There is no doubt that the tailored automotive space is booming. Audi exclusive has been doing this for years, and most of the brand’s premium segment rivals offer similar programs. Should you want something even more bespoke though, firms are there for that too. So, when it comes to the four rings, ABT Sportsline is perhaps the most established in this regard.
ABT has been upgrading Audi models for decades. Fielding DTM, GT3 and Formula E programs for Audi has only added to their factory-like association. So, while they may not be the Audi factory directly, their credibility and established prowess at building limited runs of tailored Audi models commissioned by clients is hard to beat.
Over on this site’s sister title TailoredDriver.com, we tend to use the term “remaster”. In the Tailored Driver vernacular, a remaster isn’t exactly an aftermarket tuner. Sure, ABT has a catalogue of upgrades you can elect to install much like other tuners, but a remaster is more of a brand that performs commissioned builds for a specific client following an exclusive yet repeatable formula so as to create a vehicle that is immediately recognizable as attributed to that brand. In this case, ABT is a remaster, having run any number of series over the years.
For Audi’s RS Q8 model, this has included limited runs of the RS Q8-S, RS Q8-R, RS Q8 Signature Edition and now the RS Q8 Legacy Edition.
Sidenote: In addition to the rich mix of photography ABT Sportsline released of this ABT Individual tailored RS Q8-LE, it also released a whole mix of production RS Q8-LE photography that isn’t the fully-blown ABT Individual build. The photos of that car, a silver example, have been added to the original ooooIYKYK story on the RS Q8-LE where previously there were only prototype photos. You can find that story HERE.
“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.
Should you dig into the Audi exclusive order guide for the RS Q8, you’ll find a “basic” set of known colors for which there are many beyond the standard palette. Dig into interior options and there’s less to choose from – at least for North American clients. If you’d wanted something quite different like the dark green interior seen on this build, it can’t be ordered. That’s where the ABT Individual program can take things further, with a virtually endless capability of color and material specifications.
In the case of this subtle (for ABT) black on black exterior, you can’t miss the Racing Green theme on the inside, a color that has roots in national racing colors. ABT builds upon this with linear quilting pattern (an RS Q8 LE signature) on the seats, door panels, headliner, floor mats and trunk mat.
Here, Racing Green surfaces are either leather or Alcantara, including the steering wheel for with a 12 o’clock stripe in contrasting color. That 12 o’clock stripe is an often-done design cue of course, but doing it here with perforation gives a more modern look that seems to hark design cues we’re seeing in applications such as the door panels on the latest RS 3 facelift. Shift paddles, dash trim and seat frame trims are finished in matte carbon fiber.
So then, for the buyer seeking the next level one might turn to Audi exclusive. However, for the aficionado seeking something bespoke on the next, next level, it seems ABT individual has you covered.
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