When you think of TT a fire-breathing Porsche-baiting sports car isn’t probably what you have in mind. But hot TT such as the TT-S and TT-RS are every bit as sporty and aggressive as their name suggest.
The latest TT-RS comes packed with a 400hp/294kW 2.5-litre turbocharged five-pot. The engine is different to the previous RS’s, thanks mainly to the use of aluminium rather than steel. There’s also been a 60hp/44kW increase over the previous RS and comes with 480NM of torque. That means it can slingshot its way from 0-100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds, or 3.9 for the roadster. That is, with the help of launch control.
To put that into perspective the new turbocharged Porsche 911 Carrera 4S with PDK will take 3.8 seconds to get to the speed limit. Or 0.2 seconds off the new R8. That’s fast, not just for a TT, but fast full stop.
For the TT-RS to be a match for the rear-wheel drive dynamics of the BMW M2 and the mid-engine balance of the Porsche 718, Audi have dropped the suspension by 10mm. There are larger brakes, and a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
You’ll be able to have the TT-RS with carbon brakes and adaptive suspension if you so please. The TT-RS Coupe tips the scales at 1440kg while the Roadster is 1530kg. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h but can be increased to 280, for the right price of course.
But really, when it looks as sharp and as aggressive as this you’re going to want to tick the fast box. The RS styling changes include a ‘grrrr-tastic’ front bumper with ‘quattro’ writing sitting loud and proud for everyone to see. There are bigger wheels to the fill up those wider arches, the signature RS silver wing mirrors, and a fixed rear wing. Round the back you get a meaty rear diffuser, large oval exhausts, and fantastically cool 3D OLED taillights. They do nothing for performance but they look mighty awesome.
Of course, inside you still get Audi’s Virtual Cockpit and an R8-style steering wheel where the starter button is located. Of course you also get much leather, alcantara, aluminium, and carbon parts.
So it begs the question, the TT-RS, M2, or 718?
