With this new Color Chart series, we’re aiming to catalogue even more paint colors from various periods. First up is this 1994 and 1995 model year mix from Audi labeled as Lifestyle colors and they’re an interesting mix of often intense colors.
In 1994 and 1995, Audi was on the ropes. Porsche was about to launch the RS2, which was very special indeed, but Audi as a brand was challenged to come up with a freshened range of cars that could rekindle the market attention that had waned since the retirement of the original “ur” quattro.
Audi exclusive was in its infancy, and special colors like these had been chosen by the brand’s design team as something special to juice sales and interest in the cars. A contact from that time who worked at the Simi Valley Design Studio even suggests studio chief J. Mays had ordered his own company car in Inca Yellow as seen in this chart.
When you think of Las Vegas, chances are that images of bright lights come to mind- whether those lights are on the strip, or perched atop one of the city’s many slot machines. Along with those thoughts also come strong feelings, as Vegas is a fairly divisive love-it-or-hate-it kind of town. Perhaps through that lens, Audi naming this hue “Vegas Yellow” is appropriate in more ways than one.
Currently for sale at friends of the site Audi Wilmington (Delaware), this Audi exclusive Vegas Yellow S5 Coupe (VIN: WAUP4AF54PA036139) was initially ordered by a dealer employee who is a card-carrying member of Team Fun. While most would not consider Vegas Yellow, we think this S5 pulls it off quite well, especially having been paired with the Black Optic package. On the inside things are much more tame, with black leather sport seats featuring deviated stitching and carbon fiber trim.
We were big fans of Vegas Yellow when it debuted on the Audi TT S and S3, and we’re also big fans of Audi Wilmington. So call us biased, but if you’re in the market for an S5 with Tailored Driver cred, we think it’d be pretty hard to do much better than this. See the full details of this Audi exclusive Vegas Yellow S5 on Audi Wilmington’s website, here.
If you want to make a paint color forgettable, call it “beige” and make it a launch color on your first EV. That’s exactly what Audi did with the paint color you see here. Dubbed “Siam Beige” it debuted on Ingolstadt’s first e-tron. And while debatably it may very well have been the best-looking paint color offered on the e-tron, product managers shared with us at the time that it had the lowest install rate of any color sold standard on that car.
Why? It was called “beige”. That doesn’t exactly spell out excitement. Even still, we’d argue Siam Beige should get more love than it does. If you’re a fan of subtle tonal colors like Porsche’s Chalk, Crayon or Fashion Grey, then Audi exclusive’s Siam Beige is worth a second look. Alas, when it comes to client-chosen Audi exclusive colors, it often gets overlooked just as it did in the original e-tron’s color guide.
So, when we see car’s like this, we’re reminded why we love it so much. The car you see here is a MY2021 Audi R8 V10 RWD that’s part of the Audi Certified Pre-Owned inventory at Audi Melbourne… (Florida, not Australia).
While we wish Audi Melbourne would have closed the ajar frunk on the R8 for their photos, we applaud them for listing the color in the ad listing. The latter is especially helpful on a color like this shot in a showroom where it can be mistaken for a silver or other grey, leaving it nearly impossible to identify without the aid of the individual who used care filling out the listing. Hat tip to them then.
We find a car as in-your-face as an R8 often looks great in an understated yet handsome tone. Siam Beige fits the bill just fine, and we applaud the original owner for building it to that spec. Should you wish to be the next owner, check it out at Audi Melbourne.
Alright, we’ll level with you. Green over tan isn’t exactly groundbreaking, and if you’ve been here for a bit you’ve certainly seen it before. But for the truly afflicted, the nuance of this Audi exclusive RS 6 Avant in Oak Green Metallic paired with Cognac extended leather an matching(!) seat belts is clearly a cut above.
Currently on offer at Audi Pacific in Torrance, California, the RS 6 (VIN: WUA1CBF22NN902419) you see here represents arguably the best of the Volkswagen Group’s portfolio- a monumentally fast wagon in a Porsche color. Equally at home in the canyons and in the pick-up line at your local elementary school, we simply have zero edits. Whoever initially spec’d this one crushed it.
Having covered just under 17,000 miles and priced at $103,995, this Audi exclusive Oak Green Metallic RS 6 Avant seems like a pretty good deal too. It’s clearly been loved, used, and it’s ready for the right home. We sincerely hope that home is with one of you.
See the full listing for this Tailored Driver, here.
