Always nice to find something a bit off-menu at daily special pricing isn’t it? Currently on offer at West Chester, Pennsylvania’s Sky Motor Cars, this Audi exclusive Corsa Red SQ5 (VIN: WA1B4AFY7M2055565) has covered just over 11,000 miles since new, yet is priced similarly to your run of the mill Grey, Black and White versions. With an asking price of $44,980, this might just be the Tailored Driver you’ve been looking for.
The combination of Corsa Red with Black Optic package is no doubt a stunner, although our more heavy footed fans may need to exercise some restraint. The bright shade could also prove to be a VIP invite to meet and greet your local traffic patrol. Moving past the exterior hue, this SQ5 is all business on the inside with Black leather and deviated white stitching throughout. We wouldn’t kick it out of bed.
It’s not all rosy, however- this SQ5 does have a minor on the CarFax. If that’s a deal breaker, no sweat. But we do think this one might be worth looking the other way. Get all the details about this Tailored Driver, here.
The special limited edition Audi RS 6 Avant GT is beginning to land in certain markets, which means we’re also getting our first good look at real world photos. In this case, it’s the UK market specification built in Arkona White with Heritage stripes and graphics provided in this set of PR photos from Audi UK.
One of the things we like to analyze about galleries such as this one is the detail work that maybe wasn’t revealed in the initial run of launch photos. For instance, we can see inner layers of carbon fiber within the vents aft the front wheels on the carbon front fenders, or the exposed carbon fiber on the all-carbon hood.
Though right hand drive, this is the same specification we’re expecting in the USA save the optional shell sport seats that tragically haven’t been federalized.
We’ve gone ahead and published the whole set. Enjoy.
Today we’re excited to bring you the first of what we hope to be many for Tailored Driver– fan submitted content. Kaleb, the owner of this Audi exclusive Sprint Blue (sprintblau; pearl UNI; LZ5F / 5N; Audi) RS 5 Cabriolet, reached out shortly before his Cars and Bids listing went live, and we were happy to hear from him. Not only a fantastic, incredibly high sticker ($94k!) Tailored Driver, but also a truly great enthusiast’s car to boot.
The B8.5 Audi RS 5 Cabriolet is already a rare car. If production numbers we’ve found over on Audiworld.com are accurate, only 769 U.S. market Cabriolets were produced (versus 2747 Coupes) between MY2013 and MY2015. And while this does sound consistent with what we’ve heard in the past, it’s the note of Audi exclusive painted examples that make us think their count may be missing at least some color data as they list no “individual” colors in MY2013 or M&2014 (like this car), though do list 25 “Exclusive” colors in MY2015. No doubt Audi might provide more specific details on the Audi exclusive mix, or if this car is one of multiple or one of one as it sits in its Sprint Blue on black leather color way.
What is Sprint Blue? The color appears to have debuted on the B7-generation Audi S4. Having produced Nogaro Blue from the earliest RS2 production (as RS Blue) and through B5 and B6, it seems the brand was looking for a new bold blue paint code to freshen up that end of the palette spectrum. Sprint Blue Pearl was that blue, though favors more to the green/cyan side of the blue spectrum as compared to the more purple/magenta oriented Nogaro Blue.
In period, Sprint Blue was a popular factory color choice and is seen regularly on the B7 S4, B7 RS 4 and early B8 S and RS models. By the time the B8 received its “B8.5” facelift like this car though, Sprint had been replaced with Audi’s Sepang Blue that is a bit lighter and with less green. So, when cars like this RS 5 were produced, Sprint Blue had already gone. Likely the person who chose this specification fell in love with the color and kept it going with this special order. And it’s hard to argue. The car looks fantastic.
Get all the details and follow along on Cars and Bids as the auction for this Tailored Driver (VIN: WUAC6AFH5EN900954) will close in just two days.
With Audi having most unfortunately ended production on all of its coupe, the TT, R8 and now A4 and all their variants now cut from the lineups, the brand is getting a bit short on cars that represent in-your-face passion over sensible upright people movers. We’d wager the Avant embodies some place in between – sensible yet passion-inspiring when built to the right specification… like say… an RS 6 performance in an Audi exclusive color.
