Hot on the heels of the R8 GT limited edition release, Audi Sport has unveiled another high-performance model produced in very limited numbers to honour another revered model.

The Audi TT RS iconic edition will be produced for the European market ahead of the 25th anniversary of the famous Audi TT next year – only 100 cars will be made.

“The name of the Audi TT RS Coupé iconic edition says it all,” says Sebastian Grams, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. “The edition model is reminiscent of the iconic TT design language, which at the same time stands for courage and elegance in uncompromising form. Thanks to the exclusive exterior and interior highlights, the much-loved performance of our ultimate sports coupé, with its multiple award-winning five-cylinder engine, is not only palpable, but also visible to fans.”

The limited edition TT RS model features a distinctive aero kit, 20-inch wheels, an exclusive interior treatment and of course the sublime performance and distinctive snarl of Audi’s legendary five-cylinder engine. Winner of no less than nine International Engine of the Year awards, the celebrated 2.5 TFSI boasts 294kW and 480Nm of torque and mates to a seven-speed S tronic transmission with power down to the road through quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The standing sprint to 100km/h takes a mere 3.7 seconds on the way to a top speed of 280km/h and with RS sport suspension plus with adaptive dampers in the Audi magnetic ride technology, handling is next level.

Visually the original shape of the Audi TT from its first appearance in 1998 is still very much apparent right down to the race-inspired fuel cap, but this special edition features aerodynamic touches that have been fine-tuned in the wind tunnel that include a front apron with side flics, a front splitter, blades in the side front air intakes and a rear fixed carbon rear wing also with its side winglets. The rear diffuser is finished in gloss black which highlights the distinctive oval tailpipes that are standard RS equipment, while front Singeframe grille and Audi logo on the front are also finished in gloss black.

All this gloss black trim works beautifully with the Nardo grey finish of the TT RS – this particular colour named after the legendary Italian race track, Pista di Nardó, where Audi RS models rack up their first test kilometres.

The overall look is unmistakably aggressive, but all of the exterior styling, from the huge air inlets to the new aero elements and rear spoiler serve a very real purpose as well as adding to the sheer presence of the TT RS iconic edition. This is a true performance specialist, built to satisfy the most demanding of driving enthusiasts.

The interior has likewise been designed around the driver in true TT fashion, the minimalist Bauhaus tradition of the original TT still evident in the new, anniversary interior finish. RS sports seats are two-tone with fine Nappa side panels in jet grey and centre panels in black Alcantara, with honeycomb stitching in calendula yellow. Exclusive ‘iconic edition’ embroidery is embedded in the black Alcantara at shoulder height and black floor mats are also finished with RS embroidery in calendula yellow. 

That same yellow appears at 12 o’clock on the multi-function leather wheel and each of the 100 vehicle’s individual number is displayed on the gear selector.

Clean, purposeful and function like the original TT, this special edition nevertheless lacks nothing in terms of luxurious appointment with ambient lighting and a Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 3D sound for when something other than the engine note is the desired soundtrack to your drive.

It’s quite a package and a fitting tribute ahead of the upcoming 25 year milestone for this groundbreaking Audi model. And while this very limited edition model is destined to remain solely in Europe, a special TT model is currently under review for the Australian market. With a likely introduction date in 2023, it would arrive Down Under to celebrate the 25th anniversary of this iconic model.