What: 2024 Audi RS 6 performance Color: Audi exclusive Suzuka Grey Pearl(suzukagrau, pearl effect UNI; LY7F / M1 ; Audi) VIN: WUA1DBF28RN904811 Mileage: 5,018 miles Price at Time of this Writing: $133,700 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Benson Ford, Easley, SC Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
Unless you look closely, Suzuka Grey is virtually white. It’s also slightly on the cool side of the grey spectrum, as is Glacier White Metallic from the standard palette of the RS 6 Avant. So, when a 5K mile RS 6 Avant pops up at a Ford dealership, you’d forgive them for mislabeling the car. We found this car auto-listed (probably due to vIN) as Audi exclusive paint on a major listing site, and followed it through to the dealer site to find more information. While there, we found its listings where it’s mislableled as Glacier White while also listing its VIN. Since we suspected it was Suzuka Grey, we ran the VING and found it confirmed it is indeed Suzuka Grey.
As Audi exclusive colors go, Suzuka is a subtle one. Rather than an eye-searing attention getter, it’s more of an if-you-know-you-know shade that dates back to the B7 RS 4 Avant. Since that time, it’s been present in other RS models like the B8 RS 5 and Mk2 TT RS.
From the looks of it, the dealer is pricing it like pretty competitively for its age and mileage of RS 6 performance, making it an excellent if-you-know-you-know opportunity for buyers. If you’re interested, go see it in person as these photos are low-resolution and not great.
So far as we can tell, Suzuka Grey Pearl Effect (SuzukaGrau; pearl effect; LY7F / M1 ; Audi) first started appearing on quattro GmbH company cars at the Audi factory facilities in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm during the early B7 RS 4 days. Typically paired with black optics, it’s been mostly an RS model only offering here and there over the years, most recently being a model year color palette offering on the RS e-tron GT.
Likely named for the Suzuka Circuit, a 3.6-mile road course located in Suzuka City, Mia Prefecture Japan. The track is home to F1’s Japanese Grand Prix amongst other races, and it’s operated by Honda Mobilityland, a subsidiary of Honda Motor Company.
As greys go, Suzuka Grey is so light that it is often mistaken for white. Look closely though and you’ll find it’s slightly darker than white and slightly cooler than a desaturated grey of equivalent brightness. In as much, it’s a subtle shade that leaves most guessing thanks to a strong if-you-know-you-know quotient. Its strong association with Audi RS cars also gives it an extra level of performance cred… at least in Audi circles.
What: 2017 Audi R8 V10 plus Color: Audi exclusive Nimbus Grey(Pearl Effect; LZ7X; Audi) VIN: WUAKBAFX8H7903497 Mileage: 19,527 miles Price at Time of this Writing: $192,500 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Muscle Motors, Reno, Nevada Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
Audi exclusive Nimbus Grey, a supercharged V10 nestled behind your ear, and carbon bits sprinkled throughout… what’s not to love? This R8 has clearly been enjoyed based on mileage and mods, both of which we’re happy to see. Personally, we’re intrigued by the Audi Sport Performance Parts rear spoiler, QuickSilver exhaust, and the VF Supercharger kit which raises total output to a claimed 830hp and 610tq. Rather than blabber on, we’ll just let the selling dealer’s video do the talking.
What: 1994 Ferrari 348 Spider Color: “Canna di Fucile” Metallic (cannadifucilemetallic; metallic UNI; 703/C; Ferrari) VIN: ZFFRG43A3R0098406 Mileage: 17,800 Price at Time of this Writing: $110,000 – $140,000 estimate CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: The Amelia Auction 2025 by Broad Arrow, Amelia Island, FL Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
One of the great things about a tailored build is the ability to move away from the predictable. On the spectrum of Ferrari, red over tan is ubiquitous, but grey over blue… now that’s something pretty unique. Such is the case with this ’94 348 Spider that’s been entered into the upcoming 2025 Broad Arrow auction held during The Amelia concours week in Florida.
The name of the color is Canna di Fucile Metallic, a medium grey metallic that might look a bit drab with simple black interior, but throw in some deep Blue Connolly leather with matching blue top and it’s a whole new ballgame.
