Eerie, unusual, unprecedented — Fade to (the blackest) black…..
What is the blackest black in the world? You are about to find out! With BMW’s Vantablack X6 concept, the blackest black is presented in a bold design that serves to hide the vehicle’s curves and edges and give a two-dimensional look. Spectacular, unusual and just plain cool, a “super black” exterior is presented in a special coating that actually absorbs light — 99.96 percent to be exact — and turns it to heat. This is as opposed to reflecting light like most normal automotive finishes. Although it will not see production any time soon, this may be the black of the future, one that is easy to maintain and always looks good!
It is solely for the X6, in its third generation, that this finish appears. It is truly a real-life special effect, a hue that seems born of a black hole!
The effect of the paint is considered unusual in that it completely erases any three-dimensionality from the Sport Activity Vehicle’s design. It actually gives a completely “flat” look, but it is spectacular nonetheless. In Vantablack, the X6’s curvaceous side surfacing, aggressively duck-tailed rear tailgate and rippled hood all completely disappear under a sea of black. This design was intentional and serves to make more dramatic the vehicle’s laser headlamps, LED taillamp and light-up kidney grilles. Thanks to this design, those items almost appear as if they are floating or suspended in space. They are mesmerizing at first glance!
Its origins are as unique as its appearance. Vantablack was originally designed as a coating for space-borne components and has been used to block out light from the sun so that deep space camera lenses can get a better glimpse at faraway stars and galaxies. Its benefits include the fact that it can completely conceal imperfections, and, because of its light-absorbing properties, the coating does a superb job of obscuring a vehicle’s various body lines and exterior details. In a sense, it functions like a camouflage swirl wrap and gives off an effect that is striking, yet brooding.
Without any distraction from light and reflections, this coating strays from fundamental aspects of automotive design. Uniquely, it is made of carbon nanotubes that serve to create one of the darkest substances on earth. These nanotubes are about 5,000 times thinner than a human hair, meaning that about 1 billion of these tiny nanotubes fit into one square centimeter.
This special coating is transfixing to look at and would — without a doubt — make the X6 stand out in a field of SV competitors. In fact, BMW states that the X6 is the first and only vehicle in the world to feature the Vantablack paint. Just one look at it in the dark, and one can see quickly just what makes it so special.
“The coating and its high-level technology couples perfectly with the unique design of the X6, resulting in a concept that is not only impressive, but unprecedented.”
In comparison to the X5, the all new generation BMW X6 is sportier, more interesting and has a stronger look on the road. With the Vantablack, it becomes downright amazing. The X6, with its falling roofline, is not much different weight-wise than the X5.
But is it the color for you? That is the question. It is not for everyone, that is for sure, and is unrealistic for every day driving, at least for the near future. With design lines that actually disappear, and tail lamps that are more horizontal with an interesting LED signature, the X6 stands out among its predecessors. The exterior is almost like a fabric surface, which is interesting in itself!
Interesting, elegant and black as night, the X6 with Vantablack may just be the look of the future. Ask yourself if it is in YOUR future today. Eerie, unusual and unprecedented. See what the blackest black is all about!
