When ordered new back in 2005, the individual who ordered this Tailored Driver couldn’t have fathomed just how special their creation would be. In just a few years the 997 Turbo S would debut sporting a mandatory transmission that had yet to be discussed publicly, and still struggles for respect in certain circles to this day. The purple renaissance was also difficult to foresee while making sure your TiVo was set to record The Colbert Report’s premiere episode.
Despite those significant headwinds, this last-of-breed Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet (VIN: WP0CB299X5S675239) is exactly as you may have spec’d had you known what was to come- Paint to Sample Viola Metallic, a 6 speed manual transmission, and optional wheels more commonly seen on the 996 GT3. And covering just under 20,000 miles since new, it’s been moved enough to keep fluids moving, but sparingly enough to be a near time capsule.
Offered by frequent Tailored Driver flyers Gran Prix Motors in Portland, Oregon for $129,900 at time of writing, this Paint to Sample 911 Turbo S Cabriolet is a great opportunity for the investor who isn’t afraid of the 996 stigma.
See the full listing for this Tailored Driver, here.
McLaren’s MSO division makes it’s impact by doing just about whatever their clients demand. Multiple colors, gradients, and even full liveries are all well within scope, admittedly to differing levels of success. In my opinion, this is one big swing that really paid off.
When I think McLaren, I think muted exterior and a wild-ass contrasting interior. In today’s example, MSO went full purple-haze by pairing MSO Bespoke Purple leather with the relatively tame Onyx Black. Although Onyx does have a fairly prominent metallic flake, you’d be forgiven if you never noticed.
Is this insane? Perhaps, but if the above is the litmus, we’d happily be certified.
This Tailored Driver (VIN: SBM14FCA6NW006381) is currently available in Bonita Springs, FL at Gulf Coast Motorworks having covered just under 3,000 miles since it left Woking. It could be yours for an at time of writing $309,995.
This week on Singer’s social media channels, the California-based re-imagineer of Porsche 911s shared photos of the Austin Commission. The car is one of their so-called Classic builds and it’s painted “Aubergine” that appears to be one in the same as the classic dark purple hue more common on Porsches of the late 1960s and 1970s.
Singer shares that, in addition to paint-to-sample Aubergine, the owner also specified electrically adjustable touring seats trimmed in Platero and featuring an asymmetric leather weave design. To our eye, their off-center striping seems to hark the striped seats of the 991.2 GT3 interior, though in a distinctly more classic Singer way.
Check out more on the Austin Commission plus the social media post with these photos HERE.
Back in 2016, the purple color offered in the aptly named Mercedes-AMG G 63 Crazy Color Edition was Galactic Beam(galacticbeam; metallic UNI; 171; Mercedes-Benz). It was one of five very distinct hues that were made available on Mercedes’ then-new W463 G-Wagen. Now, we’ve found one (VIN# WDCYC7DF6GX254809) over at Ryan Friedman Motor Cars in Glen Cove, NY.
Check out the attached photos and you’ll glean what’s already been known about Galactic Beam. It’s a very special purple that shifts to different hues when the light hits it at various angles. It morphs from an intense purple, to pink, to even orange or bronze.
Other colors in the Crazy Color Edition included Solar Beam (yellow), Alien Green, Tomato Red and Sunset Beam (orange). However, it was Galactic Beam that was the most expensive to build and thus to order.
One Galactic Beam specimen of the G 63 Crazy Color Edition is now available at Ryan Friedman Motor Cars. As of this writing, it’s reportedly logged 32,918 miles. So, if you’re searching for a very unique G-Wagen, or perhaps just need to see this color in person, check it out at their showroom in New York HERE.
The headquarters of Audi’s in-house tailor Audi exclusive is effectively the Audi Forum Neckarsulm. On the second floor of the brand’s customer welcome center at their second largest corporate manufacturing facility is a showroom featuring some seriously creative builds. As a result, these sorts of cars tend to be highlighted by Audi Deutschland’s Facebook presence, cars like this RS 7 Sportback performance painted in Velvet Violet Pearl Effect (samtviolettperleffekt; pearl effect UNI; 092 QB7; Audi).
