What: 2018 Audi S4 Sedan Color: Audi exclusive Ara Blue Crystal Effect(arablau; metallic uni; LX5J; Audi) VIN: WAUC4AF46JA187660 Mileage: 75,508 Price: $25,900 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Evolution Imports, Bristol, PA Dealer Listing:Link
Why We Love It:
Audi’s Ara Blue Crystal Effect is the latest in a long line of truly incredible Blues to come out of Ingolstadt. This particular instance may not be the first time we’ve seen Ara on an S4, but dare we say it’s a better spec. The flat bottom steering wheel may not offer the heating element included in it’s traditionally round counterpart, but we think the trade is worth it. Less of a tradeoff is the full leather seats, whereas the prior Ara car had partial suede. Sure it may look cooler, but the feeling of sweat dripping down your back quickly negates any points earned. Ask us how we know.
What: 2024 Audi RS 6 performance Color: Confirmed Matte Paint, Unconfirmed But Believed Sonoma Green Chassis #: WUA1DBF24RN905633 Mileage: 2,555 Price: $146,900 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: See Gallery Location: Southeast Auto Showroom, Pompano Beach, FL Auction Link:Link
Why We Love It:
Factory matte paint is always something special. More expensive than your usual paint to sample shades, it demands a certain premium up front and can prove a bit more work to maintain. Nevertheless, it almost always looks spectacular, emphasizing character lines and creases in the body that often get overlooked when coated with highly reflective gloss surfaces.
More often than not, we tend to see matte finishes on neutral shades – grey, black, white. It’s rarer to see them in colors like green, and also more of a rare find from Audi exclusive unlike brands such as BMW or Mercedes that have coined mattes with brand-specific terminology such as “frozen” or “magno”. Whatever. In a world where rarer is more interesting, a matte color on an Audi exclusive build is most interesting indeed.
That’s where this RS 6 performance comes in. We run our own internal check and see (as confirmed by the Monroney or window sticker) that it’s a matte paint. What we can’t see is final confirmation on the color, though a careful perusal of the photos makes us think it is Audi’s Sonoma Green that was pretty common on the early B9 RS 5, though never offered outside of exclusive for the RS 6.
No doubt this is a handsome car, and the specification continues with factory options including Matte Carbon Package, Bang & Olufsen Advanced Audio with 3D Sound, RS Design package plus (Grey), Executive Package, Driver Assistance Package, RS Sport exhaust, Red brake Calipers and Interior Protection Kit.
Checking out the CarFax, this wagon appears to have been sold new and serviced at Audi West Palm Beach.
What: 1991 Audi S2 Coupé C5 by ABT Sportsline Color: Laser Red (laserrot; non-metallic; H1; Audi) Chassis #: N/A Mileage: 140,000 km / 86,991 miles Price: €52,900 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Kaiserclassic, Bromma, Sweden Dealer Listing:Link and Link
Why We Love It:
When Audi retired its iconic quattro in 1991, replacing it with the all-new S2 Coupé, the now loved 90s-era 2-door wasn’t exactly well received. Sure, it had an updated version of the brand’s turbocharged 20-valve 5-cylinder engine, but it was a bit heavier and… let’s face it… it was missing a certain something… a je ne sais quo as the French say.
Well, some people were pretty sure they knew. Those box flared fenders on the so-called “ur quattro” may have started as a budgetary decision since they could be stamped into the steel [1], but by the time Audi’s original quattro had been retired, they’d become the go-to element on only the coolest cars – cars like the BMW M3 E30 or the Lancia Delta Integrale. Now, here was the new S2 and it ditched that muscular look for a more efficient and aerodynamic form (as did BMW with the E36 M3 for what it’s worth).
By 1991 though, German Audi tuning haus ABT Sportsline had figured it out. They’d designed their own box flares and built just 40 examples, of which an estimated ten were turbocharged S2s. Most of the cars were delivered straight to ABT’s headquarters from Audi’s plant in Ingolstadt and were converted based on customer demand, a project managed by Christian Abt. Monaco’s Prince Albert [2] famously took delivery of a pearl white example believed to be a non-S2 Coupe quattro based on its early B3 unframed grille.
