Photo Shoot: Nardo Gray Audi RS 7

"Audi For Life" (audiforlife) 02/10/2014 at 12:00 • Filed to: Audi, RS 7, Nardo Gray

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I had a wonderful opportunity to do a photo shoot of a bespoken Nardo Gray Audi RS 7 Sportback, with the Matte Aluminium Optic Package with "quattro" script, at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . It was the first RS 7 with the "quattro" script that I have seen in person; plus, it was the first time that I got to sit and ride in an RS 7. Hearing the sound of the RS 7 start up under the service driveway made my heart skip a few beats.

The only thing that made the photo shoot a bit difficult was that the temperature was hanging around 22-25F and there was a bit of wind blowing. Gloves helped to keep my hands from freezing up; but, they did get in the way a bit too much when trying to swap lenses and filters. Still, I think I was able to get a good number of photos.

You can view the images in their full glory in the " !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! " photo set on Flickr.

Huge thanks go to Audi Wilsonville for letting take photos of the RS 7!

(This post has also been published on my !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .)

ddavidn > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 12:02

1

That is a beautiful, sexy piece of machinery.

spanfucker retire bitch > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 12:02

7

You had me at RS7.

Tom McParland > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 12:06

4

Nardo looks sweet, it might be a toss up between this and Estoril Blue.

Mailbox Cancer > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 12:15

3

The Nardo Gray has really surprised me on this car. If it's anything other than black, white, red, or a grabber blue of some sort, it usually better be metallic ... but THIS? Man...

Battery Tender Unnecessary > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 12:17

3

I love Nardo (battleship) Grey. But I would still rather have a RS6 Avant.

macanamera > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 12:17

1

Amazing pictures, but for 160K I would go for a CLS63S with the M157 "Hammer of Thor" motor, and still save 30 grand.

Audi For Life > Mailbox Cancer 02/10/2014 at 12:18

0

I had my reservations about Nardo Gray when I saw the first few photos posted by Audi AG; but, seeing it person has made me go 180 on it. It really fits in with the RS 7 and the matte Alu Optic package makes it pop even more.

Audi For Life > Battery Tender Unnecessary 02/10/2014 at 12:19

0

Agreed on both counts, but I would so rock an RS 7 nonetheless :)

GTI MkVII > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 12:20

1

Absolutely gorgeous. Not a fan of the wheels though.

UncleWalty > Tom McParland 02/10/2014 at 12:21

21

The Estoril Blue is getting a lot of play lately. I'm not a huge fan of it. My favorite is the Audi Exclusive RS7 that one of the Audi board members drives in forest green. Drool worthy.

Audi For Life > macanamera 02/10/2014 at 12:21

0

Thanks. While the CLS63 is balls out fast, I still haven't fully warmed up to its styling as much as I have with the S7/RS 7.

DIRTEE30 > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 12:22

2

I need 15 minutes alone. In a room. Thanks.

UncleWalty > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 12:23

3

While I realize the models don't compete directly, looking at the CLA AMG Patrick George just posted about and then looking at the RS7 is startling. The Audi is SO MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE and dare I say, sexy. I am an Audi homer, no doubt, and I have much respect for MB, but man....that is just fap-tastic.

BRJ1243 > GTI MkVII 02/10/2014 at 12:25

1

I agree, they're kind of plain

macanamera > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 12:27

4

I agree with you, but none of these "4-door coupes" does it for me the way a traditional 3-box sedan does. Like if I put them in order, I would say...RS7>CLS63>M6GC>anything else in this segment> Panamera.

Audi For Life > UncleWalty 02/10/2014 at 12:30

1

Heh... The CLA isn't a bad looker, but definitely doesn't make my (with apologies to James May) my root fizz :)

hike > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 12:31

2

Great pictures, but I'm not a particularly big fan of the color. It just seems kind of dull to me. At the DC auto show, they had a metallic deep blue RS7 that I thought was stunning (and I usually hate blue), but this just looks like a bland color on an otherwise good looking car.

Audi For Life > macanamera 02/10/2014 at 12:32

0

For me, stupid fast wagons are my weakness and would always choose one over a 4-door coupe... well, that is if I lived in Europe. In my case, the M6GC just barely edges out the CLS63 as the M6GC's rear and rear 3/4 view beats all while the CLS63 wins the side profile.

GrayHays > GTI MkVII 02/10/2014 at 12:33

2

See, I prefer these to the "blingy" 5-spoke version they probably charge an extra $4k for. To my eye this is the perfect RS 7.

monovich > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 12:33

1

Seriously. Get in mah belly! So gorgeous.

Audi For Life > hike 02/10/2014 at 12:34

0

Sepang Blue would be my choice for a "standard" RS color on the RS 7. But, if I had the money to do it, I would go exclusive and pick Sprint Blue and check off the same options as this Nardo RS 7.

