With the introduction of the TT RS, Audi celebrates its history with five-cylinder engines. In the World Rally Championship, a 2.1-liter version housed in the legendary Audi Quattro aided Michle Mouton to an event win, making her the first female win a WRC race. Subsequent development of the five-cylinder engine brought more success to Audi's rallying endeavors. In the production car realm, the five-cylinder S2 RS further cemented its legacy in the performance car world.
The five-cylinder makes a proper return, then, in the harder-core, enthusiast-oriented TT RS. Now turbocharged and displacing 2.5 liters, total output is 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, with the latter available from 1,600 and 5,300 rpm. Audi achieves this with a lofty 10.0:1 compression ratio, but facilitates the maximum 17.4 psi of boost with direct injection. A new six-speed manual transfers power to Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system, which uses an electronically controlled, hydraulic multi-plate clutch and biases power towards the front wheels. It can transmit torque to the rear when deemed necessary.
With a 3197-lb weight for the coupe (topless connoisseurs take a 131-lb penalty), Audi estimates acceleration to 62 mph will take 4.6 seconds. Both coupe and convertible models can reach a 174 mph top speed, but are electronically-limited to a more sensible 155 mph. In regards to sensibility, the RS returns 25 mpg and even offers a "Sport" button on the center console which actuates a flap in the exhaust to raise or lower the engine note.
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First Look: Audi TT RS
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