Paint code M3C · 0L · 80F · Solid
Porsche Carmine Red
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Carmine Red is a solid Porsche exterior color, paint codes M3C, 0L and 80F. Porsche has offered it on the 911, 718 Boxster & Cayman, Cayenne, Macan, Panamera and Taycan from 2012 to today. To confirm a specific car left the factory in Carmine Red, check the paint code on its build sheet.
Carmine Red at a glance
| Paint code(s) | M3C, 0L, 80F |
|---|---|
| Finish | Solid — Deep non-metallic red offered as a 'special colour' (extra cost) on most lines. |
| Color family | Red Porsche Colors |
| Model lines | 911, 718 Boxster & Cayman, Cayenne, Macan, Panamera and Taycan |
| Also written | Karminrot, Karmin Red |
Porsche Carmine Red years and models
| Model | Model years | Availability | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panamera | 2012– | Special (extra-cost) color | [3] |
| Cayenne | 2013– | Special (extra-cost) color | [3] |
| Boxster / Cayman (981, 718) | 2014– | Special (extra-cost) color | [3][7] |
| Macan | 2017– | Special (extra-cost) color | [3][5] |
| 911 (991) | 2018–2019 | Special (extra-cost) color | [3][7] |
| 911 (992) | 2020– | Special (extra-cost) color | [2][1] |
| Taycan | 2020– | Special (extra-cost) color | [6] |
US model years where the source gives them. A trailing dash means still offered in the latest source.
Carmine Red paint codes
- Paint code M3C— 2010s–current code[3][1]
- 0L— short code[3][1]
- 80F— late-1980s 'Carmine Red' listing (L80F); possibly a different formula[4]
The code is printed on the car's option sticker and on a VIN build sheet. Porsche has reused some names with new codes as paint formulas changed, so the code is the reliable identifier.
About Carmine Red
- The first customer to collect a Taycan from the Zuffenhausen factory took delivery of a Taycan 4S in Carmine Red. [6]
- The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix winner's car was a Carmine Red 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet in 2017 and a Carmine Red 718 Boxster GTS in 2018. [7]
- On the 992 Carrera T, Carmine Red is listed among the special colours, separate from the solid standard palette that includes Guards Red. [2]
How common is Carmine Red?
| Model | Listings in Carmine Red | Share of new listings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Macan | 179 of 5,149 | 3.5% |
| 2026 Cayenne Coupe | 54 of 2,015 | 2.7% |
| 2026 911 | 16 of 588 | 2.7% |
| 2026 Cayenne | 60 of 2,845 | 2.1% |
| 2026 Taycan | 13 of 841 | 1.5% |
| 2026 Panamera | 10 of 735 | 1.4% |
Counts of live US new-car listings by dealer-listed exterior color, aggregated from licensed vehicle-data providers. Dealers sometimes list generic names, so true shares can be higher.
Is that car really Carmine Red?
The build sheet shows the factory exterior color and installed options recorded for a specific VIN, plus original MSRP when the build data includes it. Free availability check first; $9.99 only if detailed build data exists — no subscription.
Colors similar to Carmine Red
Frequently asked questions
What is the paint code for Porsche Carmine Red?
Carmine Red has carried Porsche paint codes M3C (2010s–current code); 0L (short code); 80F (late-1980s 'Carmine Red' listing (L80F); possibly a different formula). Porsche reuses names across eras with different codes, so match the code on the car's option sticker or build sheet rather than the name alone.
Which Porsche models and years came in Carmine Red?
Our sources list Carmine Red on the Panamera (2012–, special (extra-cost) color), Cayenne (2013–, special (extra-cost) color), Boxster / Cayman (981, 718) (2014–, special (extra-cost) color), Macan (2017–, special (extra-cost) color), 911 (991) (2018–2019, special (extra-cost) color) and 911 (992) (2020–, special (extra-cost) color), among others. If you see it on a model or year not listed, it may be a Paint to Sample order or a respray — the build sheet for the VIN shows which.
Is Carmine Red a Paint to Sample color?
Our sources list Carmine Red as a special (extra-cost) color rather than Paint to Sample. Porsche's Paint to Sample program can still apply many past colors to new cars, so a recent car in Carmine Red may be a PTS order.
Carmine Red vs Guards Red: what's the difference?
Carmine Red is the darker, cooler red with a hint of blue, while Guards Red is a brighter, warmer red. Both are solid (non-metallic) finishes. Guards Red is a no-cost standard colour on the 911 and 718, and Carmine Red is usually an extra-cost special colour.
How common is Carmine Red?
In US new-car inventory on October 22, 2026, 179 of 5,149 new 2026 Porsche Macan listings (3.5%) were listed in Carmine Red; it also appeared on Cayenne Coupe (2.7%), 911 (2.7%) and Cayenne (2.1%). Shares come from dealer-listed color names, which are not always exact.
How can I tell if a Porsche is factory Carmine Red?
Read the paint code on the option sticker (in the maintenance booklet and, on most models, in the front luggage compartment) or on a build sheet for the VIN, and compare it with M3C, 0L and 80F. A matching color name alone does not rule out a respray or wrap.
Sources
- 2022 Porsche 911 paint codes — AutomotiveTouchup (secondary)
- World premiere of the new 911 Carrera T (992) — Porsche Newsroom
- Carmine Red (M3C/0L) paint code and years — PaintScratch (secondary)
- Carmine Red (L80F) paint code and years — PaintScratch (secondary)
- Rhoda Bueno and Miguel Andrada's Porsches — Porsche Newsroom
- First Taycan factory delivery in Zuffenhausen — Porsche Newsroom
- Porsche Tennis Grand Prix winners' cars — Porsche Newsroom
More Porsche color research
- All Porsche colors
- Red Porsche Colors
- Porsche paint codes
- Porsche Paint to Sample explained
- Porsche tools & data hub
Independent reference; not affiliated with Porsche AG.