Near as we can tell, Imola Yellow first hit the market on the B5 S4, continuing as a regular standard color on S4 and RS 4 variants into the early B8 era of that Audi platform. Audi’s Vegas Yellow has taken the position as the leading standard sport color palette yellow and even go-to Audi exclusive yellow since then, leaving the once popular Imola a seldom seen hue in the modern era. Then Audi dropped its throwback tribute RS 4 Avant edition 25 years and Imola Yellow was back… at least on a very few RS 4 Avants.
If you’re one of our North American readers, you can chalk this one up to “forbidden fruit” status. The RS 4 Avant isn’t sold in the U.S. or Canada, and Audi’s North American importers didn’t do an in-kind RS 5 Sportback before either recently ceased production as the factory shifts to B10 production. Even still, it’s great to see Imola on a modern car.
Another thing we like about these sorts of shoots is that the subsequent detailed photography we see here from Audi UK is also great for those keeping close track of partsbin components. Yes, the bulk of our focus are the factory tailors, however drilling down on those who love to comb through other market offerings for key component upgrades in the OEM+ genre of car modification are also close to our hearts. We’ve been known to partake in this practice when car companies don’t make such components available in their own right.
We’ve covered the RS 4 Avant edition 25 years before (check the tag cloud below this story), but we’re still running these. Besides the aforementioned OEM+ part considerations, real world photos are always a great way to gauge a color, and detailed shoots like this are also inspirational when you consider more open book tailored orders.
From the affordable tailored segment of the market comes this 2011 Audi S5 Cabriolet ( WAUVGAFHXBN001647 listed by 1600veloce on Bring a Trailer. Not only is its brown on brown color combination totally fitting in the midst of autumn, its unique spec on a 67,000 mile 2011 S5 with replaced 7-speed DSG transmission hints that it will result in an approachable number for someone seeking a unique specification on a budget.
Here’s what we know about the specification of the car without having seen the Monroney sticker or build list. The paint color is listed as Audi exclusive Teak Brown Metallic. In 2011, Teak Brown was offered on the A5 and other models, though it wasn’t offered on the S5. This would have made it an Audi exclusive paint, more affordable than a completely custom color because it was in production elsewhere in the lineup.
A puzzle is the interior specification. The BaT listing states that it’s Tuscan Brown Nappa Leather. Using the European model literature as a reference, we’re not seeing a Tuscan Brown option, though do see Magma Red and Mustang Brown. Typically, a car with a deviating Audi exclusive interior would have an aluminum “Audi exclusive” badge on the door panel. This car does not have that, so we’re guessing this amber brown interior isn’t an Audi exclusive specification.
We don’t have a MY2011 U.S. order guide so aren’t able to confirm the specification of the interior, but we’re guessing it was standard and rare color at the time. Whatever, it’s a great specification on a car with low mileage for its age and some wear and tear that should make it an enjoyable and affordable driver.
Check out more on the Bring a Trailer website listing HERE.
For those in the know, Audi’s SQ8 is in many ways the most ‘base’ variant of the Lamborghini Urus, and at a fraction of the price. Painting with an incredibly broad brush here, the SQ8 has an incredibly similar four liter twin-turbo V8, the same platform architecture underpinning it, and minus the badging, an incredibly similar interior. Sure, it’s got a bit less boost and is understandably not quite as rapid, but what do you expect for a third of the cost?
This particular Audi SQ8 (VIN: WA1AWBF12PD025557) finished in Audi exclusive Merlin Purple (merlin purple; pearl effect; 4B / LZ3W / Z3W; Audi) is currently on offer by our friends at Audi Wilmington in Delaware with just 4,450 miles on the clock. This is particularly interesting because its CarFax claims two owners- the first in Selma, Texas, and the second in Florida before making its way to the First State. Sure this could be in error, but we mention it for the following reason- assuming this SQ8 was driven to each destination mentioned on the CarFax with zero detours, that would total 2,519 miles. That’s 56% of total miles covered since new, simply spent moving to new homes or service appointments. Wild.
Non-relevant statistics aside, this is a hell of a lot of car for the asking price of $87,270. We wouldn’t hesitate to bring it home and pile on miles for enjoyment rather than necessity.
See the full listing for this Tailored Driver, here.
Let’s start by getting this out of the way- it’s October, Halloween is just days away, and the combination of Audi exclusive Solar Orange (Y2G) and Black Optic package bears some resemblance to a pumpkin. But this isn’t just any squash, and it certainly wouldn’t fall victim to any Halloween eve antics.
Currently found for sale in the Facebook Marketplace classifieds, this Audi exclusive Solar Orange RS 5 Coupe (VIN: unknown) was purchased by its owner just a few short months ago at Porsche Austin before life sent them in a different direction. One of just 22 Audi RS 5s that hit our shores in 2014 wearing Audi exclusive paint, this example has covered just under 59,000 miles and seems to be in quite good shape.
While Audi exclusive Solar Orange paint may be the headline, the high-rev 4.2 liter V8 under hood is nothing to scoff at either. At an asking price of $36,000, this Tailored Driver is an incredibly interesting proposition, and one we’d be more than happy to call our own.
