Who called the fashion police? Golden SUV deemed 'too dazzling'

By dpa | 15 October 2019


DUSSELDORF: The driver of a shiny gold-coloured SUV in Germany had his vehicle confiscated at the weekend after police deemed the car was just "too dazzling."

Police said on Monday the gold foil exterior could have posed a danger by blinding others in traffic. The 30-year-old driver had to slum it on foot after his pimped-out BMW X5 was taken off the road in the western city of Dusseldorf during a police check on Sunday.

The ever-more popular foil wrapping technique, which is generally cheaper, faster and more versatile than a spray-paint job, has seen an uptick in head-turning colours, but this one appeared to be all too garish for police.

An expert is now clarifying whether golden foil on cars does indeed have a "dazzling effect" that would endanger road traffic, the police spokesman said, adding that they also found the car's exhaust and rear lights had also been modded.

The wrap method allows almost any colour or design to be applied to your vehicle, simply by having it printed onto vinyl or wrapping film and then affixed to the contours of the car.

It also takes much less time to have your car wrapped than to have it professionally repainted. The wrap keeps the original paint intact so you can even change your mind once you get tired of the look.

Wrapped cars tend to be head-turners, even if the glances are not always admiring, as in this case.