Wanderlust

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  • Tailored Driver Now on YouTube

    Tailored Driver Now on YouTube

    As TailoredDriver.com ramps up its online presence, we’re adding new features and content to further cover the segment of our specialized automotive specification focus. Please give it a follow if you are on YouTube. You can find it HERE.

    To begin with, we’ve begun adding factory released videos of special edition models, informational videos about factory tailoring departments and B-roll footage of others where the color is known. We’re doing the latter, even when not a special edition or a one-off as we believe that better informs our readers of what specific colors look like in motion and at various angles in assorted lighting conditions. We’ll begin adding those to relevant posts on the blog.

    In the future we’ll be adding more original content, including podcast, car features, videos from events and other activities where tailored cars are involved.

    Again, please subscribe and like our content as you see it. This will help us more rapidly raise our focus on this special segment of the auto industry. You can find it HERE.

  • New Audi exclusive Configuration Tool Goes Live on Audi.de

    New Audi exclusive Configuration Tool Goes Live on Audi.de

    Many of the manufacturers operating factory tailor programs stepping up their game online has been a boon for those who watch the space. One point of improvement are configuration tools, where Audi has just taken live a new Audi exclusive specific site with expanded capability configurator.

    That site can be found HERE.

    While this new tool doesn’t include all colors, specifications or models, it is a step in an improved direction. Audi’s previous exclusive configurator offered just one or two models mainly with paint and interior color options. Here’ they’ve added a few more models – RS Q8, RS e-tron GT performance, SQ8 Sportback, RS 7 Sportback, SQ6 e-tron (minus paint options) and RS 3 Sportback. They’ve also allowed you to dig into leather segmentation and stitch colors.

    Also on the site are callout sections, focusing on paint colors, interiors, floor mat specifications, and even a bit about the brand’s Audi exclusive studio in Neckarsulm. We’re going to go ahead and embed them here for posterity as these sorts of things disappear from brand sites when specifications change.

    No doubt you can find a way to burn up time perfecting your own specifications. We definitely enjoyed spending a bit more time on the tool, though to be honest we wish they’d implement it into the main configurator.

    Why? Well, here you can’t even change the exterior color of the SQ6 e-tron at all, and being able to change more mundane details like wheels or body style (say RS 6 Avant versus RS 7) still helps you build a car closer to that of your dream. For us, that’s the end goal. When the average customer can readily enter an expanded in-house tailor tool and pick from colors or even upload their own, that’s when we’ll be satisfied with online configuration tools. No one has achieved that yet, so until they do we’ll keep playing with sites like this and passing the time with the options we have at hand.

    In case you missed that link above, the new Audi exclusive German market micro site with configuration tool can be found HERE.

  • Color Check: M3 CS in BMW Individual Signal Green Solid

    Color Check: M3 CS in BMW Individual Signal Green Solid

    Signal Green is a common name thrown out over the years. While perhaps not as ubiquitously used as say a British Racing Green, we’re guessing that Signal Green (signalgrün; non-metallic uni; P56; BMW) isn’t always the same Signal Green. Granted, Signal is usually a primary green, but whether it’s formulated the same remains to be seen. In this case, we’re talking about BMW Individual’s take on Signal Green solid.

    BMW M posted photos of this M3 CS on their social media channels earlier today. Not much is known about further spec on the car due to the nature of a short social media post. Nevertheless, the photos are a solid (ahem) indication of what a BMW Individual client will get should they specify “Signal Green” from the house of M.

  • Market Find: Paint to Sample Grigio Telesto Porsche 911 GT3 Touring

    Market Find: Paint to Sample Grigio Telesto Porsche 911 GT3 Touring

    Foresight is a gift relegated to the precocious few, but the original Tailor of this Paint to Sample Grigio Telesto 911 GT3 Touring (VIN: WP0AC2A92KS149134) certainly had it in spades. You see, Porsche’s 991-generation GT3 Touring (and the 991R that preceded it) were always going to be future classics, and ticking the Paint to Sample box proved a way to maximize that ‘investment’ and its return. But choosing a Lamborghini color, especially one that created a high that’s still being chased by OEMs across the board to this day was an incredibly prudent choice.

