When Audi wants to win at Le Mans, it hands the keys to Tom Kristensen. Audi also gave Kristensen the keys to a TT RS, but not to race, just to show us all how much fun we’re not having. If we keep our fingers crossed, the TT RS may make it to the U.S.
Here’s a new gallery of the Audi TT RS from its premiere in Austria.
Yeah, there is no new news, and we already saw the car in the flesh at the Geneva Motor Show, but we still look for any good excuse to show off the hottest TT ever. Even though this car carries a sticker price in Austria of €64,300 (about $87,900 at the direct current rates), we’re still keeping our fingers crossed that it may make an appearance in the U.S.
The TT-RS is powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine with direct gasoline injection that produces 340 bhp and 330 lb.-ft. of torque. The TT RS coupe makes the 0 to 100 km/h sprint (0 to 62 mph) in 4.6 seconds, and the roadster needs a tenth of a second longer. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), but Audi offers an option to raise the limit to 280 km/h (174 mph).
After unveiling the Audi TT RS at the Geneva Motor Show, the brand with four rings is teasing the U.S. Official reports state that Audi’s newest halo car won’t be making it stateside; however Motortrend’s insiders in Ingolstadt have commented that the chances are very high the 335 HP TT RS could be in American showrooms as early as August.
The TT RS is the next level of Audi performance. The vehicle comes with a turbocharged 2.5 liter five cylinder engine with direct injection. The 330 lb-ft of torque help launch the TT RS from 0-60 MPH (0-100 km/h) in only 4.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 155 MPH, plenty of oomph to have some fun with Porsche Cayman S owners.
Audi traditionally offsets the release of their new models by first introducing the car in Europe and eventually in the United States. It is very likely that the Germans are giving the 265 HP Audi TT S, which was introduced last year in Detroit, some time to enjoy the limelight before the offering an even higher output version. If not Audi dealers could end up with lots filled with TT S’s.
It is also believed that Audi will bring the powerful and functional RS6 Avant stateside, but because of America’s lack of enthusiasm for wagons, it is more likely that we will see the RS5 long before the estate. The Audi RS5 will compete head to head with the BMW M3; a 500 HP sleek four passenger coupe should give the boys in Bavaria something to worry about.
Audi is currently going through a phase of downsizing their entire engine line up in an attempt to increase fuel mileage and lower emissions. Unfortunately for fans of the 354 HP 4.2 liter V8 found in the current S5, that engine will no longer be an option in 2011 in favor of a more economical 3.0 liter V6 that will produce 333 supercharged horse power, the same engine that is scheduled to appear in the next generation Audi S4.
Audi has released official teaser images of the TT RS (there was a fake going around a few days ago.) Because this is the genuine article, there are also a few details about the hottest TT.
Audi confirms that the car will have a five-cylinder engine that “produces well above 300 bhp.” Audi also says the car “needs nowhere near five seconds” to go from 0 to 100 KMH (62 mph), and the TT RS will be limited to the German gentleman’s agreement of a 155 mph top speed. Audi has not yet confirmed the Quattro rocket for the U.S. market, but we will have full details from the premiere at the Geneva Motor Show.
Until we see the car in Geneva, enjoy the exhaust sound:
Audi will debut two car in Geneva: the TT RS and the A4 allroad. Next to them the company will also display the newly launched A5/S5 Cabriolet.
We already knew the TT RS would be at the Geneva Motor Show, but its just nice to get official confirmation. Audi’s hottest TT model will likely use a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter five-cylinder unit found in the Golf/Rabbit/Jetta, with which the TT already shares many components. The TT RS is expected to make 330 - 340 hp. By comparison, the next model downline, the TTS, makes 265 hp with its 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine. The TT RS should be good for a 0 to 60 time of about 4.5 seconds (0.5 quicker than the TTS.)
Not to be dismissed at Geneva is the A4 Allroad. Audi’s Allroad program is one of the best (and first) examples of a crossover vehicle out there. It combines the car and SUV together in a package that’s more car (and thus, more fun) than almost anything else out there. Compared to a standard A4, the Allroad will be distinguished by a two-tone body kit with flared fenders, higher ride height, and off-road style front and rear bumpers.
Ferdinand Piëch, the current chairman of Volkswagen’s Supervisory Board, started out at the company at Audi. He saw that there was a need for an engine that was larger than the current four cylinder units, but he also believed six cylinders was more than enough. To solve this problem, he resurrected a one of his own designs. In 1976 Audi got its first five-cylinder engine in the redesigned 5000 model. But what it’s most famous for is being the engine of choice for Audi’s rally-winning Quattro cars of the 80s.
Ever since then, there has always been a five-cylinder unit in use somewhere in the Volkswagen Group, but Audi has abandoned the engines for turbo fours and V6 over a decade ago. But now it’s back at Audi for the TT RS.
Audi’s hottest TT model will likely use a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter five-cylinder unit found in the Golf/Rabbit/Jetta, with which the TT already shares many components. The TT RS is expected to make 330 - 340 hp. By comparison, the next model downline, the TTS, makes 265 hp with its 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine. The TT RS should be good for a 0 to 60 time of about 4.5 seconds (0.5 quicker than the TTS.)
All the technical specs as well as body modifications will be confirmed when the TT RS makes its debut in March at the Geneva Motor Show.
Until now we could only speculate on the future Audi TT-RS. But thanks to a leaked dealer document we now have exact specifications of the future performance version of the TT. Set to be offered in both coupe and roadster version, the TT-RS will be available starting summer of 2009.
The future TT-RS will come with a new 5 cylinder, 2.5 liter TFSI mated to a 6-speed transmission. The engine will deliver 340 hp and over 330 ft.lbs. of torque. Fuel economy is expected to be about 23.5 mpg, which is not bad for a true sports car (the spartan Lotus Elise gets between 31 and 34 mpg.)
The TT-RS will also be distinguished by front air intakes, 18" aluminum wheels and two sets of twin oval shaped exhausts pipes. Inside customers will get aluminum air vents, RS badging on the instrument panel, and alcantara/leather sports seats with a special silver stitching.
Audi will unveil the TT-RS, both coupe and roadster versions early in 2010. We’ve already seen a spy shot of the coupe, now we have the roadster version caught testing in Nurburgring.
Like the coupe version, the roadster will be fitted with with Quattro four-wheel drive system. Also like the hardtop, the TT-RS roadster should be powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged direct-injection five cylinder motor that makes 343 bhp. The 0 to 60 mph sprint will be made in less than five seconds, while top speed will be limited to 155 mph.
The TT-RS was caught in its final look testing around Nürburgring. Major external changes to the TTS are two oval exhaust pipes at the rear (TTS has four), double spoked wheels and bigger air intakes. The TT-RS will go on sale in the summer of 2009 and will compete with BMW M Coupe and the Porsche Cayman S.
The TT-RS will be powered by twin-turbo version of the current 3.2L V6 engine or a brand new five-cylinder turbo unit with output between 340 and 365 hp. All this power will be put to the road via permanent 4WD Quattro system.
This latest TT-RS video comes from Auto Motor Und Sport. It was made no where else than at the Nurburgring race track. The TT-RS will go on sale in the summer of 2009.
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