The Audi Black Optic Package Explained

The Black Optic Package is Audi’s signature optional extra. It’s available on almost every model and is almost solely focused on visual upgrades. So what exactly do you get with the Black Optic package, and how much does it cost?

Like most luxury car packages, the Black Optic package is slightly different on each model. We’ve broken down the details on every current Audi to show you what features you get with the Black Optic pack, and how much it costs on each model

Let’s start by looking at what is included when choosing the Black Optic Package. This can be confusing, as Audi includes different options depending on the vehicle model. 

This means a Q5 with the Black Optic Package may have different options than an RS6. It might sound strange, but we’ll clear things up below.


What’s included in the Audi Black Optic Package?

The Black Optic Package from Audi contains the following options depending on your model:

e-tron S
  • 22″ 5-arm-interference design wheels, titanium finish with summer tires
  • Black roof rails
  • Black exterior mirror housings
  • High-gloss black exterior elements
Q3
  • 19” 5-double-arm design wheels, matte titanium finish
  • All-season tires
  • Black roof rails
  • High-gloss black exterior elements
  • Sport front seats with S embossing and contrast stitching
Q4
  • 20” 5-Y-spoke-design wheels, bi-color finish
  • High-gloss black exterior elements
  • Black roof rails
  • All-season tires
Q5
  • 20” 5-arm cutter design wheels, bi-color finish, with all-season tires (Q5 45 TFSI)
  • Black exterior trim
  • Black roof rails
SQ5
  • 20″ 5-V-spoke star-design wheels, bi-color finish
  • Black exterior trim
  • Black exterior mirror housings
  • Summer tires
Q7
  • High-gloss black exterior elements (door blades, grille, roof rails, window surrounds, front & rear bumpers)
  • Q7 45 features: 20″ 10-spoke star design, contrast gray wheels with 285/45 R20 all-season run-flat tires
  • Q7 55 features: 21″ 10-spoke star design, bi-color black wheels with 285/40 R21 all-season tires
SQ7
  • High-gloss black exterior elements (mirror housings, door blades, grille, roof rails, window surrounds, front & rear bumper inserts)
Q8
  • 21″ 5-W-spoke design wheels, graphite gray finish
  • High-gloss black exterior elements
  • Black roof rails
SQ8
  • 22″ 5-V-spoke star design wheels, bi-color finish with all-season tires
  • High-gloss black exterior elements
  • Black roof rails
RSQ8
  • 23″ Audi Sport 5-Y-spoke rotor design cast aluminum wheels, anthracite finish with summer tires
  • Black mirror housings
  • High-gloss black exterior elements
  • Black Audi rings and badges
  • Black roof rails
  • Sport exhaust system with black tips
A3
  • 18″ 5-Y-spoke design wheels, bi-color finish
  • All-season tires
  • Black exterior trim
  • Sport suspension (-15mm)
S3
  • 19″ 5-double-spoke-edge design wheels, bi-color finish
  • Non-run flat summer tires
  • Black exhaust tips
  • Black exterior mirror housings
  • Black exterior trim
  • Black roof
RS3
  • 19″ 5-Y-spoke wheels with matte black finish
  • Black Audi rings and badges
  • Black Audi roof
A4
  • 18″ 5-arm trapezoid design wheels, titanium finish, with all-season tires
  • Aluminum Ellipse dark inlays
  • Black exterior trim and mirror housings
  • Black Audi rings and model badge
  • Black side sill blades and rear lip spoiler
  • Dark chrome exhaust tips
  • Red brake calipers
S4
  • 19″ 5-V-spoke-star design wheels, titanium finish, with summer tires
  • Black exterior trim
  • Black Audi rings and badges
  • Black exterior mirror housings and exhaust tips
  • Black side sill blades
A5
  • 19” 5-arm-cutter design wheels, bi-color finish, with all-season tires
  • Aluminum Ellipse dark inlays
  • Black exterior mirrors
  • Black Audi rings, fender element and model badge
  • High-gloss black exterior trim
  • Matte black front grille
  • Red brake calipers
S5
  • 20″ 5-twin-spoke polygon design, bi-color wheels
  • Black exterior trim
  • Black exterior mirror housings
  • Summer tires
RS5
  • 20″ 5-arm-flag design wheels, forged, bi-color anthracite finish, with summer performance tires
  • High-gloss black exterior elements
  • Exterior mirror housings in high-gloss black
  • Rear diffuser trim in high-gloss black
  • Front spoiler trim in high-gloss black
A6
  • 20″ 5-V-spoke-star design wheels, titanium finish w/ all-season tires
  • Sport suspension (-20 mm)
  • High-gloss black exterior elements
S6
  • 21″ 5-arm-blade design wheels, bi-color finish with summer tires
  • Black exterior mirror housings
  • High-gloss black exterior elements
RS6
  • 22″ 5-V-spoke trapezoid design cast aluminum wheels, gloss black finish, with summer tires
  • High-gloss black exterior elements (badges, grille, window surrounds, front & rear bumper inserts)
  • Black exterior mirror housings
  • Black roof rails
A7
  • 20″ 5-double-arm design wheels, matte titanium finish
  • All-season tires
  • High-gloss black exterior elements
  • S line door sills, Illuminated
  • S line fender badge
  • S line exterior kit
  • Sport suspension (-20mm)
S7
  • 21″ 5-V-spoke star wheels, black finish with summer tires
  • Black exterior mirror housings
  • High-gloss black exterior elements
RS7
  • 22″ 5-V-spoke structured design cast aluminum wheels, gloss black finish with summer tires
  • Black exterior mirror housings
  • High-gloss black exterior elements (badges, grille, window surrounds, front & rear bumper inserts)
A8
  • 21” 10-Y-spoke-evo design wheels, bi-color finish with all-season tires
  • High-gloss black exterior elements
S8
  • 21″ 10-spoke design wheels, gloss black finish w/ summer tires
  • Black Audi rings and badges
  • Black exterior mirror housings
  • High-gloss black exterior elements
TTS
  • 20″ 5-arm-cutter design wheels, high-gloss anthracite finish with summer tires
  • High-gloss black exterior mirror housings
  • High-gloss black exterior trim
  • Red brake calipers