    Found at the Tailored Driver powerhouse Merit Partners, located outside of Atlanta, Georgia, we’re struck by just how timeless this build is. We’ll concede that Grigio Telesto is a more recent hit having been introduced on the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, but non-metallic slate grey has repeatedly proven itself to be a timeless classic. The interior is much the same story, with silver stitching, seat belts and hounds tooth inserts found in Porsche’s full bucket seats.

    So if you’ve got $325,794 burning a hole in your pocket and some Delta miles that are otherwise unaccounted for, we think you should take the flight to Atlanta and give this Tailored Driver a loving home. Because much like the dive watch or a pair of Converse All-Stars, it’ll never go out of style.

    See additional details about this Tailored Driver, here.

  • Market Find: Audi exclusive Riviera Blue S3

    Market Find: Audi exclusive Riviera Blue S3

    When the S3 finally made its way stateside in 2015, it served as a shot of adrenaline to many in the brand’s enthusiast scene. The S3 shared its size and underpinnings with the contemporary Golf R, making it the perfect alternative for those looking to get into something a bit more premium without being too large. It also didn’t hurt that the demographic for this car was eager to make a statement, making the S3 (and RS 3) a perfect candidate for Audi’s exclusive program.

    The Audi exclusive Riviera Blue S3 seen here (VIN: WAUB1GFF0J1078846) is one such example, and what a statement it makes. This particular one also features an aftermarket exhaust, intake, and from what we could find by using Google to search the VIN, an APR software tune. In total, this S3 is a potent package, making it compelling to say the least.

    Those who agree can find this Tailored Driver currently on offer at Haus of Imports in Lemont, Illinois for an asking price of $27,500. Find more information about this Audi exclusive Riviera Blue S3, here.

  • Color Check: Bentley Continental GTC Speed First Edition in Bronze

    Color Check: Bentley Continental GTC Speed First Edition in Bronze

    As part of the Global Media Drive for the new Continental GT Speed in Andermatt Switzerland, Bentley has released photos of each car on location for the drive. This includes full build specifications. Over the last few days we’ve been color checking all of them, and our final specification is this tasteful brown droptop.

    Technically, the Mulliner hue is known simply as Bronze. Whether bronze (little B) or brown we really don’t care. It’s attractive, and that is especially so when paired with granite painted exterior brightware and machined 22-inch ten swept spoke wheels.

    The specification gets even better on the inside where the monotone cabin is Cumbrian Green leather with Camel accents, dark tint Engine Turned Aluminum fascias and contrast stitching throughout.

    Worth noting, the car also has several options that we’ll list here along with U.S. pricing. These include First Edition Specification ($41,190), Carbon Ceramic Brakes with Painted Calipers ($18,820), Extended Range Solid and Metallic Paint ($8,655), 22-inch Ten Swept Spoke Wheels ($4,000) and Contrast Stitching ($3,930).

    First Edition Specification includes Touring Specification, Front Seat Comfort Specification, Front Wellness Seating including postural and lumbar adjustment, Naim Audio, Bentley Rotating Display, Technical Veneer Choice or Single Finish Veneer, Animated LED Welcome Lamps by Mulliner, Mood Lighting Specification, Deep Pile Overmats front and rear, First Edition Exterior Badge, First Edition Treadplates, First Edition Embroidery to Seats, Garage Door Opener and Valet Key. 

    Front Seat Comfort Specification (included in First Edition Specification) includes Adjustable Seat Bolsters, Adjustable Seat Cushion Length, Power Adjustable Headrest, Ventilation and Massage, Heated Front Armrest and Hide Trimmed Seat Belt Buckles.

    Touring Specification (included in First Edition Specification) includes Lane Guidance, Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control, Night Vision and Head-up Display.

  • Color Check: Audi exclusive Berry Pearl at Audi Forum Neckarsulm

    Color Check: Audi exclusive Berry Pearl at Audi Forum Neckarsulm

    For fans of tailored cars, a visit to the Audi Forum Neckarsulm is well worth making your way to Audi’s Heilbronn headquarters. It’s on the second floor of that customer delivery center that Audi exclusive maintains its own showroom where cars built to show off the four rings’ in-house tailoring capabilities are displayed. One of those cars during our visit in October of 2022 was this RS 4 Avant (vin: WUAZZZF44NA901565) in Berry Pearl (beerepearleffekt; pearl effect UNI; Z4W; Audi exclusive).