Also known as “Velvet Purple” this hue is a popular choice amongst those seeking Audi exclusive paint in order to make their car a little more unique. That it’s on Audi exclusive’s main palette also means it’s more affordable than say painting the car the same purple hue as your yacht or alma mater.
In this case, the car in question also has some unique interior details. These include an individually specced combination of black and diamond silver leather and stitching.
Check out the original post from Audi Deutschland on Facebook HERE.
SUMMARY: One of the most popular purple paint codes from Audi exclusive must certainly be Merlin Purple Pearl Effect (merlin purple; pearl effect; 4B / LZ3W / Z3W; Audi). Though it’s rarely ever been offered as a standard color, its presence amongst Audi exclusive cars in the market is relatively common thanks to the great level of appreciation it holds over fans of the four ring brand.
INSTAGRAM REFERENCE: Below is a gallery of several Audi cars painted in Merlin Purple and posted to Instagram by some of our favorite accounts.
First Batur coupé development car starts trials across Europe
Extensive whole vehicle development program includes 120 individual tests over a 58 week period
100+ weeks of powertrain development already completed, delivering the most powerful Bentley to date
Batur includes more than 800 unique parts not including customer options for materials and finishes
Vibrant specification for Batur Car #0 using “Purple Sector”
Batur’s advanced materials and construction look towards Bentley’s sustainable future
[source: Bentley]
Crewe, England – The Bentley Batur has begun real-world road trials across Europe. Following its debut at Monterey Car Week in August 2022 and attendance at numerous events for Bentley Customers, global media and the public, two development Baturs are now starting a rigorous programme of tests to ensure the highest standards of vehicle performance and quality. The limited series of just 18 examples are due to begin deliveries mid-2023 after completion and sign-off of an extensive engineering program.
The validation activities include durability for both the engine and whole vehicle, environmental compatibility & sunlight simulation, high speed stability, aerodynamics, noise & vibration, and driving dynamics. More than 120 individual tests in all cover everything from the quality of the surface finish of the gold “organ stop” ventilation controls to the new W12 engine hardware and software. Over 58 weeks of vehicle validation have been scheduled across the two pre-series cars, supplementing 100+ weeks of vehicle development already completed to validate the increased engine power, making the Batur the most powerful Bentley in history with at least 740 PS.
The first activity for one of the development Batur’s – Car #0 – is an extensive 2,500 kilometre drive across Europe to simulate real world conditions. The route leaves Germany and travels through Italy, France and Spain before high speed testing work is undertaken at proving grounds.
Paul Williams, Chief Technical Officer for Mulliner, comments:
“At the start of the project it was clear that this car had to be the ultimate GT and so every element from the exterior design, engine power and hand-crafted interior has been created without compromise.
“There are a number of unique features that bring new challenges. For example, the exterior headlamps are very compact LED units and made to our styling teams challenging proportions, which transforms the exterior appearance of the car but are complex to produce. We’re also working with the most powerful development of the W12 in its 20-year history, which brings an enormous validation programme.
“Even small details such as the angle of the diamond in the front grille representing the cylinder angle in the W12 engine have had to be considered. And even though there will only be 18 Baturs produced, the level of quality has to be identical to every one of the 15,000 cars Bentley is currently producing each year.”
At the proving grounds, Batur Car #0 will begin seven weeks of durability work on handling tracks, mixed road conditions, high speed testing and abusive surface conditions. During all of these activities data and feedback are collated ensuring the technical targets are being met.
When the proving ground work is complete, another 7,500 kilometres of real world driving will be undertaken before environmental testing commences. In just under four weeks the car will endure 600 hours of solar loading – equivalent to five years in an Arizona desert. This is particularly important for the new sustainable materials used in the exterior components, as an alternative to carbon fibre.
By the time the first customer deliveries begin, over 810 unique parts will have completed 160 weeks of testing and development, delivering the ultimate coachbuilt grand tourer.