The electric Gran Turismo will be available as a strictly limited Audi exclusive edition at market launch
Customization program has been setting standards in the personalization of premium vehicles since 1995
Studios in the Audi Forums in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm offer customers advice to help realize their vision
[source: Audi AG]
The car is an unmistakable expression of one´s own personality – that is the philosophy of Audi exclusive. Since 1995, the brand with the four rings has been setting standards in the personalization of premium vehicles in keeping with this motto. An early example of this pioneering spirit was the Office packages for the first-generation Audi A8, which included a refrigerator, bar compartment, VHS player and monitor, folding table, and power curtains.
The ability to integrate high-demand design options directly into production has improved significantly in recent years. While the standard range for most Audi models boasts up to eleven colors, Audi exclusive allows customers to choose from an even broader spectrum of additional finishes, including a variety of special Audi exclusive finishes and standard colors from other Audi models. Different markets show different preferences among a range of nuances, from matte to gloss finishes in a wide range of colors.
The Audi exclusive portfolio covers three main areas: full personalization, predefined design and stitching packages, and editions. Customers can choose from a range of eight main finishes for the interior, complemented by three accent colors – Alaska Blue, Iguana Green, and Calendula Yellow. They are showcased perfectly in the Bicolor packages for the Audi e-tron GT, for example. “We want to allow everyone to design their Audi to be as individual as they are,” says Michael Binder from the Audi exclusive Product Marketing team. “Every one of our customers wants to express themselves with their Audi – without saying a word. With the color and material combinations and our many years of experience, we help customers express their personality and individual style through their car.”
Successes and developments in customer service
Since 2005, Audi exclusive has emphasized its presence with its studios at the Audi Forum in Neckarsulm and Ingolstadt. Customers there receive comprehensive advice and enjoy direct access to the wide range of design options on offer. With the knowledge of their product experts, these centers of excellence are open to customers from all over the world to help them realize their preferences and personal vision. The entire spectrum of customization options can be experienced live on site, and tailor-made solutions are created in personal conversations.
A significant innovation was the introduction in 2022 of the Audi exclusive customizer*. This visualization tool provides detailed 3D renderings of thousands of exterior and interior color combinations, giving customers a taste of the virtually limitless customization possibilities.
Car enthusiasts will find the right range of exclusive and limited design-oriented elements for luxury and mid-range models at Audi exclusive. Customers of Audi exclusive value autonomy, luxury, high-quality materials, precise manufacturing and sustainability. On average, one in five Audi R8s delivered by Audi featured a personalized interior by Audi exclusive, making the R8 the most frequently equipped car by Audi exclusive to date.
A current example of this special individuality is the Audi of Canadian racecar driver Jacques Villeneuve, whose characteristic helmet design is reflected in his Audi RS 6 Avant2. His car was given a pink body, blue brake calipers, yellow stitching, green JV logos embroidered on the seats, and red seat belts to create an unmistakable overall appearance.
The new Audi e-tron GT as a platform for creative innovations
With the introduction of the new S e-tron GT3, RS e-tron GT4, and RS e-tron GT performance5, Audi exclusive is setting benchmarks for the personalization of electric vehicles. The only Audi model to be built at Böllinger Höfe, the Audi e-tron GT family represents the Neckarsulm site, while the performance variant is the sporty flagship of the Audi portfolio. Audi is using the debut of the new electric Gran Turismo to introduce innovative, customized options from Audi exclusive. Through sophisticated elegance and advanced technology, the electric Gran Turismo is the perfect symbiosis of performance and high tech. With a wide range of finishes and materials, Audi exclusive allows customers to design their e-tron GT model to be one of a kind.
At market launch: e-tron GT models as an Audi exclusive edition
All three model variants of the new Audi e-tron GT are also available as a 299-unit limited Audi exclusive edition in North America, Europe, and other overseas markets. Since the creative minds at Audi find inspiration everywhere in their environment, it is no surprise that the Audi Design team turned to nature and its constant change to inspire the new worlds of color on offer. Like a kind of design sculpture, each new Audi e-tron GT is meant to always look exciting and fresh from every perspective. Color and trim designer Christopher Kroener was inspired by the subtle ways that nature changes temperature and light throughout the day. “Our choice of colors was not for a specific tone per se, but rather an emotional approach to the possibility of reproducing a fleeting moment of nature,” explains Kroener. Inspired by morning dew, Mint Gray evokes the fresh feeling of a morning walk, while Mora Violet provides a stylish contrast that reflects a strong, modern aesthetic.