Another known example is the C5 S2 imported to the U.S.A. by Rotiform co-founder Jason Whipple. Whipple imported the car several years ago, and famously chided Hoonigan co-founder Brian Scotto with it on YouTube. That car, very similar in specification to this one including the Laser Red paint, is believed to still be in the U.S.A. and may very well be the only C5 that’s made it to America… at least that we know of.
The car you see here has always been a Swedish example. We’ll let the dealer’s description pick it up from here:
“This car, original Abt, was shipped brand new to the Abt-agent in Stockholm. It was used as a showroom and demo car for some time and thereafter sold to the sales manager, Johan Lind. It was used for daily driving a few years with good maintenance. Thereafter it was garaged for a period. In 2001 the car was sold to the Chairman of “Audi Club Sweden”, Lars Jern.
“In 2002-2004, the new owner got in contact with the famous Audi driver and engineer Anders Carlsson and his tuning-workshop, Ace Competition in Borås, Sweden. The Audi got an upgrade with the tuned 20v engine. The engine was built with the most well known parts and lots of experience. It was built to last long as the greatest legal road-car engine to an output power of 350+ hp.
“In 2017 the current owner took the Audi back to the famous Anders Carlsson, Ace Competition in Borås Sweden. His company was at this time more like an exclusive private workshop since his old business was sold. A lot of parts were changed and updated, with his expertise. Complete new kits of brakes, pumps, belts, bushings, mounts as well as coil-overs were fitted. The 5-speed gearbox was carefully overhauled. A new front windshield was installed. The original Abt wheels were restored and put back with new Michelin tires. A brand new stainless steel exhaust system including a new catalyst was tailor made by the famous Swedish stainless steel workshop tuner Ferrita AB.
“A professional paint-job was done in 2019 / 2020, original color. The last years the car has been driven only a few days per year, in between it was stored in a warm garage. Oil and filter has anyhow been changed yearly. Brake fluid is changed in 2021. During the winter 2023 the turbo charger, Borg Warner, was sent to SL-turbo in Degerfors, (Ace Competiotion partner) for a complete overhaul. The turbo got a new original Borg Warner housing. The hydraulic servopump was changed to a newly rebuilt RS2 pump bought from Autewo GmbH in Germany. This replacement work was done by certified Audi workshop at Möller Bil, Västerås
“The headlights are replaced and converted to xeon in 2020. They turn on automatically, even in daylight (the law in Sweden), but with moving the control one step upwards you could drive without headlights.”
Worth Noting:
This is one of our Euro market finds, so the usual caveats apply for our primarily North American readership. For Europe and other markets, we focus on cars older than 25 years, meaning a relatively easy import into the USA. This is often done by working with firms such as our friends at Orchid Euro, you can have the car purchased, transported to port, shipped to America and cleared through customs for clients seeking this sort of service.
What: 2025 Audi RS 6 Avant performance Color:Cumulus Blue(cumulusblau; non-metallic; LX5A / U4; Audi)) Chassis #: WUA1DBF21SN903733 Mileage: delivery Price: $167,695 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: see gallery Location: Audi Frederick, Frederick, MD Link:Link
Why We Love It:
The Audi RS 6 performance is already a compelling case, though a rare Audi exclusive color sends it over the edge. In the case of this new car inventory RS 6 from Audi Frederick in Maryland, that color is Cumulus Blue.
What’s Cumulus Blue? It’s one of those virtually white colors that we’d hesitate to call pastel only because a ubiquitous Carolina Blue (looking at you college sports team fans) or Hyundai N’s Performance Blue are both notably darker and more saturated in comparison. So, Cumulus Blue is so subtle that you’d be forgiven for mistaking it as white. Park it next to a white car though, and that’s where it becomes obvious. Cumulus Blue is like nothing else really on the road, making ownership of a car in this color an exercise at eliciting comments from people who are paying attention.
Near as we can tell, Cumulus Blue has never been a standard order book color on any Audi, though it’s’ been in the Audi exclusive color catalogue for years. This makes it known in Audi circles, but also exceptionally rare. That’s all a win in our book.
Beyond the paint paired with black interior, this particular RS 6 also has some nice options. This includes Matte Carbon Package, Executive Package and Driver Assistance Package.