    The RS 4 Avant isn’t available in all markets. So, for our mainly North American audience, this car would be forbidden fruit even in its most common form. For us though, the truly noteworthy element of this car is the paint color. Berry Pearl is a striking dark pink bordering on purple. Consider it Audi’s Rubystar, though its pearlescent base gives it much more depth than that 90s era pink from the Porsche Cup of that 964 era.

    We typically photograph spec sheets for cars such as this, so we’ve included that also (in German of course) in our photo gallery of the car below.

  • Color Chart: 1969 Jaguar Standard Colors and Trim

    Color Chart: 1969 Jaguar Standard Colors and Trim

    Continuing in our series of cataloguing factory colors is this vintage Jaguar Color Guide dated April 1969. While these would have been standard colors, it’s fascinating to look back on both what was offered and perhaps have vintage colors such as these resurrected for modern specifications.

    The book reads:

    “The color finishes illustrated and combinations described are those which will be available from April 1969. Jaguar Cars Limited reserve the right to alter or withdraw any color finish without notice. The patters are intended to serve primarily as a guide and whilst they approximate closely to the actual colors used, they should not be utilized for the purpose of paint matching or for any other purpose where complete accuracy is essential.“

    Paint colors Include: Cream, Warwick Grey, Ascot Fawn (maybe the most Jaguar color name ever), Willow Green, Dark Blue, Black, Sable, Light Blue, Regency Red, British Racing Green, Pale Primrose and Signal Red.

  • Market Find: Audi exclusive Northern Lights Blue Metallic S6

    Market Find: Audi exclusive Northern Lights Blue Metallic S6

    Here we go again with the broken record- Car dealerships can be absolutely awful at marketing their cars. It’s in part why we started Tailored Driver, hoping to shed light on vehicles that are uniquely built with secret menu paint colors, interior finishes and other custom touches when the dealers themselves are frankly unable to. This Tailored Driver is one such vehicle, which features Audi exclusive touches both inside and out.

    Found at Audi Norwell in Massachusetts, this relatively tame looking S6 (VIN: WAUHFBFC9JN084206) is much more special than you’d expect. Finished in Audi exclusive Northern Lights Blue Metallic (Z7R) and featuring Audi exclusive Night Blue deviated stitching, not to mention the extended leather covering the center console, knee panels and seat bases, we’d guess at time of ordering upwards of ~$15k in Audi exclusive touches were applied. If that’s the case, the dealer simply calling this car “grey” is at best an oversight, and at worst pure laziness.

    Priced at $43,900, we think this is all the money for any S6 of this generation, especially one with a knock on the CarFax, and lacking the ultra cool optional Akrapovic Titanium exhaust. Regardless, we’re just happy to be able to feature it here on Tailored Driver.

    Hat tip to Chris of Parts by Topher on Facebook for help with verification. See all the details of this Audi exclusive Northern Lights Blue Metallic S6, here, and additional photos on AutoTrader.

  • Market Find: BMW Individual Austin Yellow 435i

    Market Find: BMW Individual Austin Yellow 435i

    While we sadly are not able to verify, this Tailored Driver screams “Auto Show special.” It’s a relatively simple concept- a manufacturer needs to maximize eyeballs in a competitive environment, so they swing for the fences. This is generally even more apparent in large markets events that are manufacturer supported, with shows like Miami and LA being the best examples. If that is indeed the case with this BMW Individual Austin Yellow (austingelb; metallic; B67; BMW) 435i, we say it’s a job well done.

    Painted in the aforementioned BMW Individual Austin Yellow paint, more commonly seen on the F80 generation M3, this 435i (VIN: WBA4B1C55GG241995) is a fairly divisive proposition. Apart from the color, BMW simply calling this a 4-series rather than a 3-series was something that rattled the enthusiast community. Thankfully, BMW quickly put that fire out by unveiling the new 4 series with it’s controversial grille.

    Getting back on topic, we’re big fans of Austin Yellow and the similar Phoenix Yellow that precedes it, and while Ivory White leather isn’t at the top of our list, we think the build works incredibly well. This Tailored Driver has covered approximately 34,000 miles since new, and is currently on offer at Hollywood, Florida’s Godspeed Motors for an asking price of $25,995. See all the details about this BMW Individual Austin Yellow 435i, here.