The Pinnacle W12 Grand Tourer
The Batur will also be the most powerful Bentley yet, with a 729+ Bhp (740+ PS) version of the iconic, hand-assembled 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine that has metaphorically and literally powered Bentley’s success for the last two decades.
Over 100+ weeks of powertrain development have already been completed to confirm the new air intake system, modified turbochargers, revised intercoolers and new calibrations for the engine gearbox and electronic stability control for the pinnacle W12.
As the engine enters its twilight years as part of Bentley’s Beyond100 transformation journey to being fully electrified, the Batur forms the first part of a celebration of the W12’s extraordinary power, torque and refinement. Engine performance will be matched to the most advanced Bentley chassis ever, with Speed-tuned air suspension, electric active anti-roll control, eLSD, four-wheel steering and torque vectoring.
Batur Car #0
All 18 customer Baturs are already reserved. Each one is being designed collaboratively with each customer, guided by Mulliner’s in-house design team.
Customers will be able to specify the colour and finish of practically every surface of the Batur, to create a car as individual as they are. From the main exterior paint to the surface finish of the air vents, and literally everything in between, each customer will specify even the tiniest of details.
The engineering development car – Batur Car #0 – has had the same level of attention to detail as a customer’s own specification. The exterior paintwork is a bespoke colour – Purple Sector – that provides a deep vibrant colour across the curvaceous surfaces. The bodywork is underscored by front splitters, side skirts and rear diffuser in a high gloss natural fibre finish.
The front of the car features a grille of exceptional art – with the main matrix finished in Gloss Dark Titanium, accented with contrast chevrons in a horizontal ombré pattern that flows from Purple Sector in the centre and gradually darken to the sides to Black Crystal. The “endless bonnet” line is finished in Satin Titanium paint, as are the 22” wheels – with the spokes in Gloss and Satin Black Crystal to match the grille.
One small addition customers will not receive that can be seen on Batur Car #0 are the small white arrowheads found at the edges of the body panels. These markers help to provide feedback on panel movement and any form of relaxation whilst the car is undertaking the durability testing.
Looking To The Future Of Coachbuilding
The Mulliner Bacalar was the first coachbuilt project in recent years which gave significant insight into Bentley’s customers and customer choice. For Batur an even greater selection of options have been developed, not only including colours, materials and finishes, but also new technology such as the Mulliner by Naim Audio system. This takes the Naim Audio system from the Continental GT and transforms it with 20 new Focal speakers, exclusively configured for Batur and custom tuned into a truly immersive class-leading Audio experience.
The design team have given the Batur a unique character with a combination of high end materials and finishes. This is a significant stepping stone towards sustainable material and construction methods, from Additive Manufactured Gold to sustainable hide and natural fibre veneers.
Using advanced manufacturing techniques it is possible for tooling investment to be kept to a minimum which drives lower material and energy usage in the manufacturing processes. Pending successful testing, Mulliner also plan to use natural fibres as an alternative to carbon fibre is some areas of the car. This is a significant reduction in carbon required to produce the materials in these parts.
Sustainability plays a key role in the Batur to help drive the development of sustainable features for future generations of coachbuilt Bentley’s, using Mulliner’s coachbuilding experience as the platform for innovation in line with Bentley’s sustainability goals.
Unique to the US market and limited to 30 units, the R8 Panther edition features unique trim details including 20” milled wheels in matte black with red trim
First units available in the R8 RWD model line; all R8 Panther editions are treated with Audi exclusive Panther Black crystal effect paint and a full Audi exclusive interior
R8 Panther edition will be available at select dealers this month
[source: Audi of America]
HERNDON, Va., Dec. 2, 2020 – Just in time for the holiday season, Audi of America announces the 2021 R8 Panther edition. Limited to just 30 coupes, the R8 Panther edition models are the first available units in the R8 rear-wheel-drive model line and feature exclusive interior and exterior design elements.
Unique design cues
With an Audi exclusive paint color, distinctive interior details, and carbon exterior accents, the R8 Panther edition makes its unique character clear.
