While current reports and Audi's own official statements suggest the Audi TT RS is not coming to the U.S., our Audi sources tell us quite the opposite, that chances are very high it'll make it stateside. Audi views the new 335-horsepower TT RS (which was just unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show) as one of its halo cars, and thus, sees it as an important image car in the U.S., not to mention a vehicle that can take on the likes of the Porsche Cayman S. So why does Europe get the RS way before the U.S.?
Our insiders tell us Audi USA prefers to stagger the release of variants to keep model lines fresh and buyers interested. In other words, allow the recently introduced 265-hp TTS to garner some sales and accolades before the RS steals the limelight. When can we expect the RS on U.S. soil? With sales for Europe beginning this month, figure sometime this fall.
Of course, we also inquired whether the insane RS 6 Avant would be coming stateside, and were fed the usual line -- that it was still "under consideration." Translation? It's a long shot. Not such a long shot is the upcoming RS 5, which should give prospective M3 buyers plenty of pause.
Expect around 500 horsepower, rear-biased quattro, a torque-vectoring rear differential, and huge brakes from Audi's stealthiest four-seat coupe.
As for the S5, if you are fond of the current 4.2L 354-hp V-8, then you have through the 2010 model year to pick one up. Once the 2011 model year rolls around, the S5 gets Audi's new 3.0L supercharged 333-hp V-6 (also used in the new S4), mated to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed version of the automaker's S tronic dual-clutch automatic.