Wanderlust

Category: Color Check

  • Color Check: Tau Silver Matte RS 6 Avant at Audi Forum Ingolstadt

    Color Check: Tau Silver Matte RS 6 Avant at Audi Forum Ingolstadt

    There’s no question that Bavaria is rich in destinations for car enthusiasts traveling into the region. You could spend days alone visiting headquarter museums for BMW in Münich, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart and Audi in Ingolstadt… and you still wouldn’t have seen it all. Moving beyond the main HQs of these storied brands, fans of the factory tailors should definitely not miss out on the lesser-known Audi Forum Neckarsulm where you’ll find amazing cars like this Tau Silver Matte RS 6 Avant we encountered during our last visit in 2022.

    Behind the car in many of these photos, you’ll find equally unique cars. Why is that? For many years, Neckarsulm played home to quattro GmbH, the Audi business unit that controls the Audi exclusive tailoring division. So, while the Audi Forum Ingolstadt got the vast museum mobile, the Audi Forum Neckarsulm got a unique second-floor showroom that serves as a revolving exhibition of everything Audi exclusive is capable of.

    This RS 6 may be painted in a neutral tone less eye-catching than some of its more colorful showroom neighbors, but it’s still an extensively unique factory build. The color is known as Tau Silver and is painted in matte effect finish (tausilber, matte effect, X7E, Audi). Inside, the seats are made in black and accented with Karmesin Red leather on the bolsters – subtle but yet again with Audi exclusive’s panel-by-panel customization approach.

    Of course, the color scheme of silver, black and red is also embracing the color way of Audi Sport, which is particularly fitting on a car like the RS 6 Avant.

    The Audi Forum Neckarsulm isn’t as well known as Ingolstadt as it is perhaps less of a grand tourist destination, but it’s a destination nonetheless complete with delivery center, restaurant, Audi collection shop, Audi Tradition exhibit and more. You should consider going.

  • Color Check: Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue RS 4 Avant Spied in Ingolstadt Parking Lot

    Color Check: Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue RS 4 Avant Spied in Ingolstadt Parking Lot

    Say you’re driving down the road in Audi’s hometown of Ingolstadt, Germany and you see a Nogaro Blue Audi RS 4 Avant. Do you pull a U-turn and go back, shooting plenty of photos of the car? If so, you might be a tailored car geek. We know we are.

    Just a block away from the Audi Forum Ingolstadt back when this B8-era RS 4 was a new car, we ran across this particular Avant in the parking lot of a supplier. Parked just yards from a main thoroughfare, it sat rather unassumingly behind several other parked new Audi models of much less interesting specification.

    Longtime Audi fans will immediately recognize the color – Nogaro Blue. The hue is a nearly primary blue with pearlescent effect introduced on the RS2 Avant in the 1990s and more widely utilized on cars like the B5 and B6 S4 sedans. It was retired at the beginning of the B7 era, then returned with the B8s.

    Seeing a car like the RS 4 Avant in Nogaro Blue brings back a lot of memories. Apparently that wasn’t lost on whomever spec’ed the car as it also featured matching blue Alcantara seating segmentation and color-matched blue dash trim as well. 

    Unfortunately, you won’t see any shots of the interior in our photo gallery. This may well have been a privately owned car by a local Audi executive and as such I avoided going full paparazzi by taking shots of the interior. That said, I shot plenty of photos of the car’s exterior as it was parked in a public space. More images can be found in our associated photo gallery below.

  • Color Check: Oak Green Metallic 991.2 GT3 Touring at Air Water 2025

    Color Check: Oak Green Metallic 991.2 GT3 Touring at Air Water 2025

    Events like Air|Water bring a wave of vibrant colors from the Porsche community. When it’s thoughtfully curated, it feels like being a kid in a candy store. @PTSRS and Air|Water teamed up to present “Colors of Air|Water,” and we spent hours capturing content for our site. The rain didn’t stop us. It added mood and contrast, bringing each color to life in both overcast light and the bright California sun.

    We continue the series with a standout solo feature: a 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring in Paint to Sample Oak Green Metallic. Everyone has their own definition of the perfect spec, but this one feels universally right. On her Bramo profile, Hannah shares, “Purchased in July 2024. My second 911, but my first GT3. Specifically bought this GT3 T for its stellar ownership history—low 6k mileage, perfect DME report, serviced and driven with care. PTS Oak Green Metallic. Understated and classy without the wing. My Porsche addiction started when I first drove my 991.2 7MT 911 Carrera T. I’m at my happiest while I’m behind the wheel of my 911s.”

    Understated and classy without the wing? We couldn’t agree more.

    Oak Green Metallic (oakgrünmetallic; metallic uni; 265 / 22L / 60K) is a classic Porsche shade rooted in the brand’s 1980s and 1990s catalog. Though offered as a standard color during that era, it remained relatively uncommon. Today, it returns through Porsche’s Paint to Sample program, preserving its distinctive character as an elegant green with prominent gold flake and a warmer tone than its modern counterpart, Oak Green Metallic Neo. Its rarity and vintage appeal have made it a favorite among enthusiasts aiming to evoke Porsche heritage with a timeless factory-correct look.

