What is it with automakers and the ‘Platinum’ designation for (supposedly) special editions and higher-end trims?

The other day, Porsche rolled out a new pair of special Cayenne SUVs named ‘Platinum Edition’, but it’s not the first time the Germans used the precious metal for naming purposes, nor are they the only automaker to do so, as we found out after surfing our site and the web.

Turns out that, for some reason, ‘Platinum’ is an extremely popular designation in the automotive industry and elsewhere. Carscoops’ commentator Craig counted the Chrysler 300C ‘Platinum Edition’, Ford F-150/F-250 ‘Platinum Edition’ and 2012 Chevrolet Malibu LT ‘Platinum Edition’, but the list is much, much longer than we would had ever anticipated and we doubt that we actually covered everything.

It sounds like ‘Platinum’ is the new LX of the auto industry – we’re talking everything from cheap city cars of the Toyota Aygo sort to posh luxury models from the likes of Rolls Royce, and from concept models to – wait for it – backhoe loaders, no kidding!

Take a look at how many models we discovered below, and tell us which ones we missed in the comments below.

Platinum Cars



ABFLUG Mercedes-Benz SL R320 Platinum
BMW 850Ci Platinum Edition
BMW 520i Platinum Edition
Bentley Widebody GT Premier4509 Platinum Edition (2010)
Bentley Flying Spur Platinum Edition
Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Platinum Edition (2009)
Cadillac Escalade Platinum Edition (2016)
Cadillac XTS Platinum Edition (2013MY)
Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept (2010)
Cadillac XT5 Platinum Edition (2017MY)
Cadillac CT6 Platinum (2016)
Chevrolet Malibu LT ‘Platinum Edition’
Chrysler 300C ‘Platinum Edition’
Chrysler Town & Country Platinum Edition
Dodge Durango Anodized Platinum (2016)
Ford F-150 ‘Platinum Edition’
Ford F-Series Super Duty ‘Platinum Edition’ (2012)
Ford Explorer Platinum Edition (2016MY)
Jaguar XJ75 Platinum Design Concept (2010)
Jeep Grand Cherokee Platinum Edition
Lancia Ypsilon Platinum (2011)
Lancia Ypsilon Platinum (2016MY)
Nissan Armada Platinum Edition (2010MY)
Nissan X-Trail Platinum Edition (2011)
Nissan Maxima Platinum Edition (2016MY)
Nissan Quest Platinum Edition (2014)
Nissan Pathfinder Platinum (2015MY)
Nissan Murano Platinum (2016MY)
Nissan Titan XD Platinum Reserve (2016MY)
Mansory S-Class Coupe Platinum Edition (2016)
Porsche Cayenne Platinum Edition (2014MY)
Porsche Cayenne Platinum Editions (2016MY)
Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition (2012)
Kia Picanto Platinum Edition (2013)
Kia Venga Platinum Edition (2013)
Kia Cee’d Hatch Platinum Edition (2013)
Kia Cee’d Sport Wagon Platinum Edition (2013)
Rolls Royce Ghost Platinum Edition (2014)
Suzuki Kizashi Platinum Edition SEMA Car (2009)
Toyota Aygo Platinum Edition (2007)
Toyota 86 GRMN SPORTS FR Concept PLATINUM’.
Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum (2017MY)
JCB Platinum Edition 3CX backhoe loader (oh yes…)
Volvo XC90 Platinum (2013MY)
Volvo V60 Wagon Platinum (2014)
Volvo S60 Platinum (2015MY)

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