See the full listing with additional information, here.
Check out the specification sheet of the Audi A5 Cabriolet you see here and you’ll note it is incredibly expensive. That is so because it’s loaded with Audi exclusive paint and a highly tailored interior, which of course makes sense when you consider it was built to showcase customization and presented in the Audi exclusive studio at the brand forum in Neckarsulm.
The color is Piemont Red (piemontrot; Pearl Effect; Z3H; Audi exclusive), and initially turned up on the 2012 A3 sedan concept earlier that year. And while we’re not sure if the code may have been slightly reformulated from concept to full-on production, it remains an incredible deep and dark red.
On the stand of the A3 sedan, then member of the Audi design team Stefan Sielaff shared with us that the paint color had been named for the region of Northern Italy where so many Audi staff enjoy vacations. That region is known for its red wine production, and Piemont Red harks that wine and those grapes.
Shortly after debuting the A3 Sedan concept, this A5 turned up at the Audi Forum Neckarsulm where we were visiting that year and nabbed a few photos. Its Cognac Brown interior is an excellent pairing with Piemont Red, and Cognac remains a popular standard option in cars like the Audi RS 6, RS 7 and RS Q8 today.
Convertible Audi models are frequently popular at the Audi exclusive studio because, parked as they are with top down, the unique specifications of their interiors are on full display. These photographs are from 2012 and the A5 (B8) had just been updated, which made for an even better opportunity to exhibit all the latest the brand had to offer.
While not as common as other Audi exclusive colors like Nogaro Blue or Goodwood Green, Piemont Red is appreciated enough that it is seen with some regularity on Audi exclusive builds, and certainly not one of the most obscure colors on the Audi exclusive palette. It’s also got a great history and back story.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Like a deer in lights – that was probably the best way to describe my state of mind in 2009 when I’d been prepared to order an Audi exclusive S5 Coupé. Audi’s V8 coupe marked the four rings’ return to a two-door gran turismo, one Volkswagen Group design boss Walter De Silva to this day claims was his favorite design of all time.
Back then, I was editor of the Audi-focused blog Fourtitude.com (merged into its sister website VWvortex long ago by its current publishers), and my focus was the Audi brand specifically. Our publication was granted an Audi each year on long-term loan in order to generate year-round content and see duty at car shows. After seeing the always unique lineups at auto shows in Geneva, Paris and Frankfurt, I’d pitched Audi to consider granting me access to Audi exclusive tailoring for the car. They agreed and sent me an order guide. Now, it was time to pick that color and frankly I was at a loss. There were just so many choices.
As I weighed my options, I’d decided to stick to known Audi colors, and had two opposing concepts forming in my head. One option looked backward to something classic, and the other looked forward towards modernism and Audi’s future.
Option #1 leaned the GT nature of the then-new S5 had me thinking of the recently retired Goodwood Green. That slightly darker take on classic British Racing Green had shown up on cars like the TT 3.2 VR6, B5 RS 4 in Europe and B6 S4 here in the USA. I envisioned it with tan leather (or brown if they’d let me dip into custom leather colors) and wood or aluminum trim. Creating a rendering in photoshop, I remember it looking like a baby Bentley Continental GT, a car that had also recently come to the fore thanks to the Volkswagen Group.
Option #2 went a totally different direction. The also-recently-introduced mid-engined R8 Coupé had a very distinct light blue metallic paint that mimicked the Le Mans concept on which the R8 was based. Jet Blue (1Y1Y) looked even better in the renderings. I went further in my pursuit of a tailored spec by choosing the stock Pearl Silver Silk Nappa Leather that was also a launch options for the S5. Combined with carbon fiber, the cockpit was fresh and modern with a high-tech feel that suited the Audi well.
Looking back at it, the pricing for Audi exclusive paint in those years was incredibly reasonable. On the car’s build sheet, the Jet Blue Metallic paint is listed at $1,300 and another $1,200 Audi exclusive order fee. That’s only $2,500 for special paint in that model year.
In my year of time with that car (VIN WAURV78TX9A003802), on loan as it was from Audi of America, it served as daily driver and constant show car. Its understated nature gave it more of an “if you know you know” status than any in-your-face color would have.
A friend who worked with executives at Volkswagen Group gave it the best back-handed compliment. “It looks like something a board member would order,” she said. While I’m not sure it would have been her choice, ordering something avant-garde like a senior executive with a large company car budget and access to whatever they wanted seemed like a solid compliment to me.
A few years later the car popped up at Audi North Scottsdale on trade and I was tempted to try to pick it up given how unique it remained, though a friend at the dealer informed me it was having some issues with an aftermarket theft tracking system that had been installed so I ultimately never bothered.
Searching the VIN today shows it made its way to California where in 2019 it appears to have turned up at a Copart auction with the front clip missing, likely due to a light front end collision. Shots of the interior show the exceptionally light-colored Pearl Silver leather looking a bit dirty and worn, while the wheels are refinished in black. IT asold at that auction for just $1,350. It shows up looking repaired and looking a lot better at a used car lot in Sacramento with a salvage title. Where it is today remains unknown.
