What: 2022 Audi RS Q8 Color: Audi exclusive Merlin Purple(merlinpurple; pearl effect UNI; 4B / LZ3W / Z3W; Audi) VIN: WU1ARBF14ND029378 Mileage: 26,523 miles Price: $103,942 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Manheim, PA Link: Manheim Imports
The formula here is pretty simple. This is a well-appointed RS Q8 in Audi exclusive Merlin Purple with black wheels and black optics that mute the purple just enough. However, it doesn’t end there.
Beyond the factory spec, this RS Q8 also sports a few added extras. For starters, it’s got matte PPF that transforms the Merlin Purple to Matte finish while also protecting it. It’s also got some choice Audi Accessories like rubber mats and roof bars – nothing extreme, but some niceties you don’t need to purchase yourself should you pick this one up.
For those who thought with the launch of the recently introduced ABT RSQ8 Legacy Edition, one of the most popular Audi SUVs, couldn’t get even more exclusive, they have not considered the design specialists from ABT. They have crowned the SUV flagship with an ABT Individual interior package.
“From the RSQ8-S to the RSQ8-R and the RSQ8 Signature Edition, we have continuously developed the potential of this outstanding vehicle. With the ABT RSQ8-LE, we are completing our Legacy Edition series, which already includes the RS6-LE and RS7-LE. Our RSQ8 customers value the special, the extraordinary. This is the very reason why we pulled out all the stops when developing the customised interior for this vehicle,” explains Hans-Jürgen Abt.
The refinement options of the ABT Individual interior programme are almost endless: from high-quality leather and the finest Alcantara to exclusive Dinamica – the choice extends across countless colour nuances and material combinations- every element can be tailored individually.
“Our RSQ8 customers value the special, the extraordinary.”, says CEO of the ABT Group Hans-Jürgen Abt
In case of the RSQ8-LE, the driver is immersed in an elegantly progressive ambience in classic Racing Green, a colour that has its roots in motorsport and lends the vehicle a historical depth. This historical reference is interpreted in a modern way by the linear quilting pattern designed exclusively for the RSQ8-LE, which elegantly extends across numerous interior elements such as the seats, door panels and headlining through to the floor matsand trunk mat. This design is complemented by further details trimmed in leather or Alcantara, including the steering wheel with perforated 12 o’clock marking and contrasting colour underlay, as well as the steering wheel hub and steering wheel cap. The centre console, including gearshift bag, gear knob cap and armrest, is also finished in high-quality leather. A harmonious contrast is provided by the shift paddles, dashboard and seat frame trims finished in matt visible carbon fibre. On the exterior, accents such as the limited edition badge on the mudguard provide stylish highlights.
The technical attributes remain as impressive as before: 760 hp and 980 Nm of torque catapult the luxury SUV into a performance league of its own. The sophisticated ABT suspension with electronic roll stabilisationensures a remarkable balance of dynamics and comfort.
The ABT Individual ‘Signature Line’ interior package for the RSQ8-LE can be ordered at a price of €74,900.00 incl. 19% VAT, including assembly.
What: 2025 Audi RS Q8 performance Color: Deep Green Pearl (tiefgrünperleffekt; metallic-UNI; LZ6E; Audi) VIN: WU1ARBF11SD024943 Mileage: Delivery Miles Price: $166,245 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Parsippany, NJ Listing:Paul Miller Audi
We’ve seen the same story play out over and over, and we love it when it happens. Enthusiast working at dealership sees a special build car come into inventory and gets the word out to brand aficionados often before the dealership even has photos of the car on their website.
That’s the case with this RS Q8 performance in Deep Green Pearl over Cognac leather that’s turned up at Paul Miller Audi. Albert Chua at the dealership shared these photos to Audi Club North America’s user group on Facebook HERE.
The car can be found Paul Miller Audi’s website of course, but the photos are configurator renderings and at Audi those don’t include the color. Even if they did, a render is never as good as real photos, so special thanks to Albert Chua for sharing them.
Should you ring up the dealer, ask for Albert and let him know we sent you.
Update: We also found it on Audi Club’s Classifieds Group as well, this time posted by Seamus Twohig also at Paul Miller with even more photos. If a dealership with one enthusiast member of the sales team is great, a dealership with two is even better. That second listing with more photos can be found HERE.
What: 2022 Audi RS Q8 Color: Audi Glacier White (Gletscherweiß; pearl effect; LS9R/2Y; Audi) VIN: WU1ARBF19ND010955 Mileage: 17,606 miles Price: $99,900 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: Pictured below Location: Marino Performance Motors, West Palm Beach, FL Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
Sure, we love a good exterior but as they say- it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Audi’s Glacier White paint is augmented by the frankly stunning Audi exclusive Ocean Blue leather interior on this Tailored Driver, resulting in a fairly stealth OEM build if not for the copper Avant Garde wheels. Aftermarket carbon fiber bits are found throughout the exterior which certainly enhance the sportiness of this RS Q8, but frankly we’d be tempted to put it back stock. In our opinion, letting the Glacier White and Ocean Blue combo stand on its own is more than enough to stand out.
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.
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 Deutschland on Facebook is always good for seeing the latest models in special paint and trim. With the brand forum in Neckarsulm, Audi exclusive is a particular focus for this account. Case in point is this Java Green Metallic (Y6W) RS Q8 performance shared this week.
Inside, the interior is fitted in Jet Grey with Iguana Green stitching that ties the interior to the exterior hue. Note too those green seatbelts.
So what Audi exclusive color or trim would you order on yours?
