Audi Buying Guide: Audi Trim Levels Explained

Established in 1910, German auto manufacturer Audi has a global reputation for sophistication, innovation, and performance. The brand’s constant development of engineering has led to its range of vehicles that blend cutting-edge technology with elegant aesthetics, making Audi one of the most popular brands of car on the road today.

Their beautifully built range includes hatchbacks, saloons, coupes, and convertibles that are prefixed with A and include the Audi A3, Audi A4, and Audi A5, whilst their SUV models are prefixed with Q, such as the Audi Q3, Audi Q5, and Audi Q7. Like most car manufacturers, Audi is also expanding into the electric vehicle market with their E-Tron range. 

At Tangelo, we offer a wide range of used Audi cars, but what are the different Audi trims available? What does Audi S Line and Black Edition actually mean? These are all normal questions to ask before spending your money on a premium car, and we’re on hand to help you! These are your Audi questions answered: 

What is Audi Sport Edition?

The Audi Sport Edition typically emphasises sporty and performance-oriented features, both in terms of aesthetics and technology. The most common Audi Sport characteristics include:

1. Sporty Exterior Styling: Audi Sport Editions often come with unique exterior design elements, such as sportier body kits, larger wheels with distinctive designs, and special paint colours.
2. Performance Upgrades: Sport editions may include performance enhancements such as tuned suspension systems or sport-tuned exhausts, to enhance driving dynamics.
3. Interior Enhancements: Inside the vehicle, you can find sport-inspired elements like sport seats, unique interior trim, and special badging.
4. Advanced Technology: Audi Sport Editions often come equipped with advanced technology features such as Audi's MMI infotainment system, driver assistance systems, and high-quality sound systems.
5. Branding: The Audi Sport logo and branding are usually prominent in these editions to signify their focus on performance and sportiness.
6. Limited Availability: Audi Sport Editions are sometimes produced in limited quantities or offered for a limited time, making them somewhat exclusive.

What is Audi S Line?

The Audi S Line is a popular trim level available across much of the German manufacturer’s current range. S Line models are known for their distinctive styling which enhances the sporty and dynamic appearance of the car, and typically include various visual and performance-related upgrades.

1. Exterior Enhancements: The S Line package often includes sportier exterior design elements, such as unique bumpers, larger and more aggressive air intakes, side skirts, and S Line badging.
2. Wheels and Tires: S Line vehicles usually come with larger alloy wheels with distinctive designs and low-profile tires that contribute to a sportier look and improved handling.
3. Suspension: Some S Line models may have sport-tuned suspensions for enhanced driving dynamics and a more responsive ride.
4. Interior Upgrades: Inside the vehicle, you might find sport seats with S Line badging, a sportier steering wheel, unique interior trim options, and S Line branding on various elements.
5. Advanced Technology: Audi S Line models often feature advanced technology and infotainment systems, ensuring a high level of connectivity and convenience.
6. Badge and Branding: The S Line badge and branding are typically displayed prominently on the vehicle to signify its sporty and performance-oriented nature.
7. Exclusive Color Options: Some S Line editions may offer exclusive paint colors or interior upholstery options to further distinguish them from standard models.

What is Audi Black Edition?

The Audi Black Edition trim has become a lot more common and is characterised by its distinctive design elements and emphasis on a sleek, sophisticated, and blacked-out appearance. But what do Black Edition Audis offer?

1. Black Exterior Styling: The most prominent feature of the Audi Black Edition is its blacked-out exterior styling. This includes black exterior trim, such as black grille surrounds, black window surrounds, black mirror caps, and often black alloy wheels.
2. Exclusive Paint Colours: Some Audi Black Edition models may offer exclusive paint colours or finishes, which complement the blacked-out aesthetic.
3. Sporty Accents: In addition to the black elements, the Black Edition may include sporty design accents, such as larger alloy wheels, sport suspension, or other performance-oriented features.
4. Black Interior Elements: Depending on the model, the Black Edition may extend to the interior, featuring black leather or Alcantara upholstery, black headliners, and other black interior accents.
5. Advanced Technology: Audi Black Edition vehicles typically come equipped with advanced technology features, including the brand's MMI infotainment system and other driver-assistance technologies.