Combined with creativity, an affinity for trends, and technical expertise, the new materials on offer help the new worlds of color make a stirring impact.
Exterior highlights in Arabica Gray and matte Neodymium Gold
One unmistakable feature of the series is the expressive exterior finish in Arabica Gray. Daytona Gray Pearl Effect, a very popular classic, inspired the color. Arabica Gray is versatile and premium quality. When viewed in the shade, the tone appears dark, but it takes on a golden hue when viewed in the light. This mix of brown, gold, and gray is unique. The luster of the finish is reminiscent of roasted coffee beans, and depending on the lighting, it can take on a unique depth and sophistication.
Based on the new 6 double-spoke RS design, the progressive wheel design of the Audi exclusive edition is available for the first time in black, matte Neodymium Gold, and burnished silver. This three-tone look echoes the bold hue of the Arabica Gray finish and elevates the appearance of the exterior to perfection. Metallic Neodymium underlines the car’s sporty elegance and exclusivity. “I took a new approach to the design of the different wheels, deliberately choosing not to use a dark aluminum and instead opting for a warmer variation that systematically reflects the gold particles in the Arabica Gray finish,” says wheel designer Andreas Valencia Pollex. “A vehicle’s wheels can harmoniously complement or radically change its overall look, just like your choice of shoes can complete your entire outfit.” During development, the wheel colors evolved from silver through black and bronze to their final iteration in bright gold. The desire for conspicuous elegance resulted in the increased use of matte Neodymium Gold. This extraordinary wheel color was first available for the RS 6 Avant performance6.
Interior highlights in Mint Gray and Mora Violet
The distribution of its colors gives the leather-free interior the appearance of a four-seater, but it legally seats five. The seats’ center panels, shoulder arches, and side bolsters come in Mint Gray to contrast with the Mora Violet areas. This is the first time that Audi exclusive has used these new colors. As a particular highlight, the decorative inlays on the instrument panel come in eucalyptus wood (in addition to carbon variations) trimmed in anthracite, which is used in this way for the first time. Eucalyptus is known for its characteristic look, created by the dense grain of light and dark waves. The distinctive Sport seats plus ensure maximum comfort. They are optionally available with ventilation and massage functions, either alone or in combination. The seats are upholstered in a combination of Cascade fabric, Dinamica microfiber, and Mono.pur 550 artificial leather with special waterfall stitching. Details such as door inserts in Mint Gray Dinamica microfiber with Audi exclusive badges, color-coordinated loudspeaker grilles, and switch covers, as well as color-coordinated seat belts, steering wheel, and floor mats round out the interior as an expressive statement.
Virtual environments
As part of the Audi exclusive edition, Audi is also making personalization possible in the digital world. Instead of an embossed number badge, the MMI indicates each limited model’s sequential number. Edition-specific MMI wallpaper with color-coordinated ambient lighting completes the digital experience. All previous MMI designs remain available along with these new features and can be freely selected by customers as before.
Individual customizations for the new Audi e-tron GT
In addition, Audi exclusive offers other packages that transform the interior into an expression of the customer’s personality through the use of contrasting colors. The two-tone Audi exclusive Bicolor design package is particularly noteworthy, combining fascinating charisma and differentiating colors. Interested customers can choose from four predefined interiors: Alaska Blue, Calendula Yellow, Iguana Green, or Crimson Red, each in combination with black. Contrasting stitching, exclusive leather accents on interior elements, and the air vent frames are color-coordinated with the selected package.
On the other hand, the Cognac Brown / Jet Gray design package sets a timeless accent characterized by an elegant command of style. The premium quality of the fine Cognac Brown Nappa leather, combined with subtle Jet Gray contrast stitching, gives the interior a sporty look with an understated touch. It stands as a stylish contrast to the vivid Bicolor packages.
For more intense color variations, the Audi exclusive stitching packages allow customers to choose distinctive stitching colors for a range of interior applications in combination with black leather to give their vehicle a sporty touch. What all the packages have in common is attention to detail, maximum precision, and the highest quality, all of which combine to give the interior a truly personal appearance.
In addition to these packages, which have been predefined by Audi design experts and will be expanded throughout the product’s lifecycle, another highlight is free personalization, which allows Audi exclusive customers to express their personal style on numerous interior components. These personalization offers have been in high demand since the launch of the Audi e-tron GT. The steering wheel is the most frequently personalized component, with 30% of all personalization requests, followed by the floor mats with 22%. The predefined design packages were used 16% of the time, a significant portion of the total Audi exclusive offering.
