Audi TT RS unleashed

The hotter quattro all-wheel drive coupe is powered by a turbocharged direct injection 2.5-litre TFSI five-cylinder engine that can trace its origins back to Audi’s motorsport heritage and in recent years various Volkswagen commercial vehicles. The tweaked five-cylinder develops 250kW at 6500 revs and 450Nm from 1600 revs, allowing the car it hit 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds and sail on to a governed top speed of 250km/h.

However, buyers can option up the car with a $3900 carbon package that lifts top speed to 280km/h. The six-speed manual only coupe is priced at $133,700 and is squarely aimed at the Porsche Cayman S. Audi Australia expects to sell around 80 a year, according to managing director, Joerg Hofmann. “Our RS models, while niche, are always very popular for buyers wanting the ultimate in performance,” Hofmann says.

The RS will make up just 5 per cent of overall TT sales, with the volume playing remaining the 2.0 TFSI. Audi product planning boss, John Roberts, says the TT RS would not replace the 3.2 TFSI TT. “There is room for both,” he says. “The 3.2 is still available and it will remain a part of the lineup.”

Nor would Australia get a Roadster version of the TT RS, he says. “We have no plans for the Roadster version,” he says.

The RS benefits from the newest generation TT’s larger, longer and lighter construction than the previous generation. The four-seater tips the scales at just 1450kg, thanks to its aluminum space frame body. The car uses 69 per cent alloy construction up front and steel at the back. It rides 10mm lower than the standard car and is coupled Audi Magnetic Ride to provide a more stable and dynamic ride while the car is specified with beefier brakes.

Flick the sports button on the centre console and it will adjust the car’s acceleration response, exhaust note and firms up the ride.

Visually it gets special RS-design elements including a specific diamond-look grille, large side air inlets and brushed alloy exterior mirrors, as well as a fixed rear wing spoiler, a striking diffuser insert and oval exhaust pipes. Australian-specification vehicles get 19-inch alloys, DVD-based navigation with glovebox-mounted CD changer, TTRS bucket seats in Nappa leather, short-shift, manual gearbox for lightning fast changes and a hill start assist.

Apart from the $3900 carbon package, adaptive headlights are $780 and a premium Bose sound system costs $1377.

The TT RS debuted at the Geneva Motor Show early this year.