What does Audi Vorsprung mean?

‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ is a German phrase that translates to ‘Advancement through Technology’, which has been Audi's slogan for many years, highlighting the brand's commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology. But in more recent years, Vorsprung represents an exclusive trim available on Audi cars, and an alternate option to Black Edition, but what does the trim include?

1. Comprehensive Equipment: Vorsprung Editions typically come fully loaded with a wide range of premium features and equipment, leaving little to be desired in terms of comfort, technology, and convenience.
2. Advanced Technology: These editions often showcase Audi's latest and most advanced technology offerings, including cutting-edge infotainment systems, driver assistance features, and connectivity options.
3. Luxurious Interiors: Vorsprung Editions may feature high-quality materials, premium leather upholstery, and exclusive interior trims to create a luxurious and comfortable cabin.
4. Exclusive Styling: These editions may include unique exterior styling elements, special paint colours, and distinctive alloy wheel designs to set them apart from standard models.
5. Top Performance: In some cases, Vorsprung Editions may be available for Audi's sportier or higher-performance models, enhancing their performance characteristics and driving dynamics.

What is Audi S Tronic?

Audi S Tronic is not a trim level like the examples above, instead it stands for the manufacturer’s popular duel-clutch transmission system. Essentially, it’s an automatic gearbox that combines the efficiency of a manual transmission, with the convenience of an automatic. But what are the advantages of Audi S Tronic?

1. Dual-Clutch Technology: S Tronic automatically uses two separate clutches for odd and even gears. This allows for extremely fast and smooth gear shifts without the interruption of power, making it ideal for performance-oriented driving.
2. Manual Mode: S Tronic models typically offer a manual mode that allows the driver to manually control gear changes, providing a more exciting driving experience.
3. Efficiency: Despite its sporty nature, S Tronic is designed to be fuel-efficient, and therefore contributes to better fuel economy compared to traditional automatic transmissions.
4. Adaptive and Responsive: S Tronic can also adapt to various driving conditions and styles by optimize gear selection based on factors like throttle input, speed, and road conditions.
5. Convenience: While it offers manual control for enthusiasts, it also provides the convenience of an automatic transmission, making it suitable for everyday driving.

What is Audi Quattro?

Quattro is the highly regarded and historic all-wheel-drive system developed by Audi. Deriving from the Italian word for ‘four’, Audi’s Quattro system provides the perfect amount of power to all four wheels of the car simultaneously. Buying a used Audi Quattro offers a range of characteristics and features that include:

1. All-Weather Traction: Audi Quattro is designed to enhance traction and stability in a variety of road conditions, including wet, snowy, icy, and off-road terrains. By distributing power to all four wheels, it allows for improved grip and control.
2. Performance Enhancement: Quattro technology is not limited to Audi's SUVs; it's also found in many of the brand's performance-oriented models. In these vehicles it contributes to enhanced acceleration, cornering, and overall handling capabilities.
3. Variants: Audi has developed different variants of the Quattro system to suit various vehicle types and driving scenarios. For example, the Quattro Ultra system is optimized for fuel efficiency in some models.
4. Permanent vs. On-Demand: Audi offers both permanent Quattro systems, where all four wheels receive power continuously, and on-demand Quattro systems that can adjust power distribution based on the prevailing driving conditions.
5. Technology Advances: Over the years Audi has continually improved and refined its Quattro technology, incorporating features like torque vectoring and electronic stability control to further enhance handling and safety.

Are you on the look out for a used Audi? Take a look at Tangelo's current used Audi stock and get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable sales team to book an appointment or a test drive at our Exeter Customer Hub.