The creative minds at Audi will have no shortage of ideas going forward. Current developments in the field of digitalization point to a future where traditional design elements will increasingly blend with virtual immersion. This opens up new dimensions for customized experiences and increases the impact of the offerings. The Audi e-tron GT and Audi exclusive stand for this harmonious combination of progressive personalization and modern electric mobility.
*The configurator is available in German and English. Please select your preferred language directly within the configurator.
It was just a few weeks ago that Audi revealed its updated RS e-tron GT including RS e-tron GT performance. And while the new model isn’t yet on sale, the brand is already showing off this tastefully tailored version on their Audi Deutschland Facebook Page.
On the outside, the car gets Suzuka Grey Metallic (suzukagrau, pearl effect UNI; LY7F / M1 ; Audi) paint. Near as we can tell, this extremely light grey first began appearing on Audi exclusive models during the B7 Audi RS 4 era. Since that time, it’s been a quasi regular standard offering on RS and R8 models from Audi Sport GmbH, and also a popular go-to for Audi exclusive customers.
Inside, the cockpit of this RS e-tron GT performance gets even more special treatment, including Fine Nappa Leather in black and Diamond Silver. Red accents give it further individualization. See the original Facebook post embedded here, plus a gallery of the car below that.
In the mid-2000s, there quite simply was not a more iconic shape than Audi’s R8, and to help market, Audi pulled an all-out product placement blitz. Iron Man drove one. Will Smith drove a derivative in I, Robot. Justin Timberlake impressed Cameron Diaz with his in Bad Teacher.
This example (VIN: WUATNAFG6BN001428) finished in Audi exclusive Ipanema Brown (Y8Y) over chestnut leather (also exclusive but unconfirmed) could be easily considered a best of pre-facelift non GT spec R8. V10 engine, gated 6 speed manual, and perhaps somewhat controversially a spyder, this Audi exclusive Ipanema Brown R8 V10 spyder checks all the right boxes.
Certain to be a future classic and a decent near-term investment, this Audi R8 V10 spyder is currently available at Porsche Barrington for $134,991. Get more details about this Tailored Driver, here.
While we’d love to think that everyone is as fascinated by the world of Tailored Driver as we are, we’re also realistic. Unfortunately to some a vehicle is just inventory, the color is secondary, and in the post-COVID marketplace, effort required to move that inventory isn’t as high as was once required. Case in point is this Audi exclusive Panther Black Crystal Effect (Z9Z) RS 5 Sportback (VIN: WUAAWCF5XNA900593) at Porsche South Orlando. Hear me out.
First we’ll start with the good. Audi exclusive Panther Black Metallic is a fairly dynamic color, and we feel the selling dealer did a pretty good job of capturing the brown and purple metallic flake found within the paint that tends to pop in the Florida sun. Second, while there are few images, they’re fairly clear, certainly in focus, and set an expectation that leaves us wanting more.
But sadly this Tailored Driver has not been detailed or prepared (a license plate is visible), the images are fairly low resolution, and the color, while called out as an exclusive hue, is spelled completely wrong. Now none of these are mortal sins, but for something that is marketed at $67,499 at time of writing and likely a one-of-few ever made at a highline dealer with a photo booth, we’d love to see a bit more effort put into the listing.
Regardless, this Audi exclusive Panther Black RS 5 Sportback represents a great point of entry into the world of Tailored Driver, that we’d happily park in our driveway. Learn more about this Tailored Driver, here.
An Audi RS6 in Audi exclusive Goodwood Green Pearl Effect (goodwoodgrün; pearl effect UNI; Z6X; Audi) over Cognac Brown leather may not be the most unique build undertaken by Ingolstadt, but things like this are generally popular for a very good reason. Understated, practical, and classy are all perfectly apt descriptions of this Tailored Driver.
The Audi exclusive Goodwood Green RS6 you see here (VIN: WUA1CBF28PN906185) was originally sold by Audi Tulsa, and has covered approximately 11,000 drama-free miles. Apart from the occasional pops and bangs from the exhaust, this RS6 is sure to fly well under the radar. But with nearly 600 horsepower on tap, it’s more than able to put just about anything (or any one) in their place should your right foot need a stretch.
At a Buy It Now price of $139,950, it does beg the question though- for the extra $5,000, would you opt to Tailor your own? Let us know in the comments below.
Find the full eBay Motors listing for this Audi exclusive Goodwood Green RS6, here.
