Nissan Took More Than Two Years to Create a New Paint Color.

      Nissan

      Have you ever wondered what factors influence the selection of colors for a new car? Given recent developments, it may surprise you to find that Nissan still allocates resources to create new paint finishes. Even looking ahead to 2025, vehicles still need to attract attention. If a car lacks appeal, it must stand out as the best, the most affordable, or offer some unique feature that draws people in, like the Tesla Cybertruck.

      If you want to highlight your vehicle's appearance, what better way to do that than with a striking color—especially considering how uncommon vibrant hues are today? Over 80% of cars sold globally leave factories in colors that could easily be replicated in grayscale. So, when Nissan made color designer Yasuhito Oba available to discuss the creation of Aurora Blue Metallic for the 2025 Murano, we eagerly took the opportunity.

      We began with the obvious question: Why blue?

      “Aurora Blue Metallic not only embodies 'coolness' but also projects a high-tech and modern vibe,” Oba stated. “It’s certainly not just another grayscale SUV.”

      Oba’s team worked intentionally to ensure that Aurora Blue Metallic appears different in direct sunlight compared to dusk.

      “When we create a new color, we consider what helps a vehicle stand out and how it resonates with the driver,” he explained. “The first-generation Murano debuted in 2003 with an eye-catching, vibrant Sunlit Copper paint. For the 2025 model, we aimed for something equally bold but with a modern twist.”

      Despite Nissan's current financial challenges, developing a new color requires significant time and resources—over two years in the case of Aurora Blue Metallic. Given the Murano’s mainstream market position, Nissan cannot excessively invest in features that won’t drive sales, but a distinctive finish can greatly enhance a car's perception, beyond just the showroom.

      If you recall when the first-generation Murano launched, that Sunlit Copper color made a significant impact.

      “Color isn't solely about aesthetics; it significantly influences how a vehicle feels to its driver,” he noted. “We apply the same careful consideration to paint as we do to design and technology. Aurora Blue Metallic was designed to give the Murano a more premium and unique presence on the road. Every vehicle, regardless of its price, deserves a color palette that mirrors its character and what drivers desire.”

      However, Oba mentioned that developing Aurora Blue came with its own set of challenges.

      “Nissan has a variety of blues in its lineup, but none quite like this. The greatest hurdle was producing the desired outcome within a relatively short timeframe,” he shared. “Creating a brand new color from scratch involved many months of refining the formula, with numerous small adjustments made repeatedly to achieve perfection. The end result is something truly unique, not only for Nissan but for the entire industry.”

      While it may be optimistic to think that Nissan could return to profitability with the introduction of blue, the company's exterior styling has transformed from a weakness to a significant strength following a major overhaul of its lineup. Even the Rogue is joining in on the excitement, as Nissan combines these aesthetic advancements with meaningful updates under the hood.

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