Wanderlust

Tag: Audi

  • Market Find: Audi exclusive Java Green RS Q8 at Porsche North Houston

    Market Find: Audi exclusive Java Green RS Q8 at Porsche North Houston

    Some people say the RS Q8 is the budget Urus. Audi’s most aggressive RS take on its Q8 product line shares engine (at a lower horsepower tune) and a lot of hardware with the Lamborghini, not to mention platform, so the comparison makes sense. And though the Urus is definitely more aggressively tuned in most every way, the RS Q8 checks most of those boxes while being a bargain in comparison. It’s even more of a bargain when it’s got Audi exclusive special paint and someone else has taken the depreciation hit for the first few years. Enter this 2021 (VIN: WU1ARBF13MD023666) that’s turned up at Porsche North Houston.

    The color is Java Green, a popular go-to for Audi exclusive buyers… or maybe a popular go-to for dealers putting Audi exclusive builds into inventory. Whatever the case, we see Java Green on Audi exclusive builds with some regularity. It’s a handsome medium light metallic green that pairs well with the RS Q8, offering just enough Skittle factor without looking like it’s trying too hard.

    Inside, the car has red stitching. While red is Audi’s motorsport color and always looks handsome, pairing it with green can be a challenge unless you’re really into Christmas or you’re Italian. For this author, it’s an acquired taste, but the amount of cars I’ve seen pairing red and green together make me think maybe there are fewer of us that find it objectionable than there are who seek it out.

    Whatever your take on the green and red debate, it’s worth noting the mileage, age and price of this RS Q8. 2021 is the first year, and thus the furthest depreciated of the RS Q8 line. Even still, with just 19,754 miles on it, that’s just barely broken in and much lower than average for most cars. Pair that with the Audi exclusive paint and an internet asking price of $89,991 on their website listing HERE and we’d call that a great value.

  • Color Chart: Audi TT (Mk1) Launch Palette

    Color Chart: Audi TT (Mk1) Launch Palette

    Back in 1999, the arrival of the Audi TT was nothing short of momentous. Audi had shown concept car versions of the car, an Auto Union inspired sports coupe with clean Bauhaus design and Porsche 356-like proportions, and in five years brought it largely unchanged to production based on the Volkswagen Group’s transverse so-called A-architecture. The car very quickly garnered instant design icon and rockstar status, so bringing it to market successfully was key for Audi. It’s in that context we consider this color chart.

    What you see here are scans from one of the U.S. market launch year catalogues for the TT. Even with the catalogue, the TT creatively broke from the normal and traditional catalogue designs of the Audi brand and tried something fun, with a sketch of the front of the car on the cover and pierced with large holes where the launch color palette could be seen.

    Nowadays, there are more popular colors in the Audi exclusive range, but some of them like Nimbus Grey still make an appearance in current models. Interestingly, though perhaps the best known of colors or shades on those early Audi TT models since it was featured on the TTS concept and often paired with iconic baseball glove stitched leather seats, Nimbus Grey is not seen on this color chart.

    And, for those seeking significant yet obscure historical colors as they finalize their specification on a new car, we wanted to bring each of these to the fore.

    MY2000 launch year colors for the TT seen here include:

    Brilliant Black

    Lake Silver Metallic

    Denim Blue Pearl Effect

    Amulet Red

    Trapper Yellow

    Talisman Green Metallic

    Desert Green Pearl Effect

    Aviator Grey Pearl Effect

    Raven Black Pearl Effect

  • Color Check: UK Market Audi RS 4 Avant edition 25 years

    Color Check: UK Market Audi RS 4 Avant edition 25 years

    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.

  • Market Find: Audi exclusive Teak Brown S5 Cabriolet on Bring a Trailer

    Market Find: Audi exclusive Teak Brown S5 Cabriolet on Bring a Trailer

    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.

  • Market Find: Audi exclusive Merlin Purple SQ8

    Market Find: Audi exclusive Merlin Purple SQ8

    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.

  • Color Check: Ascari Blue and Neodym Gold Matte on New Audi RS Q8

    Color Check: Ascari Blue and Neodym Gold Matte on New Audi RS Q8

    In the context of the new and facelift RS Q8, Ascari Blue isn’t an Audi exclusive color. Nevertheless, getting a closer look at the color in the real world lighting of these new shots from Audi UK, as well as how it pairs with Neodym Gold Matte wheels from the RS Q8’s latest parts bin convinced us to run a gallery anyway.

    First, let’s consider Ascari Blue. Like some other colors and shades at Audi (looking at you Nardo Grey), Ingolstadt quietly launched the paint color as a most definitely Audi exclusive offering. Our first memory of the color was being painted on a collection of Ascari Blue RS show cars from Audi Sport GmbH at a European Auto Show. It eventually filtered into standard color palettes at first for RS cars, but most recently on many, many more – the new A5, new A6 e-tron, SQ8 and more. Like Nardo Grey, it is a fantastic color, though one that likely suffers from its own success and subsequent ubiquity. It is no longer on the more exclusive side of Audi exclusive color offerings.

    But yes, it’s still handsome. It also pairs interestingly with these new double Y-spoke 23-inch wheels finished in Nodym Gold Matte. For starters, the wheels aren’t far from the great-looking wheels seen on some of Audi’s more recent concept cars, while also seeming to harken both the brand’s 6-spoke Avus heritage, and also perhaps the split spoke look of wheels made most famous on the B7 RS 4. Whatever the inspiration, some or all of the above, the wheels look great… especially in a subtle gold matte.

    Granted, the blue and gold motif in the context of the United Kingdom does have echos of Subaru Rally’s 555 era with Colin McRae, but for a car nerd reference at that depth we’re guessing the same critic will appreciate Audi’s own first player position as early all-wheel drive proponent and world rally champion in its own right… though maybe more Mouton than McRae.

    Back to the RS Q8, we’ve added it here for color check purposes. If you like Ascari, then you probably don’t mind seeing how it pairs with gold. And if you’re interested in the new RS Q8, then you probably appreciate seeing some of the first real-world shots of the car thanks to our friends at Audi UK.

  • Audi RS 6 Avant GT in Daytona Grey and Mythos Black, Colors You Can’t Have

    Audi RS 6 Avant GT in Daytona Grey and Mythos Black, Colors You Can’t Have

    From the Grass is Always Greener department come these photos of the Audi RS 6 Avant GT released by Audi Japan. While they’re CGI renderings likely from the Audi exclusive configurator, they show the RS 6 Avant GT in Chronos Grey and Mythos Black, colors you can’t get here in America given all of ours will be built in Arkona White with heritage stripe livery in vinyl.

    According to the German market configurator, it appears that Europe will have choices between the Arkona White heritage specification, Nardo Grey or Mythos Black. According to Audi Japan, they’ll be getting just ten units with five in Mythos Black and five in Chronos Grey (although these renderings make it look more like Daytona Grey).

    For the RS 6 Avant super fans, there are a few other pieces of kit the Japanese (and Europeans) will have access to that won’t be coming to America officially. These include the optional sport shell seats and the 6-arm Avus wheels in either black matte or gloss black metallic with partial polished segmentation. The latter appears on all renderings released from Japan and may be their only wheel option.

  • Market Find: Audi exclusive Solar Orange RS 5 Coupe

    Market Find: Audi exclusive Solar Orange RS 5 Coupe

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.