2023 – Pulpaddict

2023 Audi RS e-tron GT project_513/2 Debuts as Ultra-Limited Camo-Wrapped Variant

The 2023 Audi RS e-tron GT project_513/2 is a factory-built ‘prototype’ that’s limited to just 75 total units.

The 2023 Audi RS e-tron GT is already a pretty impressive entry into the performance-focused, luxury EV sedan space and a fine alternative to its Porsche Taycan brethren. With 637 horsepower on tap (using its boost feature for launches), the RS e-tron GT rockets to 60 mph in a mere 2.9 seconds and boasts its fair share of next-level tech to boot, making it the perfect vessel for someone who appreciates performance and luxury but doesn’t want to give up anything in terms of style, either. However, for those that crave a bit more of that – plus some added exclusivity – the brand new 2023 Audi RS e-tron GT project_513/2 is here to fulfill all of those needs.

The most obvious update that makes this oddly-named Audi unique is its exterior treatment, of course, as it’s the very first vehicle of any kind from the German brand to emerge from the factory wearing a camouflage graphics-skinned and wrapped exterior. This isn’t just some out-of-the-blue creation, however, as Audi is known for using camo wraps to conceal the designs of its prototypes when they’re out testing, which makes this a pretty cool idea.

In this case, that camo is comprised of the same red and black color combo used on original prototype test mules, but it also features red Audi rings at both ends for the very first time. The look is further enhanced by a set of 21-inch black aero wheels that cover ceramic brakes with red calipers, while “project_513/2” is etched in the rear quarter glass to boot.

Moving inside the cabin, the 2023 Audi RS e-tron project_513/2 continues that red and black theme with red air vents and detailing on the steering wheel, floor mats, and nappa leather honeycomb stitched seats, while the dash features carbon fiber inlays with camo graphics. The special edition name adorns the center armrest and the infotainment screen as well, just to remind occupants that they aren’t sitting in any old, regular Audi. One thing that hasn’t been upgraded is performance, but then again, the RS e-tron GT already has plenty of that on tap.

As for that odd moniker, project_513/2 is also an homage to the development process, as it’s precisely what Audi uses to name its developmental vehicles in terms of segment, generation, and body style, though that info is typically only utilized internally – another cool nod to this ages-old process.

Audi plans to build just 75 examples of this special “prototype” production model starting this spring – all for the U.S. – with a price tag of $179,900. But for anyone that’s ever dreamed of owning their own Audi test mule – or a prototype of any sort from any manufacturer – this is likely about as close as one can get, save for scouring auction sites looking for one that escaped an automaker’s crusher.

Photos: Audi

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1016 Industries Body Kit Makes Audi RS6 Avant Look Like an Exotic Supercar

For those that want their Audi RS6 Avant to look more like a Lamborghini, this new carbon fiber body kit is for you.

The Audi RS6 Avant is a beloved thing in the automotive world, and for good reason – it’s one of the very few super fast wagons on the market today. This once burgeoning segment has its loyal followers, of course, but not enough of them, as most folks (as least in the U.S.) long ago ditched wagons for crossovers and SUVs. Thus, we must celebrate the Audi RS6 Avant while it’s here, because fast wagons are clearly going the way of the dinosaur – at least in ICE form. Regardless, for those that don’t think the RS6 Avant is quite aggressive looking enough to match its incredible performance, 1016 Industries has just the thing – a new, rather exotic looking body kit.

The new 1016 Audi RS6 Avant aero kit consists of a variety of carbon fiber components including a front splitter, side skirts, hood scoop, roof spoiler, and rear diffuser, each of which is rather aggressive in terms of appearance. Heck, these goods look like they came straight from a Lamborghini of some sort, which is fitting given this brand’s family lineage. Better yet, all can be installed without any cutting, which is great in the event that the owner wants to remove them later.

As for this particular car, 1016 also fitted it with a set of spoked RDB wheels and blue brake calipers to further enhance that look, with impressive results. As for cost, the carbon fiber body kit itself starts out at around $20,000, but that isn’t the only thing 1016 is selling. Rather, those that want an entire, turnkey car can also get it from the U.S.-based company in the form of the 1016 Industries RS6, which already comes equipped with all these goodies and retails for $142,995.

“1016 Industries is incredibly pleased to showcase our new custom carbon fiber RS6, which offers a sharp, completely unique look for what we see as the finest high-performance wagon in the world,” said 1016 Industries CEO Peter Northrop. “The 1016 Industries RS6 is an opportunity for our company to introduce something completely fresh to an underserved category of enthusiasts that love the four rings. Personally, my career in auto design began working with Audi and Volkswagen, so the RS6 project in many ways feels like coming home.”

Photos: 1016 Industries

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Prior Design Audi RS Q8 Widebody Kit Gives SUV Lambo Looks

The new RS800 widebody kit for the Audi RS Q8 gives the SUV a far more exotic appearance for far less coin than the Urus.

As keen enthusiasts are already well aware, the Audi RS Q8 is essentially just a slightly less powerful and less audacious version of the Lamborghini Urus with a more attractive price tag. This makes is a bargain of sorts with a starting MSRP of around $127k versus $230k for the Lamborghini, even though it gives up a bit not only in terms of its more subdued looks, but also 50 horsepower – though that sort of thing can be fixed with little more than a tune. In the styling department, those that want to make their Audi RS Q8 look more exotic can also do so courtesy of this new widebody kit from Prior Design, too.