    Check out the full gallery below.

  • Color Check: Speed Yellow 993 Carrera RS and 997 GT3 at Air Water 2025

    Color Check: Speed Yellow 993 Carrera RS and 997 GT3 at Air Water 2025

    Events like Air|Water bring a wave of vibrant colors from the Porsche community. When it’s thoughtfully curated, it feels like being a kid in a candy store. @PTSRS and Air|Water teamed up to present “Colors of Air|Water,” and we spent hours capturing content for our site. The rain didn’t stop us. It added mood and contrast, bringing each color to life in both overcast light and the bright California sun.

    We’re continuing our series with Speed Yellow. We’ll dive deeper in a future Color Focus feature, but here’s a quick summary of what makes it stand out.

    Speed Yellow (Speedgelb, nonmetallic, 12G / L12G / X4) was introduced in the early 1990s and became a signature Porsche color through the air cooled and early water cooled eras. According to the Rennbow database, it first appeared around the 1993 model year on cars like the 964 Carrera RS 3.8 and 968, and remained available through the 997 generation, officially ending in 2012. Though it was later replaced by the brighter Racing Yellow, Speed Yellow continues today through Porsche’s Paint to Sample (PTS) program.

    Where many Porsche colors lean toward subtlety or historic significance, Speed Yellow channels Porsche’s racing spirit like few other colors. It’s bold, unapologetic, and instantly recognizable. It’s closely associated with GT models, Turbo models, and even limited production examples like the Speed Yellow 968 coupes and cabs built for North America.

    Browsing the Bramo app, we did find the profile for this 993 Carrera RS. Not hard to spot, given how rare this car is. The owner, Darin, states: “The 993 Carrera RS is one of the most desirable driver-focused 911s to ever leave the factory, with a perfect blend of classic 911 analogue feel and then-modern 1990s mechanical technology. 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera RS chassis number WP0ZZZ99ZTS390456 is a highly original example with just under 37,X” The photos also show Japanese license plates, which suggests this might be a Japan import. Would love to learn more.

    The 997 GT3 finished in Speed Yellow checks all the boxes for a future classic, and it’s already highly sought after today. As one of the last analog GT3s before the shift to electric steering and dual clutch gearboxes, the 997 GT3 blends raw performance with a driving experience that feels connected and pure.

    Powered by the legendary Mezger engine, derived from Porsche’s motorsport programs, it delivers naturally aspirated power with a soundtrack and response that enthusiasts still chase today. Add to that a six speed manual, rear wheel drive, and no unnecessary frills, and you have a formula that defines what a driver’s car should be.

    Check out the video and gallery below for a walk around of both cars.

  • Color Check: Audi exclusive Frosted Glass Blue Metallic R8 V10 Performance Spyder

    Color Check: Audi exclusive Frosted Glass Blue Metallic R8 V10 Performance Spyder

    Sometimes, from the archives of the world wide web, we uncover something worth noting. We check forums, social posts, and even old dealer listings. That’s exactly what happened with this find. Lamborghini Newport Beach, thank you for posting those photos online; they’ve found their way to the Tailored Driver audience.

    Here we have an Audi exclusive Frosted Glass Blue Metallic R8 V10 Performance Spyder. If you know your blues, you know this is not an original Audi color. This blue originates from Aston Martin’s “Q” special-order palette and has been adopted by Audi through its Audi exclusive program.

    We weren’t able to source a color code from Audi, but looking at it’s origins at Aston Martin, the official color code is 6003D, also referenced as AST6003D or AM6003. This color is described as a light blue metallic with a subtle white flake, achieved using actual glass particles to create its unique shimmer.

    While Audi does not publicly list a specific code for this color, a user on Reddit mentioned that the Audi/BASF code is DE01-2018-2218-4.  However, this code may not be universally recognized.

    Love it or hate, you’ll have to admit this is a pretty rare color for the 4 rings brand. In our research, we came across a few models wearing this Aston Martin blue, including a TT RS, RS 6 Avant, and RS 4 Avant. While this specific R8 is no longer for sale, we find the VIN in hopes of learning more. We didn’t get far. But if you’re up for a deep dive, the VIN is WUA4BCFX4L7900884. Let us know what you find.

    Enjoy the full gallery below from Lamborghini Newport Beach.

  • Color Check: Maritime Blue 964 RS 3.8 and 718 Spyder at Air Water 2025

    Color Check: Maritime Blue 964 RS 3.8 and 718 Spyder at Air Water 2025

    Events like Air|Water bring a wave of vibrant colors from the Porsche community. When it’s thoughtfully curated, it feels like being a kid in a candy store. @PTSRS and Air|Water teamed up to present “Colors of Air|Water,” and we spent hours capturing content for our site. The rain didn’t stop us. It added mood and contrast, bringing each color to life in both overcast light and the bright California sun.

