Audi unveiled the Audi TT RS in 2009 as a high-performance sports car that paid homage to the 1980 Audi Sport Quattro. The Audi TT RS was offered in both coupe and roadster versions and competed with cars like the Jaguar F-Type, Alfa Romeo 4C, and the Porsche Cayman 718 S. in typical Audi fashion, the TT RS is rather laid back as far as aesthetics are concerned. Instead, it focuses on build quality and on-road efficiency.
The compact sports car market is congested and unforgiving, but the Audi TT RS has been able to survive for over a decade now. Here, we look at some interesting facts about the TT RS and what lies in store for Audi’s smallest high-performance machine.
10 First Of Its Kind
Audi does not make too many cars with the coveted ‘RS’ badge. The first one was the 1994 RS2 Avant pictured above and for the next 14 years, the only other cars to wear the badge were the RS4 and RS6 models (two variants of each).
Then in 2009, almost a decade after the standard car, the Audi TT RS was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show in both the coupe and Roadster variants. The Audi TT RS was also the first ever compact sports car to get the ‘RS’ treatment.
9 An All-new Engine
To power the TT RS, Audi decided not to modify the powerplant in the existing TT models but instead develop a completely new engine. That was a 2.5-litre Inline-5 turbocharged unit that produced a chunky 335bhp at anything between 5,400rpm and 6,500rpm.
There was also 332 pound-feet of torque that was available from an impressive 1,600rpm. The engine design, a blend of direct injection and turbocharging, also gave the TT RS above average fuel consumption of about 31mpg, according to Audi– not bad at all for the nimble sports car.
8 A Shaky Start
The first-generation 1998 Audi TT was the subject of a recall after high-speed instability led to a couple of fatal accidents. Several years later, some coupe variants of the TT RS models were also recalled to fix an issue with the control unit.
The affected models were those fitted with a Direct Shift Gearbox. The defective control unit could trigger a false temperature signal that the clutch was overloaded. In response, the clutch protection function was activated and could lead to an uneven transmission of power and reduced engine torque. The TT RS was able to bounce back from this issue and remains in production till this day.
7 Evolution of Power and Performance
The Audi TT RS debuted with a 335bhp powerplant, placing it at the top of its class compared to its rivals. However, it has had to constantly evolve to keep up with trends in the automobile space.
That 335bhp has now grown to 388bhp in the 2020 model and the torque is also up from to 354 pound-feet from 332 pound-feet. That power boost means the new Audi TT RS can now rocket to 60mph in a blistering 3.6 seconds. That is at least almost a full second quicker than the first-generation model.
6 Almost Perfect
The Audi TT RS roared onto the scene with loads of horsepower, Audi’s fantastic Quattro system and a platform for some sublime on-road performance. It almost succeeded in delivering that ultimate thrill behind the wheel however there were some people who felt the steering lacked the kind of sharpness or feedback expected from a car of its calibre.
It is a criticism that has continued even with the latest models which is a shame really, especially since this is an area where its main rival, the Porsche Cayman, excels.
5 Audi TT RS On Steroids
With 335bhp, the stock first-generation TT RS cars were not shabby when it came to power outputs. It could sprint to 60mph in just a little over 4 seconds and had a 174mph top speed. However, this was not enough for Don Octane, a German tuner.
He swapped out the 2.5-liter Inline-5 engine for a 3.2-liter VR6 Golf R32 engine and strapped on a Garrett GTX55 turbocharger. When he was done, the Audi TT RS had been transformed into a 1,300hp bullet. Forget the quarter-mile, this tuned weapon was able to clear the half-mile in 15.19 seconds at an incredible 200.38mph!
4 Participation In Competitive Racing
There was a version of the TT RS officially known as the TT RS Racecar and as the name implies, it was built for racing. Interestingly, the TT RS Racecar was built for a specific class in a race series – the VLN Endurance Championship - that only took place on one track, the Nürburgring.
In this car, the 2.5-liter inline-5 engine now produced 380hp and 390 pound-feet of torque. The car was also extensively modified to save weight and was almost 900 pounds lighter than the regular TT RS.
3 Special Edition Audi TT RS
The Audi TT RS is a top-of-the-range model but there exists an even smaller niche at the top if you are willing to spend the extra bucks. The regular TT RS is pretty well specced out with 19-inch wheels, LED headlights and a full Audi MMI Navigation system embedded within the virtual cockpit. On top of this though, there is something Audi calls the Sport Edition which is really just an options package.
It costs about $5,500 and adds a Sport Exhaust system, carbon fiber trimmings on the interior and black badging. The 19-inch wheels are also replaced with a diamond-cut 20-inch allow wheels. It is worth noting that most of these features are now standard on the 2021 models but then, they also cost a lot more.
2 Transmission Options
In 2009, the Audi TT RS debuted with a special 6-speed manual transmission to properly handle all that torque. It was not long though that Audi announced that a 7-speed dual clutch S-Tronic gearbox would be offered alongside the manual option.
This new option allowed the driver to choose between 2 purely automatic modes and a manual mode that made use of paddle shifters to work through the gear ratios. Eventually, the carmaker dropped the 6-speed manual transmission completely and the latest models are only offered with the 7-speed dual-clutch setup.
1 The TT RS Has Run Its Race
The Audi TT RS has enjoyed a successful production run that begun in 2009. In that time, the car has constantly evolved, becoming better with each iteration. However, the TT RS may not be on its last legs. First in May 2019, Audi announced that TT models would be scrapped from its lineup after 2020.
Then it seemingly backtracked and will now keep the car until 2022 at least. Now, it looks like the carmaker may keep the TT name for an electric model that will replace the current car, as part of Audi’s broader EV program. Whatever the case may be, the Audi TT RS, at least in its present form, seems to be living on borrowed time.