In Audi speak, Black Edition means a high-spec, fancy-looking trim level.
With modern cars looking mean as standard, you might not think Audi’s already-sporty S Line trim stands out enough. Or maybe that it stands out too much.
Based on S Line trim, Audi’s Black Edition trim adds moody black detailing inside and out. It’s a popular choice, which is highlighted by the fact that you can get Black Edition models on the majority of Audi models – even the fast ones.
Black Edition exterior features
Black Edition is characterised by a host of black trim – the window surrounds, mirror caps, air vent inserts, grille strakes and Audi badges are all black. Depending on the model, a Black Edition car may also have darkened headlights and bigger alloy wheels.
Henry Ford famously said you could have your Ford Model T “in any colour as long as it’s black”; Audi isn’t so prescriptive. While you can have a Black Edition Audi in black, other colours are available. Usually you can pick from grey, white, red and blue, while some models let you go a bit wild with green and yellow shades. Like the A3, which looks rather fetching in this Python Yellow colour.
Black Edition interior features
Audi Black Edition models feature the same ‘S’-badged seats as S Line, while you might be able to spot black interior trim on the dashboard and dotted around in other places in the cabin. As a high-spec trim level, Black Edition usually includes nice extras such as ambient lighting and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Black Edition vs S Line
You can think of Black Edition as ‘S Line Plus’ – the Black Edition still features S Line badges on the front wings and, as we just mentioned, the sports seats.
Black Edition is more expensive than S Line as a cash buy, but often on PCP finance the difference in monthly payments isn’t massive. As an example, the difference between the Audi Q2 S Line and Black Edition, with the same terms and deposit on Audi’s finance calculator, is about £25 a month.
Of course, on the used market the difference is likely to be even less, so it’s worth checking out a used Audi Black Edition model if you want a top-spec car with all the fancy trimmings.
Which models have a Black Edition trim level?
You’ll either find Black Edition or Edition 1 trim levels on the vast majority of Audi cars – from the A1 supermini to the Q8 e-tron electric SUV. Edition 1 is like a ‘first edition’ trim level, so you’ll tend to get these on the more recently launched models, and Black Edition tends to replace it at a later date.