What: 2025 Audi RS 7 Sportback Color: Goodwood Green (goodwoodgrünperleffekt; metallic UNI; Z6X; Audi) VIN: WUAPDBF27SN904802 Mileage: 300 miles Price: $167,995 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: See Below in Gallery Location: Audi Freehold, Freehold Township, NJ Marketplace listing:Link
Why We Love It:
We are always, and I mean always, fans of dealer salespeople getting the jump on tailored builds by posting them to enthusiasts on social media. We’ve seen it happen all the time, an enthusiast at the dealership knows what they have, grabs their own photos (see them in this story) and shares them online (see it on Audi Club North America’s Classifieds Facebook Group HERE) as Danny Alves just did.
The car in question is a very tasteful spec, 2025 Audi RS 7 Sportback performance with Audi exclusive Goodwood Green Pearl Effect paint. Inside, it’s also got Iguana Green interior stitching to round out the look. Other options include Matte Carbon Package, Executive Package and Driver Assistance Package. We’re going to give bonus points to whomever built it for going with more subtle black brake calipers over red that bestow just a bit too much of a yuletide vibe on a Goodwood Green Audi.
Thanks again to Danny Alves for sharing it with his own photos before the dealership has them live on their site. If you call Audi Freehold to inquire, check in with him since he was kind enough to share these photos. Email him at dalves@audifreehold.com or call him at 732 347 5371.
What: 1999 Audi A4 Avant 2.8 quattro (MT6) Color: Laurel Green Metallic (lorbeergrün; metallic uni; LY6R / 7N; Audi) Chassis #: Unknown Mileage: 185,664 km, 115,366 miles Price: €11,350 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Lahn Dill Automotive, Herborn, Germany Dealer listing:Link
Why We Love It:
It’s cars like this that make our staff come to blows. Why? Perhaps a better question is why not?
How does one define a “tailored driver” and thus, should a car be posted to this website? So far, we’ve focused with few exceptions on cars that are special ordered from a marque’s in-house tailoring department or others remastered by firms with a niche specialty for building consistent and commissioned reimagined automobiles.
So, what of a truly exceptional standard spec built from the factory order book? In their day (particularly days when brand order guides were vastly deep and rife with costly complexity), they were a clearly tasteful expression by a buyer who knew their way around the configurator without necessarily ringing up the tailor. Take for example this 1999 Audi A4 Avant we’ve found for sale in Germany.
We actually dug out our 1999 A4 catalogue to verify this one. Laurel Green Metallic (a.k.a. Vorbeer Metallic) was indeed a standard color in that year. In the stock color palette, it suffered from a relatively low take rate that made it somewhat rare, rarer still in North America where we don’t believe it was offered at all.
At the time, Audi had an interesting way of pre-packaging color combinations, with three grades of A4 – Advance, Ambition and Ambiente. Laurel Green was offered in Ambition and Ambiente, optionally paired in either case with Ecru (light tan) Buffalino Leather as seen in this car. This car was built to Ambition spec.
As factory specifications go, this car is a notably luxurious German build. It foregoes sporty options like a wild color or sport design steering wheel, yet focuses on a handsome color combination, luxurious cabin and large displacement engine (2.8-liter V6). For that, it offered a comfortable environment that was perfectly capable of autobahn-storming.
By 1999, Audi’s A4 had received its mid-lifecycle product improvement, also known more commonly as a facelift, which included updated door handles, lower inset foglights and other subtle upgrades. This particularly well appointed survivor also got quattro all-wheel drive, ESP, and a host of options listed below. Add that to the enthusiast-darling Avant (station wagon) body style in a rare or never-available color and you have the makings of a winner for the discerning aficionado seeking a car from this late 90s / early 2000s era.
The dealer shares that the car appears to have had two owners prior to this, with maintenance carried out regularly. The service book was maintained without gaps to 66,969 km by the Audi dealer. The original car invoice is also included and seen in photos shared.
That said, the dealer also shares that the car did have “an encounter with a bollard” that required the hood, bumper and associated parts to be replaced with original Audi parts. Beyond that, some wear and tear can be seen in photos, but surprisingly little given the age.
