2017 Audi TT RS Roadster
& Coupe
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
10 kg, but it’s also way stronger gaining 60 PS for a total
of 400 PS together with 480 Nm 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 for the Coupe and 3.9 seconds for the
slightly heavier Roadster. Just to get
an idea of how fast that is, the 540 hp 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.