As you can see from the features available on each model, the Black Optic package improves a few key areas:


Wheel / Tire upgrades

Most models include a wheel and tire size upgrade within the Black Optic package, with other models receiving exclusive alloys. The wheel increase is usually a 1-inch larger alloy, and on most models, they are a big improvement on the standard wheels.

On a few of the RS and S models, this wheel increase isn’t always positive. Taking the RS6 as an example, upgrading to 22-inch wheels does have a negative impact on ride quality. The wheels may look great on your new Audi, but driving it might get frustrating if you’re not on a perfectly flat surface.

Audi wheels with red brake calipers
On some Audi models the Black Optic pack adds red brake calipers

High Gloss Black Exterior Trim

The High Gloss upgrades are probably the most noticeable part of the Black Optic package. Each Audi model has a different level of trim changes, but most include different front grilles, side mirrors,  and rear spoilers.

Here at the Weekly Autos, we’re full of praise for these upgrades. I know some Audi owners prefer the chrome-style trim you get on standard models, but the black trim changes just make the car look more aggressive and focused. 

Audi RS5 in yellow
Black trim changes include the front grille and side skirts

Black Badges

Like the high gloss changes, some models in the Audi range also come with black badges as part of the Black Optic pack. These changes are again purely visual, but they do make the car stand out against a standard Audi model.

The black styling as part of this pack definitely splits opinion, but love it or hate it, it helps the Black Optic models stand out. It’s a welcome addition to this package in our opinion and elevates it from just a set of upgraded wheels.

Audi Black Badge
Black badging is available on most models as part of the Black Optic package

Sports Suspension

Only available on a handful of models, the sport suspension option lowers your Audi by around 10-20mm. The objective of this is to provide a sportier ride, and the lowered suspension definitely archives this. Handling is noticeably improved through the lower and stiffer suspension, but there are downsides.

As with any sport suspension option, the balance here is between a better driving experience and a rougher ride. If you’re using your Audi mostly for freeways and city driving this is a feature you probably won’t want, but if you’re planning to enjoy your car on the road or the track, you’re going to want this option.

Audi A7 in grey
The A7 includes a 20mm drop in ride height with the Black Optic package

How Much Does The Black Optic Package Cost?

  • e-tron S – $3,500
  • Q3 – $1,700
  • Q4 – $1,300
  • Q5 – $1,300
  • SQ5 – $600
  • Q7 – $1,750
  • SQ7 – $1,150
  • Q8 – $750
  • SQ8 – $2,200
  • RSQ8 – $3,250
  • A3 – $1,550
  • S3 – $1,850
  • RS3 – $750
  • A3 – $1,300
  • S4 – $1,000
  • A5 – $2,250
  • S5 – $1,400
  • RS5 – $1,600
  • A6 – $1,800
  • S6 – $750
  • RS6 – $2,450
  • A7 – $2,200
  • S7 – $750
  • RS7 – $2,750
  • A8 – $1,750
  • S8 – $2,100
  • TTS – $900

Is the Black Optic Package Worth It?

If you’re looking to make your Audi stand out, this is one of the best packages to go for. Adding the Black Optic package is an expensive option, but the improved wheels and trim features make this worth it on most Audi models.

If you’re looking at a performance model (anything in the S or RS range) you might be thinking twice about the Black Optic package, as most of these cars also have the optional Carbon Optic pack. This comes down purely to individual taste, but for our money, the Carbon pack looks like the more premium option, and the one we would go for.


If you liked this post and want to find out more about Audi, and packages from other Manufacturers, check out the links below:

The Best Audi Daily Drivers

Which Audi Models Have A Heads Up Display?

Audi Executive Pack Explained

Audi Convenience Package Explained

Which Audi Models Have Massage Seats?

The Audi Full Leather Interior Package Explained

The Audi Performance Package Explained