What you see here is a mix of public relations photos dropped by Audi in Germany of the current RS 6 performance model, but here painted in Nimbus Grey (nimbusgrau; pearlescent UNI; Z7X; Audi exclusive), a paint that is a throwback to the earliest days of the TT, and has paired that with wheels in neodym gold finish. Those wheels reveal a new facet to the decades old and familiar Nimbus Grey Pearl paint that we really appreciate.
Back in Audi Sport’s Le Mans era, factory drivers would get their choice of company car and virtually all of them chose the RS 6 Avant. Even back then with the R8, TT RS or RS 5 to distract them, most preferred the have-it-all mentality of an RS 6 Avant. Several would order Audi exclusive colors like Lucas di Grassi who’d ordered Vegas Yellow as a hat tip to his Brazilian Heritage. However, that year, we most appreciated Andrea Lotterer’s choice – Nimbus Grey Pearl. That would have been the full previous generation RS 6 (C7), so we have to credit Andrea for having the idea to pair a classic TT color with the RS 6 Avant. We’ll take it though, and we’d encourage anyone ordering a new RS 6 Avant to consider doing the same.
There’ve been specially painted Audi models probably since there’s been an Audi brand, but the arrival of Audi exclusive as a factory tailor service and resulting availability in the market of these unique specification cars only really dates back to the 1990s. It’s rare that we actually find cars from this period, so when we do we tend to celebrate it. When we find one that’s a truly collectible or sought after specification, well we go weak in the knees.
Given all of that, you probably wouldn’t be surprised to hear our jaws hit the floor when this listing was shared around the Tailored Driver team group chat. The B5 S4 holds a special place in enthusiasts’ heart, much less a well preserved manual transmission Avant. Now throw in Merlin Purple Pearl (merlin purple; pearl effect; 4B / LZ3W / Z3W; Audi) paint paired with blue Alcantara segmentation on its black leather interior and we’d argue it elevates a very well-preserved survivor to a pretty strong case for collector status.
On the downside, this car is located in Germany. On the upside, it was first registered in 1998 so a relatively easy import into the USA via contract services from the likes of Orchid Euro. That it’s European does suggest a few more complexities for acquisition, but its EU specification production also means it’s got EU specification options like that Audi exclusive paint or optional Recaro sport seats that were standard in the B5 RS 4 and we didn’t get in the U.S.A. until the B6 era.
Mileage is in kilometers, so it’s worth noting that 234,000 km equates to 145,000 miles. And while that’s not museum piece mileage, it is exceedingly low for this age of car. That the Avant looks largely unmodified also makes a strong case for its collectability.
So, is it worth buying and importing? We’d say yes. We’d also say that you better hurry, because you’re probably not the only people dropping the car’s current owner a message upon seeing these photos. We suspect you’ll be competing with many others to make a deal happen… maybe including us.
Though the updated RS e-tron GT is a fully forward-facing modern EV, the paint chosen for these launch photos of Audi’s updated electric autobahn stormer is a bit of a throwback. You see, Audi’s Nimbus Grey Pearl (nimbusgrau; pearlescent UNI; Z7X; Audi exclusive) first debuted back in 1995.
It’s subtle color to be sure, a medium grey with an equally low-key pearl undertone that won’t sear out eyes or cause jaws to drop at the local Cars & Coffee, but it is handsome, teutonic and will draw an nod of appreciation from knowing Audi aficionados.
So, when Audi chose to paint a new RS e-tron GT in this color, many may have been hard pressed to recognize a difference from the ubiquitous Daytona Grey already offered on the pre-facelift model. However, there is a difference and we certainly appreciate it both for its most excellent appearance and its draw to Audi’s rich color heritage.
Audi released video of this car that we’ve also added to our YouTube channel. We’ll embed both that video and the photos below.
SUMMARY: Might Nogaro Blue (nogaroblau; pearl effect UNI; Z5M; Audi) be the ultimate color for four rings cars wearing an RS badge? Well, we know it is pretty much the original. The color first launched as RS Blue when it first appeared on the Porsche-built and developed RS2 Avant. It would later reappear in the B5 S4, first-generation S3 and remain a favorite for S and RS applications and special editions through to today. The “RS Tribute Edition” take not the RS 6 Avant, itself a tribute to the RS2, remains one of the most sought-after of the C8 RS 6 models sold in the U.S.A.
Nogaro Blue is a pearl effect blue that seems to hat tip the pre-war national French Blue made iconic in that era when raced on the likes of the Type 33 grand prix cars. Rumor has it that Audi designers in the Simi Valley design studio sprayed out a marine blue in a request back to the factory for company car specification, which inspired the development of RS Blue.
