What: 2018 Audi RS 3 Color: Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue (nogaroblau; pearl effect UNI; Z5M; Audi) VIN: Unknown Mileage: 79,655 miles Price: $62,500 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Duluth, MN Listing:Facebook Marketplace
When launched, it wasn’t hard to draw parallels between the then-new Audi RS 3 sedan and the tuner’s darling B5 generation S4. Apart from physical size, it had great aftermarket potential, solid interior quality, and was understated enough that it wouldn’t cause a scene in the lot of Whole Foods. Taking that thought one step further was the original Tailor of this RS 3, who opted for Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue paint. We think it looks incredible here, but we’d be lying if we said that was the most exciting bit of this find. That comes in the form of a LOT of modifications from well known vendors that add up to a claimed 960 horsepower at the wheels, with the right ECU map selected and octane used.
What: 2024 Audi RS 3 Color: Velvet Purple (samtviolettperleffekt; metallic UNI; LQ87; Audi) VIN: unknown Mileage: 5,267 miles Price at Time of this Writing: $69,999 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Houston, TX Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
Audi exclusive RS 3s are a bit more rare than some of the larger and more luxurious Audi RS models. We’re guessing you have more owners reaching to get into their first RS car, and maybe Audi exclusive paint is a bridge too far. For us though, rarity only makes it more desirable.
So, when we see a hot tip on a lightly used Velvet Purple RS 3 coming in hot tip by Anthony Montana from Audi West Houston posting the car to the Audi Club Classifieds group before it even lands on the dealer’s website, we wanted to make sure we pass it along.
According to Anthony’s post, the car also features Audi’s RS Technology Package, RS Sport Exhaust System, Black Optics Package and Audi Side Assist.
When Audi finally brought their RS 3 to the US, enthusiast forums were littered with posts about what color their cars would be ordered in. In speaking with a few Dealer friends at the time, this online chatter proved to be more than just posturing, as the queue for special paint was long enough to span well beyond the current model year. But since those days, Audi exclusive-painted RS 3 models are admittedly (and somewhat surprisingly) scarce.
With all that in mind, we were incredibly excited to see this 2018 Audi exclusive Cumulus Blue RS 3 (VIN: WUABWGFF5J1905196) pop up on Cars and Bids. Not just because it’s an Audi exclusive build, but also because of the color itself- Cumulus Blue (Color Code: X5A). It’s a shade we here at Tailored Driver are big fans of, and are lucky enough to have an example of in our fleet. Incredibly tough to capture in photos, it’s a bit like Porsche’s Chalk Grey with a hint of blue, or a much less saturated version of Audi’s Kemora Grey. For those who really know their colors, it’s also incredibly comparable to Vapor, a rare shade that was briefly available on Volkswagen’s New Beetle.
While this RS 3 may be a bit rough around the edges and perhaps modified beyond your wishes, we think the scarcity is worth the minor items that need to be addressed. Get all the details of this Tailored Driver on Cars and Bids, here.
Some colors are just made for the season, and if it’s autumn then we can’t imagine a better fall color than Samoa Orange Pearl (samoaorangepearl; pearl UNI; LX2U / J0; Audi exclusive). Launched initially on the first R8 GT, Samoa Orange is an Audi exclusive finish on this current-generation RS 3 sedan.
We caught this car and a few photos by Ryan Raymond on the Audi Club North America Facebook Group and it looks fantastic. Whether paired with the factory black wheels or aftermarket gold, it’s hard not to love this car.
Whenever Audi officially reveals a new model, Audi Deutschland’s typically adds more content on its consumer website. At the every least, the official model website is made live, and sometimes the option-specific configurator is as well.
Clicking over there, we found model-specific pages for the RS 3 Sportback and RS 3 Sedan. There’s no configurator tool just yet, but there are plenty of marketing photos including two depictions of the cars in Audi exclusive paint.
In the case of the RS 3 sedan, it’s Merlin Purple (merlin purple; pearl effect; 4B / LZ3W / Z3W; Audi). And in the case of the RS 3 Sportback it’s Arrow Grey.