JohnnyWasASchoolBoy > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 12:37

2

"... a bespoken Nardo Gray "

Just for clarification do you mean "bespoke" ie/ custom, unique, made-to-order? Or do you mean "bespoken" ie/reserved in advance, spoken for beforehand, foretell?

Honestly, either would work in this article.

*grammar grannies?

comeandgo > UncleWalty 02/10/2014 at 12:39

0

Oh. My. God!

Audi For Life > JohnnyWasASchoolBoy 02/10/2014 at 12:39

0

The latter in this case.

The Revengel > hike 02/10/2014 at 12:39

0

I was at the same show. That car looked B-E-A-YOO-tiful. Gotta admit that I really like this Nardo Gray in the photoset, however.

495 be damned; I would drive the hell out of that car.

twinturbobmw > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 12:40

1

Will you be posting some Portland Auto Show pics as well later?

The Revengel > DIRTEE30 02/10/2014 at 12:41

0

Make that 20 minutes with the A7 and I concur.

And since I just wrote this 15 minutes after you posted, I expect a reply.

~_^

GTI MkVII > GrayHays 02/10/2014 at 12:43

0

Oh don't worry, I hate those as well. Just not sure the ones here are exactly right.

I'm thinking these from the S7:

Audi For Life > twinturbobmw 02/10/2014 at 12:43

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I'm working on a write-up on the Audi A3 that was at the auto show. Will also post up other photos later today (so long as I'm not slammed with work today).

Audi For Life > UncleWalty 02/10/2014 at 12:47

2

Sprint Blue for me :D

JohnnyWasASchoolBoy > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 12:52

1

Thank you. Nice ride. Nice to get a sneak peak.

Scaggnetti > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 13:05

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Der Sportwagoner > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 13:05

1

Nice shots. I'll have to keep an eye out for this thing around town.

Audi For Life > Der Sportwagoner 02/10/2014 at 13:08

1

Thanks and I'll be doing the same. I hope we can get the owner to bring it out to Portland Cars and Coffee one of these days :)

WilRams > hike 02/10/2014 at 13:13

0

I was at the same show! I was just walking by when that car caught my attention and I just had to drool over it. Nothing impressed me more that day.

Maxaxle > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 13:19

4

Because I might have forgotten what car I'm driving. Thanks, Audi.

Maxaxle > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 13:19

0

Can't decide if I like these wheels.

It's OK to use your blinkers, St.Louis > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 13:23

7

Don't know about you, but the Daytona Matte Grey give the the tinglies deep inside...

KSEGGFTW > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 13:23

1

Sprint Blue. *drool*

Town&Country > UncleWalty 02/10/2014 at 13:27

1

OMG Yes! I was just thinking that if I am spending $100k on an Audi, its getting an Audi Exclusive color for sure. And that green would be perfect.

Audi For Life > It's OK to use your blinkers, St.Louis 02/10/2014 at 13:28

0

Indeed it does for me as well. Mmm...

Audi For Life > Maxaxle 02/10/2014 at 13:30

0

I think it works well seeing it in person. Then again, I'm a bit of a nutter ;)

KSEGGFTW > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 13:30

1

I wish MB/AMG would make a decent metallic blue. They suck at it!

DoctorNine > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 13:31

0

I have always assumed that if your nards are grey, it means you need to get out in the sun a little more. This is not a desirable condition.

cmrndrgn > UncleWalty 02/10/2014 at 13:32

0

I love love love green cars. Completely under rated.

hodor > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 13:32

1

Looks like an orca. Weighs more though.

Audi For Life > KSEGGFTW 02/10/2014 at 13:33

0

There have been a handful of nice metallic blue/grays in the MB line up, but I don't think I've seen them offered on the AMG line-up without some exclusive/individual order.

KSEGGFTW > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 13:38

1

The last blue I liked from MB was "Orion Blue". :D

The standard color choices for AMG's are pitiful. To get the "special" paint options, you have to prepare to give up your first born for Designo options and prices.

Maybe I'm just a cheapskate, but I don't find justification paying $5k for just PAINT. XD

Audi For Life > KSEGGFTW 02/10/2014 at 13:41

0

Orion Blue is a beautiful color. Going down the Audi Exclusive route isn't cheap either, something like $4000-4500 on many models (could be more for higher-end models). Since I could get a decent discount via being an Audi Club member, that makes swallowing the extra cost a bit less painful.

GrayHays > GTI MkVII 02/10/2014 at 13:54

0

Yeah those look great.

bugeyedfatwalrus > Maxaxle 02/10/2014 at 14:00

1

That is for the free marketing when some CEO's 17 year old son posts a top speed run in it on youtube

signintokinjalol > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 14:30

1

Great looking kit, eh?