Don’t confuse that with Porsche’s Maritime Blue, a 90s Carrera Cup color of the same era popular on the 911 Carrera RS (type 964) and 968. The timing, Porsche DNA and and their similar appearance would suggest they might be the same code by another name, but park them next to each other and you’ll see a difference.
Most of the time, Audi exclusive orders are “sold orders”, meaning they’ve got an eager buyer waiting on them who carefully chose their specification. Sometimes that buyer is unable to take delivery, and sometimes these tailored cars get ordered for inventory. We can’t say we know the back story on this RS 6 Avant performance (VIN: WUA1DBF21RN905489) in stock at Audi Englewood in Englewood, NJ.
How do we know? Audi Englewood’s Andrew DeTerlizzi posted the car in the Audi Exclusive Classifieds / Listing Spotters (USA) user group on Facebook. We could see the car along with actual photos of the car on Audi Englewood’s website (HERE), but until Andrew posted it we weren’t sure of the exact color of purple. Now, thanks to him, we can confirm it’s Merlin Purple (merlin purple; pearl effect; 4B / LZ3W / Z3W; Audi). Thanks to Andrew for posting it in the group (a regular haunt of ours), and his confirming the final color.
Here’s what we know about the car. It’s an RS 6 performance (basically all MY2024 RS 6s short of the GT are), and features Black Optic Package, Executive Package, and Audi Guard Protection Kit. It’s listed with an MSRP of $151,355. We have not contacted the dealer to verify if any dealer markup is involved.
At the time of the Audi RS2 Avant built by Porsche for the brand of the four rings, Audi exclusive wasn’t really a fully formed service yet and custom paint, while it occurred, was few and far between. Fortunately, Audi did offer plenty of color options despite the rarity of the Porsche-built Avant, and Ruby Red (rubinrot; pearl effect; X6; Audi) was one of those colors.
Most enthusiasts, even in North America where the car was never sold from new, are familiar with the RS2 and likely have seen it in more common colors like RS Blue Pearl Effect (M8, now Nogaro Blue), Laser Red (H1), Polar Silver (D1), Ragusa Metallic green (Y7).
Eleven paint colors were offered in all, and it’s probably surprising that Ruby Red (a.k.a. Rubinrot) wasn’t more popular. It’s not far from Porsche’s Arena Red, another dark metallic red from the 964 and 993 era made famous in the iconic “Kills Bugs Fast” print advertisement.
Despite the Porsche association and the popularity of Arena Red, not many RS2s were ordered in Ruby Red. So, when one ops up on the internet in what looks like a private party sale (seen here on Autoscout.de) we think it’s worth calling out.
Notably, this car has reportedly logged 119,000 km (73,943) miles, which appears to be well below the mileage we typically see on RS2 Avants. It also appears to be largely stock, another rare occurrence in the used RS2 market. For collectors, this one would be notable in any color due to these factors.
Notably, it does appear to show some wear on the driver’s seat grey Alcantara surface. The listing (translated in full below) also indicates a respray by the car’s original owner in Germany. All-in-all though, that’s not much… so long as the notoriously low resolution photos typical on European mass car sale sites like Autoscout are accurate.
The full listing with translation by Apple can be seen below:
In the rare original color ruby red *Repainting would be done at the previous owner in De *Grey/Wise Alcantara Equipment.( In this color / equipment combination there should only be 4 pieces) *with Austrian individual approval year 2020, DE first delivery *Engine, chassis, brakes ……. Series, no tuning!
Selling for time reasons because I also ride a motorcycle! It’s too bad that it usually just stands, in the last 4 years I haven’t driven 1000 kilometers with it! Only recently (2024) a large service would be carried out such as B. timing belt change, engine oil + filter etc…. with invoice.
First contact only possible by mail and if you are seriously interested you can leave me your phone number! I will then contact you personally by phone or Whatsapp. After contacting us, even more photos and a tour video can be sent via WhatsApp. Will only be given to real lovers / connoisseurs or collectors who know their way around and appreciate a vehicle!
Preferred sale in Germany, vehicle should remain in Austria if possible. Always remember, the vehicle is already 30 years old (oldtimer) and of course has normal signs of use.