Prior Design originally debuted its RS800 widebody kit for the Audi RS Q8 at the 2022 Essen Motor Show, and now, it’s available for purchase. The kit is quite comprehensive, consisting of front air intake frames, a front lip, a “power bulge” hood, side skirt extensions, fender arches, a rear roof spoiler, and a trunk spoiler. These parts are sold either individually or as a kit, with the entire array stickering for around $18,200 USD.

All of these goodies are made from high quality fiberglass certified by TÜV Rheinland that’s reportedly both flexible and stable, and require no additional modifications to install, with great fitment right out of the box – save for the fender extensions, which require some cutting, as one might imagine. Regardless, the results pretty much speak for themselves, transforming the Audi RS Q8 from a handsome crossover to a head-turning exotic machine in one fell swoop.

Of course, it wouldn’t make a lot of sense to install a widebody kit on the RS Q8 and call it a day, so in this case, Prior Design has also stuffed a larger set of wheels and fat tires on this example, as well as an Akrapovic exhaust system to unleash more of its glorious twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 sounds. Given the fact that it’s still far cheaper than buying a Urus, those that desire its exotic looks without the exotic price tag will certainly find this combination appealing, we imagine.

Photos: Prior Design

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Supercharged Audi A6 Uses Some Unusual Parts to Produce 430 Wheel Horsepower

This unassuming, sleeper of an Audi A6 is quite quick, but it’s also stock-looking and supremely comfortable.

The Audi A6 has long been a popular choice in the luxury sedan segment, offering up plenty of technology, performance, and comfort in a stylish package. Of course, those that crave more performance can opt for the S6 or RS6, while the A6 is more of a plush, soft-riding alternative. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t give the Audi A6 a serious boost in that regard, and that’s precisely what the owner of this one did – leaving quite an impression on David Patterson of the YouTube channel, That Dude In Blue.

Patterson has driven all kinds of modified rides in his years on the social media platform, but he admits that he has a special place in his heart for sleepers – a category that this Audi A6 certainly falls in. On the outside, it looks like a bone stock example with zero obvious modifications – not even a clue that this car has been upgraded in significant and in some cases, strange ways underneath its unassuming skin.

This particular car has the optional supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that made a respectable 333 horsepower in factory form, but that wasn’t quite enough for its owner, Nate. Thus, he added a smaller supercharger pulley to up the boost, a stage 2 APR ECU upgrade with an E85 tune, and strangely enough, a cold-air intake designed for a Ford F-150. Regardless, the results are indeed impressive – this A6 now makes 430 horsepower at the wheels, and is capable of ripping off quarter-mile passes of 11.8 seconds. It’s truly a fantastic example of a sleeper, as well as a proper S4 clone in many regards.

The beauty of this combination is that Nate isn’t giving up his car’s comfortable ride or relaxed nature while also gaining that performance. Given the fact that he routinely drives long distances as a competitive golfer, that’s important, but at the same time, he can also enjoy a spirited drive when he wants to – making this modified A6 the perfect all-round daily driver.

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Flood Damaged Audi e-tron Brought Back to Life After It Was Submerged in Rice

The ages-old rice trick doesn’t just work for smartphones, apparently – it also helped get this flooded Audi e-tron running again.

For many years now, an old wive’s tale has existed that suggests submerging a flooded electronic device – such as a smartphone – in rice will help suck the moisture out of it and make it good as new again. There are many that will tell you that this isn’t true, but also instances where it has worked, with some even saying that the dust from the rice can do more damage than good. Regardless, that didn’t stop YouTuber Rich Benoit of Rich Rebuilds fame from trying this ages-old trick on an entire car – a flood damaged Audi e-tron, to be specific.

Benoit purchased his Audi e-tron from a Copart auction just a few weeks ago with grand plans of restoring it back to new, a tall task – even for someone that’s already done precisely the same with with a flooded Tesla Model S (which he daily drove for years) and a Model X. But ripping those cars apart and spending countless hours bringing them back to life was one heck of a chore. And thus, Benoit figured, perhaps submerging the e-tron in 4.200 pounds of rice might actually speed up this process.

While some would wonder why anyone would buy such a heavily damaged vehicle in the first place, well, it’s all about value. Benoit paid a mere $56,000 for this 2,600-mile “gem,” which is roughly half its original MSRP of $110k. What he got, however, was a total wreck – a car that isn’t running or driving, and features water stains everywhere, along with a heaping helping of salt from the ocean waters that once filled every crack and crevice following a hurricane.

Once Benoit and his crew managed to get the e-tron powered up, it lit up like a literal Christmas tree, with the most concerning faults related to the car’s high-voltage battery system and pretty much everything else that makes it tick. Thus, before Benoit set out to spend a ton of money and replace all of these faulty components – or, at the very least, clean them up – he figured why not capture the attention of the internet and try the old fashioned rice trick?

Benoit and his team built a giant box to park the Audi in, wrapped it in a tarp, dumped rice on top of it, and waited for a few days to see what might happen. When some time had passed, they had to vacuum all of that rice out, but the results of all that work were simply amazing – the car actually ran and drove after the rice was removed, albeit with many fault codes still flashing on the gauge cluster. Regardless, it’s a pretty incredible result, and one that we would have never imagined could work on an entire car – not that we’re about to try and replicate this little science experiment ourselves.

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