Seat Reveals Paint of the Future

Seat Leon with electro reflective paint

Electro reflective paint

By Frank de Leeuw van Weenen
April 1, 2008 10:19 AM
Filed Under: European, Seat

Nissan has been leading the way forward with 'self-healing' paint and the use of 'paramagnetic' paint to change the look of a car at the touch of a button, but SEAT has today, April 1, revealed a revolutionary new electro reflective panel finish which constantly adapts to its surroundings.

The technology is based on the electrochromic (auto dimming) rear view mirrors featured in many cars nowadays. Lead engineer, Santos Inocentes, explained: “We started off just fooling around with paint, but soon discovered that electro reflectivity was the future.”

A SEAT UK spokesman said of the new development: “We’re obviously very excited by this dramatically different exterior design feature, which mixes technology and innovation to deliver undeniably surprising results. Quite what happens when an electro reflective car meets a speed camera, though, is anyone’s guess!”

Source: SEAT

Press Release (Click to expand)

SEAT TECHNOLOGY REFLECTS THE FUTURE OF MOTORING

When it comes to leading the way in the style stakes, few car makers can compete with Spanish outfit SEAT. Recent developments such as the liberal use of Candy White paint on eye-catching models like the SEAT Leon Cupra K1, along with chic additions such as black, or white, 17” alloy wheels, ensure SEAT drivers are proudly piloting some of the hottest cars around.

Now the innovative brand is going further still with the debut today, April 1, of its all-new, hi-tech ‘electro reflective’ exterior panel finish. The unique bodywork has been developed in-house by an elite team of technicians at the Spanish manufacturer’s Martorell HQ, near Barcelona.  Using complex principles similar to those through which electrochromic (auto dimming) rear view mirrors work, the experts have developed the patented electro reflective finish which constantly adapts to mimic the car’s surroundings.

The hitherto hush-hush project’s lead engineer, Santos Inocentes, explained: ‘We started off just fooling around with paint, but soon discovered that electro reflectivity was the future. The technology has been a jealously guarded secret within SEAT but, now, we feel the time is just right to reveal it to the world.’

Initially appearing on the SEAT Leon ‘mule’ pictured here, it’s possible that electro reflectivity may one day make it through to production models.

A SEAT UK spokesman said of the new development: ‘We’re obviously very excited by this dramatically different exterior design feature, which mixes technology and innovation to deliver undeniably surprising results. Quite what happens when an electro reflective car meets a speed camera, though, is anyone’s guess!’

Comments

122
April 1, 2008 11:30 AM
Thats freaking cool. Wouldn't want to drive at night where no one would see, but Police can use this technology in good effect.

joelynn
April 1, 2008 2:28 PM
what is BMW's April Fools joke, cause they're usually rather good....

alessandro
April 1, 2008 7:55 PM
I am writing on behalf of an another saint, who is not as much "innocente" as much "Sante" more over, sane too. He said that Innotcente is really a woman.

alessandro
April 1, 2008 8:04 PM
As the Saint added, that somebody is trying make competitors cars invisible.

ck314
April 1, 2008 8:38 PM
well to be a good april's joke they should have spared the "santos inocentes" name and the "apr" numberplate.. actually using holographic tech coupled with miniaturized ultrafast computers it wouldnt be so farfetched in a few years time

joelynn
April 2, 2008 2:04 AM
"Aston Martin call it the Vanquish, we call it the Vanish"

Aesthetics
April 2, 2008 9:34 PM
love it. probably the pain would last until the next 1/4

xLumino
April 3, 2008 5:35 PM
The technique might be fantastic, better stealth then the army has in a Seat Leon. Ask Spain for your next War Mr. Bush =P

The_woo_factor
April 4, 2008 4:27 PM
this technology might be more suitable for military vehicles and planes

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