Please only contact us if you are seriously interested and have a suitable financial background. Possible exchange as a down payment if it is an everyday car such as an Audi A1/S1 or A3, from year of construction 2013 with a maximum of 150.tkm (each 2.0 liter engine: from 150hp diesel or from 190hp petrol) If you are seriously interested, simply make an offer and if it is reasonable, I will contact you at short notice. Mfg Markus
Limited to 85 units in the U.S. and finished exclusively in heritage livery based on the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO – the machine that proved the pavement-performance advantage of quattro® all-wheel drive
Quickest RS 6 Avant version to date: 0-60 in 3.2 seconds; biturbo V8 provides 621 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque netting top track speed of 190 mph
Standard carbon-ceramic brakes and dramatically increased driving dynamics via adjustable coilover suspension and optimized quattro sport differential
[source: Audi of America]
RESTON, VA – The 2025 Audi RS 6 Avant GT represents exclusivity and performance taken to its maximum. The ultimate family race dream car, the RS 6 Avant GT will be limited to 85 units in the U.S. (660 globally); each finished exclusively in a unique red/gray/black heritage livery. The bold exterior design honors – and was inspired by – the iconic Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO race car. In 1989, through its dominance on the racetrack, this legendary machine drove home the major performance advantages of quattro® all-wheel drive on pavement – whether for racing or simply everyday driving.
Simultaneously encompassing the quickest, fastest and most powerful production version of the RS 6 Avant to date, the 2025 RS 6 Avant GT can accelerate from 0-60 in 3.2 seconds, and features a top track speed of 190 mph thanks to its 4.0L TFSI® biturbo V8 producing 621 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. Massive 16.5- and14.6-inch (420/370mm F/R) carbon-ceramic brakes come standard and help keep such prodigious velocities in check. Furthermore, the driving dynamics and handling capabilities of the RS 6 Avant are extended thanks to a unique three-way adjustable coilover suspension and a quattro sport rear differential, each of which have been expressly optimized for application in the RS 6 Avant GT.
Each U.S.-bound RS 6 Avant GT is finished in Arkona White paint and features the red/gray/black racing-heritage livery and RS badging. In addition, all models receive exclusive 22” 6-arm design “Avus” wheels painted in Ibis White; a sleek “pass-through” roof-edge rear spoiler; redesigned front fascia and lower splitter, side sills and rear diffuser; and a unique carbon-fiber front fenders and hood.
Inside, the heritage inspired exterior is paired with an equally unique and expressive interior concept. Features unique to the RS 6 Avant GT include:
Supportive RS sport seats wrapped in Valcona leather with an RS 6 GT logo, featuring red and copper double stitching, and complemented by Crimson Red seatbelts
Floormats with “RS 6 GT” lettering
Dinamica® covered dashboard, center console, and upper door panels
Red and copper double stitching on the Alcantara steering wheel, sides of center console, center armrest and door armrests
All RS 6 Avant GT models are completed with a center-console badge displaying the RS 6 Avant GT logo and exclusive serialized numbering (“X / 660”) assuring the vehicle’s provenance and exclusivity as a future collectible.
Apprentice concept inspiration The idea of the Audi RS 6 Avant GT goes back to the apprentice project RS 6 GTO concept from 2020. Twelve apprentices learning to work as bodywork and vehicle construction mechanics, automotive mechanics, automotive painters, and tooling mechanics, worked on the project for six months with the support of Audi Design. They took most of their inspiration from the legendary Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO race car from 1989.
The Singleframe grille and air intakes of the RS 6 Avant GT are finished entirely in high-gloss black, which makes the car appear even lower and wider. Vertical blades in the front apron, a new intake grille, and a powerful front splitter integrated into the bumper enhance the sharpened look. For the first time, Audi Sport GmbH is not only using a fully redesigned hood but is also manufacturing it from carbon fiber. Like the hood, the fenders are made entirely of carbon fiber for the first time, integrating air outlets behind the 22-inch wheels to reduce air pressure in the wheel arch and improve brake cooling.