    We’re kicking things off with Maritime Blue, a color we’ve featured on the site before. In our Color Focus series, we took a closer look at its origins and where it stands today.

    Here’s a quick recap: Maritime Blue (maritimblau, nonmetallic UNI, 5MB, Porsche) was either introduced or rose to prominence during the 964 era. According to Porsche Club’s Rennbow database, it was mainly available from 1991 to 1995, with a few exceptions, including a possible appearance in 1979 on the Carrera SC. Rennbow also notes it may have evolved from early Porsche Enamel Blue.

    At its core, Maritime Blue is a near primary shade that echoes the early national racing colors of France, often called French Blue, made iconic in the prewar era by Bugatti.

    We don’t have many details on this particular 964, but chances are you don’t need us to tell you just how rare this car really is. Built by Porsche Motorsport in 1993, the 964 RS 3.8 is one of just 55 units ever produced. Designed as a homologation special for the 964 RSR race car, it featured a widened Turbo body, a 3.8 liter air cooled flat six, and lightweight construction throughout. With most examples staying in Europe and many destined for the track, seeing one in Maritime Blue is an exceptionally rare occasion. Seeing one in the United States is even more rare.

    Using the Bramo app, we get more insights on this 718 Spyder. The owner states, “Car was spec’d in collaboration with @PTSRS and our local dealership. The car originally resided in MA but has been enjoyed by myself and friends in CA for the last year and a half.” Pretty rad to spec it with PTSRS and bring it to an event organized by him.

    Check out the video and gallery below for a walk around of both cars.

  • Color Check: Gunther Werks GW Coupe in Sterling Silver

    Color Check: Gunther Werks GW Coupe in Sterling Silver

    When it comes to Porsche 911-based remasters, Gunther Werks has built a solid reputation and a specific niche of the last-of-the-air-cooleds 993-generation. Over the years, Gunther Werks has expanded its formula to include more racing-focused cars and Speedsters, but its their core GW specification forms the core.

    Getting to the core Gunther Werks formula, it’s hard to argue with the idea of doing a classic and understated silver. Gunther Werks calls this particular version Sterling Silver, and it works well. Stylistically, the understated hue allows all of their incredible detail work to do the talking. In a more literal sense, the audible talking comes from an optimized 4.0-liter normally-aspirated flat six developed by Rothsport Racing.

    Find this and more on the Gunther Werks Facebook Page HERE.

  • Color Check: Singer Classic Turbo in Azzurro La Plata

    Color Check: Singer Classic Turbo in Azzurro La Plata

    We’re always down for the latest Singer commission around these parts, and the car you see here certainly qualifies. Built to the firm’s Classic Turbo specification, this Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer stylistically builds on the classic G-body 80s 911 yet takes it to a whole other level of cool.

    The paint color, a light blue not altogether far from Gulf Blue, is known as Azzurro La Plata. It features ghosted stripes to add to the sporting appeal. Several photos of the car were posted to their Facebook Page.

    Inside, the cockpit is primarily onyx leather with Alcantara and houndstooth fabric on select surfaces including lightweight, carbon fiber track seats. Light blue accents continue on the inside, including powder blue seatbelts, lower cabin surfaces and portions of the instrumentation.

    In the rear, a harness bar and cross brace includes Singer badge in brass.

    It being a Singer, the car is based on a 964 even though it stylistically now resembles a G-body much more closely. It’s powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged intercooled flat six.

  • New Euro Market Base e-tron GT Gives Audi exclusive Opportunity to Share Killer Spec

    New Euro Market Base e-tron GT Gives Audi exclusive Opportunity to Share Killer Spec

    Audi AG showed off their new e-tron GT quattro this week. With likely no plans for American sale, the car is an interesting spec fitting in below the S e-tron GT in the brand’s fine-tuning of the e-tron GT range since the facelift was released. More importantly, it gave Audi the opportunity to show off some Audi exclusive specs.

    For Audi exclusive watchers, that’s bit of a hack worth watching. On the Audi AG website, each model sub-page tends to get its own Audi exclusive photo set. Click on the e-tron GT range (S, RS, RS performance and now quattro) and you get a different spec.

    In the case of the e-tron GT quattro, the spec is Cumulus Blue exterior paint. Inside, there’s Black Fine Napa Leather with contrast stitching and leather segmentation in Diamond Silver. It’s most definitely a handsome look.

    Find that consumer page HERE.

  • Color Check: BMW Frozen Urban Green Solid

    Color Check: BMW Frozen Urban Green Solid

    As M GmbH is want to do on social media, the BMW performance division has shared another great color from its BMW Individual color pallet. Frozen Urban Green Solid (frozenurbangrün; non metallic UNI; P9Y; BMW) is BMW speak for matte Urban Green non-metallic, and man does it look good on an M3 Touring.

    Okay, fair question one can’t answer. Does anything look bad on an M3 Touring? Probably not, but still this does look good. Military-like greens have been a popular choice these last few years from German carmakers, and Urban Green in matte solid is particularly military-looking.

    Check it out on BMW M’s Facebook page HERE.