Concepts x New Balance 998 "Grand Tourer" Is Inspired by Luxury Auto Racing

Premium boutique Concepts gives us a first-hand look at its final collaboration for 2015 — a New Balance 998 titled the “Grand Tourer.” Straying away from the previous New Balance silhouettes like the 997, 575 and 574 releases that came this year, the 998 “Made in USA” model fits the bill this time around for a colorway that harks back to performance and luxury automobile endurance racing. Expect the same quality we’ve seen before with Concepts releases, once again using rich premium pig suede and perforated suede panels, along with reflective underlay detailing beneath the ‘N’ insignia for that subtle pop. Color-wise, an earthy palette of gray, off-white, sea green and bright red take inspiration from European road maps, race stickers and flags, and even car interior design. Lastly, a faux-carbon fiber rear heel support and custom tarmac-esque Concepts insole help to finish off this must-have release for 2015 into 2016.

The “Grand Tourer” will retail for $215 USD on December 26 at 10 a.m. EST & PST at its Cambridge and New York locations, as well as at its California pop-up shop located at Period Correct Atelier in Costa Mesa. The drop will also hit the Concepts online shop at 12 p.m. EST.