The side profile is defined by inserts in the side skirts, exterior mirror covers in glossy carbon and the 6-spoke wheel design made exclusively for the RS 6 Avant GT. At the rear, this special edition features black “RS 6 GT” lettering, a tailgate specially adapted to the design with a visually lowered loading edge, and a functional diffuser with a vertically centered reflector that makes the car appear even wider. The distinctive double wing “pass-through” spoiler was inspired by motorsport and taken almost 1:1 from the apprentices’ concept car. For the first time in the history of the RS 6 Avant, the roof rails have been removed for an even flatter, sportier silhouette. The roof-rail delete, ceramic brakes, and carbon-fiber components all help contribute to a roughly 40 kg (88 lb) weight reduction when compared to the RS 6 Avant performance, contributing to its 0.1-second quicker 0-60 mph time.
Powered through quattro® The prodigious output of the 4.0L biturbo TFSI® V8 is applied to the permanent quattro® all-wheel drive via the standard eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox with optimized shift times. Like the RS 6 Avant performance, the RS 6 Avant GT uses the latest version of the locking center differential. Particularly light and compact, it distributes engine power to the front and rear axles at a ratio of 40:60. If slippage occurs, more drive torque is automatically applied to the axle with better traction – up to 70 percent can flow to the front axle and up to 85 percent to the rear axle. The reworked center differential improves driving dynamics, ensures noticeably more precise cornering, and makes for less understeer at the limit.
To further distinguish the special edition from other RS models, the quattro sport differential on the rear axle has been specially tuned for the RS 6 Avant GT. The new parameters focus on greater agility and rear bias in the “dynamic” driving mode. Customers benefit from sporty, neutral, and highly precise handling.
For the first time, and only for the RS 6 Avant GT, adjustable coilover suspension comes as standard. In its standard setting, it lowers the ride height by ten millimeters compared to the RS 6 Avant and offers the appealing combination of dynamic agility and comfort. A higher spring rate, triple-adjustable dampers, and stiffer stabilizers (30 percent stiffer at the front and 80 percent at the rear) ensure less body roll, which once again significantly increases performance. The necessary tools and instructions for making individual adjustments are also included.
The high-performance 285/30 R22 Continental SportContact 7 tires ensure the necessary grip for enthusiastic driving. The tires offer consistently better roadholding under both dry and wet conditions and reduce understeer when cornering at speed, making for overall more precise handling across the entire speed range.
Small-series production Unlike the regular RS 6 Avant, the limited-edition RS 6 Avant GT is not entirely assembled on the production line in Neckarsulm. After passing through the body construction works and painting shop, the RS 6 Avant GT heads to Böllinger Höfe for final assembly, where models such as the Audi R8 was assembled, and the RS e-tron GT is currently built in small-series production. Located near Audi’s production site in Neckarsulm, this highly flexible facility is unique within the group and provides the best conditions for completing each RS 6 Avant GT build. Final assembly of each vehicle is carried out by seven experienced employees at three assembly stations set up especially for this exclusive special edition, spending an entire day on site. All GT-specific features are fitted by hand to each of the 660 RS 6 Avant GT models in the global production run. This process includes the specific fitment of the hood, fenders, rocker panels, double wing, the front and rear aprons, and the adjustable coilover suspension.
Availability and pricing The 2025 RS 6 Avant GT is limited to 85 units in the U.S. and will be available with a targeted release at the end 2024 at a base MSRP of $198,900.
ABOUT AUDI OF AMERICA At Audi of America, we believe the future is electric. By 2025, our U.S. model lineup will be at least 30 percent electrified, including fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Globally, we are committed to net CO2 neutrality by 2050. In 2023, Audi sold a record-breaking 228,550 vehicles in the U.S. Among those deliveries, Audi sold more fully electric models than ever before, achieved record Audi Sport sales, and had a record-breaking year in after sales. Learn more about who we are and how we’re working to create a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive future at audiusa.com or media.audiusa.com.
This information and any vehicle specifications are preliminary and subject to change.
Always obey local speed and traffic laws.
These tires may ride less comfortably, make more noise, and wear more quickly than other choices. To avoid tire, rim, or vehicle damage, it is important that inflation pressure is regularly checked and maintained at optimum levels. High-performance tires are designed for optimum performance and handling in warm climates and are not suitable for cold, snowy, or icy weather conditions. When driving during cold, snowy, or icy weather conditions, ensure that your vehicle is equipped with appropriate all-season or winter weather tires. Tires are supplied and warranted by their manufacturer.
Always pay careful attention to the road, and do not drive while distracted. See Owner’s Manual for further details, and important limitations.
Base MSRP pricing excludes destination, taxes, title, other options and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.