What: 2018 BMW M3 Competition Color: BMW Individual Nardo Grey (nardograu; non-metallic UNI; P6K; LY7C/T3; Audi) VIN: WBS8M9C52J5J78816 Mileage: 76,557 Price at Time of this Writing: $46,000 CarFax: Link Window Sticker: Pictured below Location: Louisville, KY Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
Nardo Grey had a moment in the early to mid 2010s, there’s simply no denying that. After appearing on several Audi RS models, the color quickly made it’s way to other brands with Tailoring programs like BMW (shown here) and Porsche, and shortly after spawned me-too colors like Porsche’s Chalk and BMW’s Brooklyn Grey. The staff of Tailored Driver loves a good cross-brand build, and this M3 is an incredibly well executed example. Aforementioned Nardo Grey (in BMW code P6K) is paired exquisitely with Amaro Brown extended leather, elevated by the appearance of BMW’s Competition pack seats with strategic cutouts. Sure you lose lumbar adjustment, but speed holes are just cool. We look forward to seeing additional images once this Tailored Driver is cleaned up, but at this price, it just might not last that long.
What: 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Color: Paint to Sample Grey Black (schwarzgrau; non-metallic UNI; 7A1; Porsche) VIN: WP0AH2A72JL145349 Mileage: 51,495 Price at Time of this Writing: $85,975 CarFax:Link iPacket: Link Location: Newark, DE Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
Chosen as the launch color for their instant classic 997.2 GT3 RS, Porsche’s Grey Black exists at the crossroads of dynamic and drab. Simple enough in theory, Grey Black is impossibly deep in the right lighting, trending much lighter or darker depending on conditions. We personally find this application exceptionally interesting on the range topping Turbo S E-Hybrid, due to it’s understated curb presence (minus the Acid Green painted brake calipers and E-Hybrid badging) while also packing a combined 680hp from its twin-turbo V8 gas and hybrid electric motors. Sub three second sprints to 60mph, a nearly eleven second flat quarter mile, and seating for four adults, this Tailored Driver is one hell of an all-rounder.
Unique design highlights endless possibilities of Lamborghini’s Ad Personam customization program for first Urus SE delivered globally
[source: Lamborghini]
Sant’Agata Bolognese/Miami, FL December 5, 2024 – Automobili Lamborghini proudly unveiled a special Ad Personam Urus SE[1] at a private event in Miami Beach yesterday evening, inspired by Miami’s vibrant, colorful culture. The livery of this sporty Urus SE has been elevated thanks to the artistic vision of the Lamborghini design center, Centro Stile, and the direction of Lamborghini’s Ad Personam customization team. The Urus SE, launched earlier this year in Beijing, is the brand’s first PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle) version of the best-selling Super SUV boasting an 800 CV hybrid powertrain.
The dramatic details of the Miami-inspired Urus SE, that required an additional 230 hours of painting and testing over the normal industrial process, showcase the nearly endless range of Ad Personam customization options available for customers to enhance their vehicle’s extraordinary individuality.
“With this authentic piece of art, we have created the most sophisticated livery ever seen on the Urus, to inspire our customers with graphics that underline the outstanding proportions and the iconic design of the car. We have reproduced our perfect vision of the vibrant Miami lifestyle and its diversity,” said Mitja Borkert, Design Director of Automobili Lamborghini.
The unique exterior of this Urus SE was brought to life with striking highlights of Blu Glauco (bluglauco; non-metallic UNI; 0098; Lamborghini), contrasted by a combination of greys and black, to create a livery that pays an homage to the city’s mix of culture, style and artistic flair. The front lip in Nero Noctis (neronoctis; metallic UNI; A2A2/LY9B; Lamborghini) is accented by a bright Blu Glauco detail. Bicolor mirror caps in Grigio Telesto (grigiotelestometallic; metallic UNI; Z69; Lamborghini) with a Blue Glauco pinstripe add a touch of elegance while the rear diffuser in Nero Noctis is precisely detailed with matching Blu Glauco highlights. The Urus SE’s luxurious interior features unicolor leather upholstery as well as dedicated kick plates and a dashboard that commemorates the occasion with “MIAMI” detailed on the polished carbon fiber.