All things considered, a nicely appointed A4 Avant is a great way to affordably get into this space. The hotter S4 and RS 4 versions are definitely more sought after, though few will be appointed as uniquely as this A4 2.8 quattro.
Options Listed:
ABS
ESP
electric glass sliding roof with sun protection/blind
Concert
All-wheel drive
Factory-fitted navigation system in the speedometer
Xenon headlights
Headlight washer system
Roof rails chrome
Full-leather seats Ambition leather Buffalino
PDC rear
Seat heating with seat bolster heating
Leather steering wheel
Decorative inlays, walnut root wood
Armrest front and rear
Heated windscreen washer nozzles, front
Leather handbrake lever and gear knob
Servo
Tachometer
ASR
Central locking with radio
Electric windows 4x
Electric exterior mirrors
Electronic immobilizer, with anti-theft alarm system and interior monitoring
Through-loading with ski bag
Make-up mirror 2x
Airbags (head, front and sides)
Split rear seat
Original 16-inch alloy wheels
Automatic climate control
Lumbar support, electric. adjustable in front seat backrests
Outside temperature display
Cup holder
Fog lights
8 speakers (active)
Colored glazing
Rear headrests
Front seat adjustable
Spare wheel in driving tires
Three-point automatic belt for middle rear seat
Side protection strips in vehicle color
This is one of our Euro market finds, so the usual caveats apply for our primarily North American readership. For Europe and other markets, we focus on cars older than 25 years, meaning a relatively easy import into the USA. This is often done by working with firms such as our friends at Orchid Euro, you can have the car purchased, transported to port, shipped to America and cleared through customs for clients seeking this sort of service.
What: 2024 Audi RS 6 performance Color: Oak Green Metallic (oakgrünmetallic; metallic uni; 94E; Audi) Chassis: WUA1DBF29RN906101 Mileage: 6,162 km, 3,828 miles Price: $167,809 (CAN), $117,006 (US Estimated at Current Exchange) CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: South Fort Chevrolet, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada Sales listing:Link
Why We Love It:
Given the recent exchange rates, buying cars in Canada using the American dollar can be a great way to get a deal or reach beyond your budget for the right car. Also, given the typical willingness to travel an aficionado of tailored cars will be willing to travel for the right car, traveling to Canada for a special build and going through the importation process isn’t something to fret about much. Now, throw on the fact that Canada gets some options Americans don’t and that’s icing on the cake. It is with this in mind that we share with you this very low mileage RS 6 performance that’s popped up at a Chevy dealer in Alberta.
For starters, no matter what market this car is in, it’s an exceptionally tasteful specification. Audi exclusive paint, listed as Oak Green by the dealer, is a definite bonus. Worth noting, this isn’t Audi Oak Green Metallic but rather Porsche Oak Green Metallic (oakgrünmetallic; metallic uni; 265 / 22L / 60K; Porsche). In fact, it looks awfully close to a car we featured photos of a few months back HERE.
Beyond the paint, there’s a lot more to like about this car. This Albertan Ford dealer is exceptionally detailed in their listing, so here’s what we can share about the car. Based on the listing, it’s got: Audi Exclusive Oak Green Metallic Paint, Cognac w/ grey Stitching, Valcona Leather, Dynamic Package, Carbon Matte Optics Package, Matte Neodym 22 5 Y Spoke Wheels, Bang and Olufsen Advanced 3D Sound System, Leather Package, Black Dinamica Headliner, Night Vision Assistant.
Beyond that, they also list some aftermarket add-ons. These include: AWE Tuning SwitchPath Cat-back Exhaust, CETE Lowering Module, H&R 10mm/12mm Wheels Spacers, Full Body PPF by Posh Detailing, Window Tint 35% and 70% by Posh Detailing, Exoshield Front Windshield by Posh Detailing, Kamiglaze Ceramic Coating by Posh Detailing. We also see Audi Accessories roof bars and rubber mats in the photos.
