Has anyone color-matched the headlight surrounds and intakes?

[Yellowjersey]

I'm thinking I might do this.

I searched and didn't find anything. I'm hoping someone has so I can take a look.

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[Redbaron73]

yeah its called a gen 2

 

[Murph7355]

A couple of people have done it on here... Though I think one was on a black car.

Keep searching.

 

[Darrell]

Someone posted photos of doing this either here or another forum and it does not look good in my opinion. I think it was on a white car and the contrast is lost is lost between the color of the car and black trim. The black trim on the Taycan compliments the the shape and lines of the car.

 

[Jasper4S]

I’ve seen a few threads about this. It seemed to work well on black cars, but carmine wasn’t quite my style. You could even upload a photo to ChatGPT and ask for an example.

 

[Yellowjersey]

I’ve seen a few threads about this. It seemed to work well on black cars, but carmine wasn’t quite my style. You could even upload a photo to ChatGPT and ask for an example.

Great idea:

ChatGPT went a little farther than what I had asked, as it matched the lower lip and side skirts as well.

 

[Yellowjersey]

To contrast - here is the original.

 

[Jasper4S]

It is all taste, but I prefer stock. With black accents. You?

 

[Yellowjersey]

I haven't decided yet.

 

[BjörnfromHamburg]

Your example, as Cross-Turismo with offroad-design package seems to have an additional body-kit phantasized onto it. The side skirts look brutal.

 

[Yellowjersey]

Here's what ChatGTP says about color-matching:


If you color-matched the black intakes and headlight surrounds on a 2024 Porsche Taycan, the overall look changes more than people expect—it shifts the car from technical and aggressive to clean and sculptural.


Here’s what that would actually look like in practice


What those black parts do stock

From factory, the Taycan uses black accents (especially in the front fascia and around the headlights) to:

• Emphasize the width and low stance
• Create contrast that makes the headlights look sharper and more “floating”
• Highlight the air intake shapes and cooling elements

Think of it as visual shadowing—it adds depth and makes the front end look more complex.


If you color-match them to body color
1. Smoother, more “luxury EV” look

• The front becomes one continuous surface
• Intakes visually “blend in” instead of standing out
• Headlight surrounds look less aggressive, more elegant

This is closer to a Tesla / Lucid-style smooth front, vs Porsche’s usual contrast-heavy design.


2. Less visual depth (flatter appearance)

This is the big tradeoff:

“It kind of makes the car look flat… the contrast… gives it depth.”

• Without black contrast, the front can lose some 3D definition
• The intakes don’t “pop” anymore
• The headlights don’t look as sharply outlined

3. More color-dependent outcome

This mod looks VERY different depending on paint:

• White / light colors:
  → Very clean, almost concept-car smooth
  → But can look slightly “washed out”
• Gray / silver:
  → Subtle and upscale
  → Still retains some shadow definition
• Dark colors (black, dark blue):
  → Almost no visible change
  → Might look like a base trim without contrast

4. Loses some Porsche design intent

Porsche deliberately uses black elements—even on special trims like the Porsche Taycan Black Edition—to emphasize sportiness and contrast


So removing them:

• Makes the car look less “performance-focused”
• More like a sleek luxury sedan

The quick visual summary

Black accents (stock):

• Aggressive
• High contrast
• Sporty / technical
• More depth

Color-matched:

• Clean
• Minimalist
• Luxury / futuristic
• Flatter surfaces

When it works best

Color-matching actually looks great if you’re going for:

• A fully de-chromed, monochrome build
• Satin / matte PPF finishes
• A concept-car / futuristic aesthetic

When it doesn’t

You might regret it if you like:

• Sharp, sporty Porsche styling
• Visual contrast and detail
• That “low, wide, aggressive” front-end feel

My honest take

It can look really good—but it’s a style tradeoff, not an upgrade.


If anything, a middle ground often looks best:

• Keep intakes black
• Maybe gloss-black the surrounds (instead of body color)

That keeps the depth but refines the look.

 

[Jasper4S]

You know AI can't see right? It is not a real opinion but a calculated one based on next-word prediction. You should NOT use ChatGPT for these kind of questions. There is no "honest take"

My advice: do what YOU prefer, don't base styling on my opinion or ChatGPT's one. You have to drive and love it.

 

[Shadowfax]

I feel it makes the front end more Tesla-ish. I have gen 2 but I really liked the teardrop of the 1st gen

 

[Yellowjersey]

You know AI can't see right? It is not a real opinion but a calculated one based on next-word prediction. You should NOT use ChatGPT for these kind of questions. There is no "honest take"

My advice: do what YOU prefer, don't base styling on my opinion or ChatGPT's one. You have to drive and love it.

Gee - thanks for the advice. I would have NEVER known that AI can't see...

 

[Jasper4S]

You totally missed my point. I tried to say to don't ask visual/design opinions to a bot. You'll get a calculated answer.

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