We ordered one in Black Panther special effect, with the same wheels. Those wheels look great, rare to see someone choose em. Can't wait for it to come, soon!

signintokinjalol > GrayHays 02/10/2014 at 14:32

0

It's only $1K for the optional 21's...

Brosenkranz > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 15:05

0

The car is sweet and the color is gorgeous, but those silver wheels look terrible with it.

Audi For Life > signintokinjalol 02/10/2014 at 15:10

0

That's awesome and the wheels will provide a great contrast to Panther Black! Would love to see some photos when it comes in :)

Rico > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 15:33

5

My God! It's glorious

signintokinjalol > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 15:34

1

I'll be doing an Oppo review when it comes in.

Audi For Life > Rico 02/10/2014 at 15:37

1

The whole Doctor/Donna thing was crushing and that scene ratcheted up the feels :(

Menebrio > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 16:02

1

For me, this is the one aspect the defines why Audi has beat the other 2 big German firms. The hood line; ending/beggining at the grill and lights. This continuous surface looks so much better than the after thought of making the mask run unto the hood which BMW and Merc have in some models. I don't care if it is in a 80k car or your 30k intro model. Get the lines right, after all you are already paying a premium. Some may BM and Merc did it for practicality. Truth is most of the service you wont do, and if you wanted practicality you might as well get a car from the Japanese.

UncleWalty > Town&Country 02/10/2014 at 16:03

2

Might as well go for European Delivery while you're at it! That is my dream!

DIRTEE30 > The Revengel 02/10/2014 at 16:56

1

Just finished. I recover quickly.

William Kane > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 17:09

4

Nardo Grey = Sweet

Merlin Purple = Best! (RS6 C7 is the subject)

That hatch tho.

Audi For Life > William Kane 02/10/2014 at 17:23

1

I think I'm having a crisis... :)

frankie fizz > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 17:37

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muwenk > Menebrio 02/10/2014 at 18:36

0

I don't care for the hood line design of BMW/Merc either but I thought I'd read somewhere that they did it for pedestrian safety reasons? I could be completely off-base tho.

superdave847 > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 19:22

0

I love the styling of the A7/S7/RS7, but somehow I suspect it won't be a timeless beauty.

Audi For Life > superdave847 02/10/2014 at 19:39

1

I'll have to agree with you on that. The A5/S5/RS 5, the R8 and the TT are instant future classics in my book.

Sidewaysisfaster > UncleWalty 02/10/2014 at 20:14

1

Jesus H. Christ almighty it's like seeing the work of God himself.

Sidewaysisfaster > William Kane 02/10/2014 at 20:16

0

Oh Jesus I'm fucking convulsing here. Incredible.

MikeBedlam > Audi For Life 02/10/2014 at 21:03

0

My New Year's Resolution this year was no more fapping at work. I only made it 40 days. Damnit.

Audi For Life > MikeBedlam 02/10/2014 at 21:13

0

Sorry, mate... but I suppose there's a very good reason for breaking that resolution ;)

bmwwagon > UncleWalty 02/11/2014 at 08:50

1

Sport classic grey is the one for me.

horspowr1001 > Audi For Life 02/11/2014 at 10:46

1

Awesome car, awesome shots. I noticed you shoot with a D800, do you use any filters? What do you use to postprocess?

Audi For Life > horspowr1001 02/11/2014 at 11:08

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Thanks! For this shoot, although I shot most of the photos without a filter, I did use a circular polarizer on the first and second shots in this post. I primarily use Lightroom for all of my post-processing and will sometimes correct perspective issues with DxO View Point.

I also have a D300, Leica M9 and an RX 100 that I'll shoot with, but the general workflow is the same.

horspowr1001 > Audi For Life 02/11/2014 at 11:16

1

Cool! I thought I noticed the use of a polarizer in some shots and not in others :)

Audi For Life > horspowr1001 02/11/2014 at 12:19

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Even though there was a good overcast, there was still enough light to cause extra glare on Nardo. Some of the shots I had to tone down in post-processing, but the shots where I wanted to accent the LED DRLs, the polarizer was put into use.

aw119 > It's OK to use your blinkers, St.Louis 02/11/2014 at 18:06

0

I much prefer these wheels too

aw119 > Audi For Life 02/11/2014 at 18:12

2

Probably not for everyone, but I think this Audi Exclusive orange is pretty sweet. I don't consider the RS7 to be much of a sleeper so bright paint is fine with me

Dr Emilio Lizardo > UncleWalty 02/11/2014 at 21:28

1

I really like the Estoril Blue on my S5 cab. I always thought it was silly to pay extra for a paint job, but now I find myself sad that my car is Winter Salt Grey instead of Estoril Blue. A month ago it snowed, then got up to about 35F and when the snow melted off of it I thought "wow, that's a nice color." Then I drove it home and it was grey again.