So let’s get back to the Canadian spec of this car. First, it’s got the aforementioned Neobdym wheel finish, which is a slightly gold/platinum color. While offered as a stand alone option in Europe and likely in Canada too, Audi of America blocked this wheel finish after fitting them exclusively on the RS 6 performance Bronze Edition and RS 7 performance Bronze Edition. Unless you got one of those cars or imported the wheels yourself, Americans can’t get them. In our eyes, that makes this car even more desirable.
Now let’s get back to price. In more recent months, the Canadian dollar has fallen in value compared to the U.S. dollar. Other than a drop recently to about .60 cents on the U.S. dollar, it’s been tracking mainly at .70 cents to the U.S. dollar. Apply that conversion to this car’s listed price and you get an exceptionally good deal for any RS 6 performance, let alone one Audi exclusive paint, very low mileage, American unobtainium wheels, and a host of other useful equipment including PPF and ceramic coating.
Are there any caveats? Based on what we know, and we defer to experts on this, the car is certified for the North American market, so the warranty should transfer to the U.S. based on a chat with contacts who are more familiar with the process than us. There may be a process, and we’re not familiar with it so we’d suggest figuring that part out before buying if having a warranty in place is important to you. Also, even though it’s certified for North America, there is a basic importation process from Canada to the U.S.A. that may have associated costs. There’s also basic duties to consider and, beyond that, the tariff landscape that could change things depending out American politics play out. You’ll want to dig more into all of these if you’re considering this car and you’re American. Clearly, if you’re Canadian, then have at it as we assume that’s not much harder than finding the money.
Honestly, we debated not even sharing this one so we might inquire about buying it ourselves. Check it out via the link above.
What: 2023 Audi R8 V10 performance Color: Audi exclusive Suzuka Grey Pearl Effect(SuzukaGrau; pearl effect; LY7F / M1 ; Audi) Chassis: WUA4BCFX1P7900718 Mileage: 1,625 mi Price: $269,900 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Exotic Knights, Orlando, FL Sales listing:Link
Why we love it:
Generally speaking, life is cyclical and the world of Tailored Driver is no different. Like seasons, Tailored colors on the secondhand market seem to cluster and we’ll spot incredibly rare or interesting specs in twos and threes. Case in point is this Tailored Driver, a 2023 R8 V0 spyder in Audi exclusive Suzuka Grey Pearl Effect paired with exclusive Ocean Blue extended leather. Both of these options are having a moment- this being the second Ocean Blue exclusive interior we’ve seen in a week, as well as the second exclusive application of Suzuka found in the same time. Making this more compelling though, is that this Tailored Driver is a last of it’s kind as R8 production has ceased. What a fitting sendoff.
What: 2019 Audi RS 5 Color: Audi exclusive Solar Orange(Solarorange; metallic uni; LY2G; Audi) VIN: WUAPWAF59KA905682 Mileage: 41,229 miles Price: $45,991 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Palmer Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Roswell, GA Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
How quickly we find our way back to Orange. Audi exclusive Solar Orange was chosen for this RS 5, with the added bonus of Audi exclusive deviated stitching in a matching Signal Orange found in the interior. In no doubt aided by the bold choice in color, this mega-sticker Tailored Driver is currently on offer at a Stellantis dealer for the seemingly low asking price of $45,991. If we had to guess, we’d say that’s likely half off its original asking price.
The Audi Forum Neckarsulm is home base for Audi exclusive, boasting a large showroom of some of the latest and craziest capabilities of Audi’s in-house tailor. In as much, the Audi Deutschland Facebook Page is generally on the spot to share a brief gallery of the more noteworthy entries to this very special showroom. This month, it’s the latest RS e-tron GT performance with striking Azure Purple Pearl (azurepurpleperleffekt; metallic; 8Q6; Audi).
Azure Purple isn’t a common purple from Audi, not like Merlin Purple or Velvet Purple that we tend to see a lot more often. Here, it’s paired the Bicolor Audi exclusive design package interior in black and Calendula Yellow.
Opposites on the color spectrum, purple and yellow are always a striking combination. The pairing is a bold statement, and one that looks particularly good when combined with the RS e-tron GT performance’s optional forged carbon fiber trim on the exterior.
It looks like the Facebook post in question isn’t set up for embedding and sharing. We’ve added each of the photos below. Also find them at Audi Deutschland’s Facebook Page and make sure to give them a follow.
