Trending Topcoat: Inferno Orange

In a recent press release, GM shares how their hottest orange paint color is now a shade above the rest.

There’s no doubt GM likes to stay ahead of the performance curve. When designing the Sonic, they didn’t want to leave any passing room on style curve either. Doing their homework and taking note of emerging fashion and interior design trends, Chevy methodically looked forward in order to feature a color palette for the Sonic that would remain “hot” over the years.

Based on research gleaned from the “twittersphere,” Chevrolet felt one of the colors that would best fit the Sonic’s personality for years to come— as well as keep its fire going— is Inferno Orange! The PANTONE® 17-1463 or "Tangerine Tango" was named Color of the Year for 2012.

“We had a strong feeling that Sonic’s Inferno Orange would hit the trend at the perfect time and hatchback drivers would embrace it,” says Michelle Killen, lead creative designer in the color and trim studio and exterior paint expert at General Motors Design.

“Orange, a staple of Corvettes and Camaros, is firmly ingrained in the performance vehicle market. With the Sonic’s turbo-charged engine and Corvette-inspired handling, the design team wanted to visually express its fun-to-drive personality,” Killen said.

Inferno Orange is the second highly sought-after color to the ever-so-popular black, and currently accounts for one out of every five dealer orders. Perhaps this is a reflection of the Sonic’s versatile attitude and the spirited driver who gravitates towards it. In color theory, most buyers of the color black could subconsciously like to exude the power they feel and exploit the aggressive styling of the Sonic. Whereas those who gravitate toward the orange are likely to have an enthusiastic and carefree outlook; and, as a bonus, could certainly benefit from the Sonic’s high mpg on any spontaneous journeys.

The press release didn’t allude to whether or not there was a gender bias to the orange v. black paint selection, but wherever the divide may be, thanks to Chevy, owners will certainly get to embrace the Sonic’s flexible “color-shifting” personality for years to come.

To read the press release in its entirety , visit GM.