In attendance for the exclusive unveiling in Miami Beach were executives including Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and CEO Stephan Winkelmann; joined by Chief Marketing and Sales Officer Federico Foschini; Design Director Mitja Borkert; Chief Technical Officer Rouven Mohr; and Automobili Lamborghini America Chief Executive Officer, Andrea Baldi.
“We are always excited to bring true innovation and artistry to Miami, especially during this moment when the city is filled with inspiring creatives, designers and artists,” remarked Winkelmann. “With demand for Lamborghini vehicles at an all-time high, I am very proud of this special Urus SE which highlights the infinite customization possibilities of our Ad Personam program.”
Guests who attended the event also had the chance to view the new Lamborghini Temerario[2] with a twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain that redefines performance, driving pleasure and comfort. The successor to the legendary Huracán[3], the Temerario has a total power output of 920 CV and can accelerate 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 2.7 seconds.
The celebration in Miami comes just as Automobili Lamborghini announced record breaking results for the first three quarters of 2024, following the introduction of three new models in just 18 months. Global vehicle deliveries are up 8.6% in 2024 at 8,411, compared to the same nine-month period in 2023. The Lamborghini model range has reached the milestone of becoming fully hybridized, providing a strong foundation upon which to usher in the future of the brand.
Automobili Lamborghini is committed to pursuing the positive projections for 2025, leveraging the growth momentum achieved in 2024. This vision is driven by the goals of the company and supported by continuous investments, focused on enhancing the products and ensuring sustained improvement.
[1] Urus SE consumption and emission values: Combined fuel consumption: 2.08 l/100 km. Combined energy consumption: 39.5 kWh/100 km. Combined CO2 emissions: 51.25 g/km. Combined CO2 emission efficiency class: B. Combined fuel consumption with low battery: 12.9 l/100 km. CO2 efficiency class with low battery: G; WLTP [2] The vehicle is not yet offered for sale and is therefore not subject to Directive 1999/94/EC. The fuel consumption and emissions data is in the type approval stage [3] Fuel consumption and emission values of all Hurácan models; Fuel consumption combined: 14,9-13.9 l/100km (WLTP); CO₂-emissions combined: 338-328 g/km (WLTP
It’s funny, there are some colors that become meteoric, becoming so popular that they become iconic and risk becoming ubiquitous. Such is the case of Audi’s Nardo Grey (nardograu; UNI; LY7C; Audi exclusive), a light grey that came on the scene as a standout in Ingolstadt’s RS car lineup.
Variations on the pastel light grey theme were a thing in the early 2000s, with the Audi TT’s Aviator Grey then Suzuka Grey, Porsche’s Sport Classic Grey then later Chalk. Nardo Grey came into the lexicon roughly in the middle of this grey cloud and seemed to strike a nerve.
Maybe it’s the nature of the general idea of battleship grey. Ian Fleming’s original James Bond 007, the one in the book and not the movies, famously first drove a Blower Bentley painted battleship grey. And though that car has never graced the silver screen, many other racing cars have including in the pre-war era that would have birthed the Blower Bentley.
By the time Nardo came on the scene on cars like the Mk2 TT RS or the B8 RS 5, what was old was new again and the shading had a certain perfect balance of light and dark that all made it very distinctive. It was so popular that it became a very regular choice in Audi exclusive tailored specifications, and even got picked up by clients from other brands. Today, it remains common in the Audi RS stock palette though we’d argue so common that it’s now not quite as special in those early Mk2 TT RS days. Nevertheless, it’s still handsome.
What: 2022 Audi RS Q8 Color: Audi exclusive Arrow Grey Pearl Effect (arrowgrau; pearl effect; LZ7W; Audi) VIN: WU1ARBF10ND009029 Mileage: 30,678 Price at Time of this Writing: $89,999 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: Pictured below Location: Englewood, NJ Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
To those in the know, the Audi RS Q8 is a budget Lamborghini Urus, and here’s one in an Audi exclusive color at about 30% of the cost. Audi exclusive Arrow Grey Pearl Effect is an interesting one, appearing quite similar to Nardo Grey, Arrow features a bit more cyan in it’s formula, and introduces a pearl effect to help it pop. Of note to Audi (and color) enthusiasts, from our research it appears to also carry the same color code as Audi’s Aviator Grey, which was most predominantly featured on the first gen TT.
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.
