Vanishing point

The top of the Audi TT food chain. The very pinnacle of the iconic model range and a serious performance car that pound for pound has practically no natural ‘enemies’. The new Audi TT RS and its Roadster sibling have a heel of a tradition to live up to, but it would seem to be mission accomplished once again. Those ingenious folk at Audi Sport GmbH have once again created a road car with impeccable daily manners, but with an unmistakable performance bent that will thrill even the most demanding performance aficionado.

The TT styling is unmistakable, and yet with a sharper, certainly more aggressive look that perfectly matches the performance credentials. 

The front end and rear ends have been completely revised giving it an even more dynamic appearance. The quattro logo in a matt titanium-look is positioned in the lower section of the gloss black grille with its matt black Singleframe and enlarged lateral air inlets, divided by vertical strips on the inside and outside. For cooling purposes there are additional radiators located behind the typical RS honeycomb grille, and the lateral air inlets that extend almost all the way to the front wheel wells make the new TT RS appear even wider than before. 

A continuous front spoiler that is drawn up steeply at the lateral ends pulls the front apron down sharply, giving the car its distinctive, motorsport-inspired look. The blade is painted in body colour as standard, but is also available in a matt aluminium look or gloss black. The RS model has a gloss black inlay in the newly designed side sill and the exterior mirror housings are available in body colour, matt aluminium look, gloss black, and carbon. 

At the rear, it is the newly designed fixed rear wing with side winglets, both enhancing the sporty look and obviously aiding airflow and downforce at speed. There are vertical design elements on both sides above the new RS-specific diffusor and two large oval exhaust tailpipes create the typical RS finish. 

LED headlights are standard. The optional matrix LED units regulate the high beams intelligently and with great flexibility, while optional matrix OLED reversing lights (organic light emitting diode) with a 3D design provide superior light distribution, and when the ignition is switched on, the OLED reversing lights put on a spectacular display, much like the luxurious Audi A8 and A7 Sportback.

Inside too, the TT RS is sports focused, though without compromising appointment and comfort. All controls and displays are oriented towards the driver, the special RS displays in the standard Audi virtual cockpit with a 12.3-inch screen provide information on tyre pressure, torque, and g-forces. In manual mode, the shift light display prompts the driver to upshift when the maximum engine speed is reached. In addition to multifunction buttons, the RS sport leather steering wheel with shift paddles features two satellite controls for turning the engine on and off as well as the Audi drive select dynamic handling system.

The driver and passengers sit snugly in RS sport seats with the rhombus pattern in Alcantara or optionally with a honeycomb pattern in fine Nappa leather as well as the RS logos on the seats, steering wheel, door sill trims, and selector levers.  

A new RS design package adds red or blue highlights to the car on the air vent doors, the seat belts, and the floor mats with the RS logo, while the extended RS design package also offers contrasting design elements on the seats and centre console.

Despite the car’s obvious performance nature, it lacks nothing in terms of on-board technology, with MMI navigation plus with MMI touch including free text search and natural language voice control, as well as the Wi- Fi hotspot and the Audi connect online module. Online services reach the vehicle via the fast LTE standard, while the Audi smartphone interface connects smartphones with the TT RS and can stream content seamlessly to the Audi virtual cockpit via USB. Then there is the Bang & Olufsen sound system which provides an unparalleled sound experience on board with an output of 680 watts.

But the soundtrack everyone comes to hear is that of the superb engine. Delivering 294kW and 480Nm of torque from its multi-award winning 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine, its combination of lightweight construction and quattro all-wheel drive allow the TT RS to see off the sprint from standstill to 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds on the way to a governed top speed of 250km/h (which can be dialled up to 280km/h on request).

The 2.5 TFSI engine is an absolute pearler, and it’s no accident that it’s won the coveted ‘International Engine of the Year’ nine times in a row. This is mated to a seven-speed S tronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive that distributes the power as needed between the axles via a multi-plate clutch. Wheel-selective torque control makes handling even more agile and safe and the driver can use the Audi drive select dynamic handling system to influence the quattro drive and other components such as the steering, S tronic, engine characteristic and exhaust flaps. 

Progressive steering has been adapted specifically to the RS to ensure close contact with the road. At the front axle, ventilated and perforated steel discs are in action behind the 19-inch or 20-inch wheels, while the brake calipers are painted black as standard, but are available in red as an option. In addition, the RS sport suspension plus is available as an option with adaptive dampers in Audi magnetic ride, their control technology is also integrated into the Audi drive select dynamic handling system. 

It’s a compelling package and one that will appeal to performance enthusiasts when it arrives Down Under before year’s end. We’ll bring you Australian pricing and final specification closer to launch.