A more sophisticated metal flake pigment causes a diamond's sparkle.
Cadillac will offer a Black Diamond Edition of the performance CTS-V with what’s called tri-coat paint, dubbed Black Diamond. This marketing name for once actually describes the color.
Available on the CTS-V Sedan, Coupe and Wagon models, this will be the first use by an automaker of something called a “SpectraFlair” pigment in North America, after it showed in 2002 at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer’s Association show in Las Vegas. (Old naming habits die hard.)
Instead of containing bits of metal – hence the name metal flake that goes back to at least fifties era custom-car builders – the pigment in Black Diamond uses aluminum flakes in a glass-like material called magnesium fluoride. The result is a paint that has a diamond-like sparkle as light hits the surface from different angles.
“The base color may be a simple black, but the details and richness of the material set it apart” said Michelle Killen, Cadillac exterior paint designer.
CTS-V Black Diamond comes with a suggested retail price, including destination charges, of $69,190 for the manual transmission or $70,490 for the automatic, a $4,850 premium over the CTS-V base price. The CTS-V Black Diamond will be available at U.S. dealerships in March.
Volume is not production constrained, but a Cadillac spokesperson said relatively low sales are anticipated. In 2012 Cadillac will no longer have an exclusive on the paint, but it’s unknown if other makers will pick it up. And “SpectraFlair” is already in use by one automaker in Asia.
In addition to the paint, CTS-V Black Diamond comes standard with:
- Satin Graphite 19-inch wheels with yellow Brembo brake calipers. These six-piston front, four-piston rear brake calipers provide short stopping distances.
- Recaro seats that have 14 adjustable elements, French-stitched leather and microfiber suede inserts in the center sections of the cushions and seatbacks.
- Midnight Sapele wood trim known for its durability and distinctive grain. (Not a marketing name. Sapele is actually a rare African tree.)
The CTS-V Sedan, Coupe and Wagon all have a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine with 556-horspower, and Magnetic Ride Control suspension that reads and reacts to the road 1,000 times a second
JDSU is an optical technology firm in Milipitas, Calif., which specializes in pigments for a many markets. Its pigments are and have been used in some DuPont paints supplied to Cadillac.
Try calling the nearest Cadillac dealer parts department.
I would like to get the color code for the black diamond edition if possible would like to paint my Cadillac sedan Deville that incredible color.