We’ll keep an eye out for whenever the configuration tool goes live, but for now enjoy these pics.
Equipped for maximum performance, the limited edition model is capable of a top track speed of 174 mph
Sportiest iteration of the RS 3 comes to life with standard RS fixed sport suspension
Starting at $59,900, just 200 models will be available in the U.S.
[source: Audi of America]
HERNDON, VA – Audi of America has announced that the popular RS 3 will now be available in a special Nardo edition, now arriving at dealerships.
As the first compact Audi sedan to wear the RS badge, the RS 3 delivers unrivaled performance and a high level of everyday functionality. Building on the success of this model, RS 3 Nardo edition, painted Nardo Grey (nardfograu; UNI; LY7C; Audi exclusive), delivers maximum performance for true automotive enthusiasts with a passion for driving.
The special edition RS 3 can reach an electronically-limited top speed of 174 mph, 19 mph higher than the standard RS 3. The standard RS fixed sport suspension allows for increased agility and enhanced cornering capabilities on and off the track.
Classic RS 3 performance
The latest five-cylinder engine carries on the tradition of Audi Sport® performance. The RS 3 is equipped with a 2.5-liter TFSI® turbocharged engine that’s known for its unique firing order and inimitable sound, producing 394 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. An even more distinct engine note will be struck through the Sport exhaust system with black tips, included as standard on the RS 3 Nardo edition.
Sleek exterior and interior design
A signature RS Singleframe® grille with “quattro” script highlights the RS 3 Nardo edition’s sporty stance, while the RS-design oval exhaust outlets and rear lip spoiler embody its motorsport-tuned performance.
The RS 3 Nardo edition features Nardo Gray exterior paint with Black Optic exterior trim, staggered 19-inch 5-arm-blade design wheels in bi-color black finish, red brake calipers, a black rear lip spoiler, exterior mirror housings in gloss black, and black Audi rings and badges.
The design selection interior embodies high performance with RS embroidered floor mats, Alcantara® knee pads with Crescendo Red stitching, Crescendo Red air vents and accent rings and seatbelts with red edges. Audi Sport® Carbon inlays can also be found throughout the interior.
Infotainment and driver assistance
Also standard for this special edition vehicle are Audi virtual cockpit, MMI® Navigation plus, and MMI® touch with handwriting-recognition technology, all designed to offer a seamless integration of more usable technology.
The Audi virtual cockpit offers a 12.3-inch display that delivers vibrant color at 60 frames per second with NVIDIA® quad core processing power. Specific to the RS 3 is a screen that displays information on tire pressure (when equipped with the Dynamic plus package), horsepower/torque and a G-meter. When in manual shift mode and when approaching the engine redline, the tachometer acts as a shift light and changes colors, prompting the driver to upshift via the steering wheel paddle or gear selector lever.
Standard Audi smartphone interface enables Apple CarPlay® and Google™ Android Auto integration, allowing you access to your compatible smartphone’s features, such as navigation, phone, music and select third-party apps.
Standard Audi side assist provides blind spot monitoring via LED indicators on the exterior mirror housings at speeds above 9 mph to help increase confidence behind the wheel.
The Audi RS 3 Nardo edition is now arriving at dealerships with an MSRP of $59,900 plus destination.
Manufacturer suggested retail pricing:
Model
Starting MSRP
2020 Audi RS 3 Nardo edition
$59,900
*Starting MSRP of $59,000 for a 2020 Audi RS 3 Nardo edition. Price excludes destination charge ($995), taxes, title, other options and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.
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.
Always obey all local speed and traffic laws.
When using MMI touch response system, always pay careful attention to the road, and do not drive while distracted. See Owner’s Manual for further details, and important limitations.
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 route.
Driver Assistance features are not substitute for attentive driving. See Owner’s Manual for further details, and important limitations.
All prices provided are the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price and exclude destination, taxes, title, other options and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.