Every R8 Panther edition will come standard equipped with the following special content:
Audi exclusive Panther Black crystal effect paint with carbon exterior mirror housings
20” 5-double-spoke-dynamic design wheels, milled cut, finished in matte black with red trim, with summer performance tires
Audi exclusive full leather black interior with Crimson red stitching
Racing shell seats in Crimson red fine Nappa leather with power height and manual fore/aft seat adjustment
Sport exhaust system which amplifies the full bodied sound of the V10 engine and can be adjusted using the dedicated satellite button on the steering wheel or via the Audi drive select setting
Alcantara® covered gear selector and parcel shelf
Diamond stitched Alcantara® headliner
Audi exclusive steering wheel in leather/Alcantara® with crimson red 12 o’clock marker with four satellite buttons – engine Start/Stop, Audi drive select, Performance Mode selector, and Sport exhaust.
Audi exclusive R8 embroidered floor mats with Crimson red leather edging
Black Audi rings and badges
Carbon fiber exterior mirror housings
Additional standard features include:
LED headlights and LED taillights with dynamic turn signals
Carbon exterior package adds carbon fiber to the engine compartment and carbon sigma sideblades and carbon interior package adds carbon fiber high-gloss surrounds for both the virtual cockpit and the air vents, as well as the center console
Audi virtual cockpit, Audi smartphone interface, Audi phone box (requires compatible smart device) with signal booster, and MMI navigation plus
Bang & Olufsen® sound system featuring 13 speakers and 550 watts
Illuminated door sill inlays
Specially tuned chassis allows for rear-wheel drive application
The R8 Panther edition features a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter FSI V10 engine that produces 532 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, and sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds to achieve a top track speed of 201 mph.
The first available units in the R8 RWD model line, the chassis of the R8 Panther edition has been specifically adapted for rear-wheel drive, including using solid rear axles as opposed to hollow, a stiffer front anti-roll bar, and an increase in rear negative camber. The electromechanical power steering – free of torque steer – enables precise handling and driver feedback. For a heightened driving experience, the driver can choose “dynamic” mode in the standard Audi drive select and set the Stabilization Control ESC to “sport.”
The R8 Panther edition joins the 2019 RS 5 Panther edition, which was also limited to just 100 available units and featured the same Audi exclusive Panther Black crystal effect paint and red stitched interior with Alcantara® accents. The 2021 R8 Panther edition will be available in select dealerships this month with an MSRP of $183,300.
Price excludes $1,495 destination charge, $1,700 gas guzzler tax, sales taxes, title, options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.
For more information, visit www.media.audiusa.com
ABOUT AUDI OF AMERICA
Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands, delivering about 1.845 million vehicles globally in 2019. In the U.S., Audi of America sold just over 224,000 vehicles in 2019 and launched the brand’s first fully electric vehicle, the Audi e-tron – one of four fully electric models coming to the U.S. market in the next two years. Globally, the brand aims to be CO2 neutral by 2050. Visit audiusa.com or media.audiusa.com for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.
This information and any vehicle specifications are preliminary and subject to change.
Features and technical data apply to models offered in the USA. They may differ in other countries.
Prices exclude $1,495 destination charge, $1,700 gas guzzler tax, sales taxes, title, options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.
Always pay careful attention to the road, and do not drive while distracted.
Top track speed electronically limited in U.S. Always obey all speed and traffic laws.
MMI Navigation plus depends on signals from the worldwide Global Positioning Satellite network. The vehicle’s electrical system, and existing wireless and satellite technologies, must be available and operating properly for the system to function. The system is designed to provide you with suggested routes in locating addresses, destination and other points of interest. Changes in street names, construction zones, traffic flow, points of interest and other road system changes are beyond the control of Audi of America, Inc. Complete detailed mapping of lanes, roads, streets, toll roads, highways, etc., is not possible, therefore you may encounter discrepancies between the mapping and your actual location. Please rely on your individual judgment in determining whether or not to follow a suggested MMI Navigation plus.
Summer Performance 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.
