John Halas wrote:Audi chose China’s Beijing Motor Show to set free its new generation TT RS models in both coupe and Roadster body styles.
At the heart of both lies a redeveloped version of the firm’s 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five with a new aluminum instead of the current motor’s steel block, which not only helps shave 10kg or 22 pounds, but it’s also way stronger gaining 60PS (59hp) for a total of 400PS (395hp) together with 480Nm (354 lb-ft) of peak torque.
The blistering five-pot is mated to a standard seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with steering wheel paddle shifts –sorry folks, no manual gearbox option – and Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive with a multi-plate clutch that distributes power freely between the axles.
Audi claims a 3.7 second sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) for the Coupe and 3.9 seconds for the slightly heavier Roadster. Just to get an idea of how fast that is, the 540hp Audi R8 completes the same sprint in 3.5 seconds. If the rumors about a ‘Plus’ version are true, the TT RS will likely if not beat, at least match the base R8 V10’s acceleration time.
To improve handling, Audi’s engineering team lower the tuned suspension by 10mm, while also offering the option of a sportier suspension with adaptive dampers in magnetic ride technology. In standard trim, it gets 19-inch alloy wheels and enormous 370mm disc brakes, with 20-inch wheels and carbon-fiber ceramic brake discs offered as an option.
You’ll be able to tell the RS versions from their lesser TT siblings through the new front bumper with larger vents, the new rear bumper with the trademark ‘RS’ oval pipes, the side skirts, carbon fiber mirror caps, fixed rear wing, though optionally, you can get both with a more discrete automatically extending boot spoiler, and LED headlamps. Also, for the first time in a series-production Audi, Matrix OLED technology (organic light emitting diode) is used in the rear lights as an option.
European sales of the new TT RS models will kick off this fall, with prices in Germany set at 66,400 euros for the Coupe, and 69,200 euros for the Roadster. North American pricing and availability will be announced at a later date.
