series Touring, the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the i4 at the Munich plant. The next generation of the 3 Series (“G50”) is scheduled to relocate production to Dingolfing by 2026. There may not even be a station wagon this time around, although initial reports suggest a “G51.”
As for Gray Pine, the next-generation X5 (“G65”) is scheduled to launch in 2026. The luxury SUV would be a prime candidate for introducing another shade of gray. Alternatively, BMW could reserve the color for the future X7 (“G67”), which is scheduled to hit the market in 2027. According to rumors, the South Carolina plant will also produce another X6 (“G66”) from 2028. Additionally, a rugged SUV codenamed “G74” could hit the market in 2029.
According to the same insider, MINI is also preparing two fresh colors: Inspired White and Nomad Blue. It’s unclear which paint shops will be carrying out these paint jobs, although logic suggests those in Europe rather than China. For comparison, the Cooper and Aceman electric models are built exclusively in China, while the rest of the range is assembled in the UK or Germany.
The previously announced plan to build the three-door electric hatch and five-door subcompact crossover in Oxford from 2026 has been postponed indefinitely. In addition, production of the electric convertible (“J03”), which was supposedly planned in China, has reportedly been discontinued.
Source: Bimmer post
