For those of you who like subtle powerful sports cars, the latest incarnation of the Audi TT has just gone on sale this month here in the UK in the form of the 400 BHP 2.5 TFSI 2019 Audi TT RS Coupé and Roadster with a new front end and redesigned rear wing.
The multi-award-winning five-cylinder 2.5 TFSI has been retained with its immensely powerful 400 BHP and 480Nm of torque, giving the car lightning speed acceleration, with a 0 to 62mph time of just 3.7 seconds and an impressive top speed of 174mph (but regulated to 155mph). And of course, you get Audi’s reassuring quattro all-wheel drive system to ensure all that power gets laid down on the tarmac when accelerating away and added safety in wet and slippery driving conditions.
The Audi TT RS comes with a seven-speed S tronic gearbox that distributes the power as needed between the axles via a multi-plate clutch. Wheel-selective torque control makes handling even more agile and safe, and you can use the Audi drive select dynamic handling system to influence the quattro drive and other components, such as the steering, S tronic, engine characteristic, and exhaust flaps. There are four modes available: comfort, auto, dynamic and individual.
The new Audi TT RS also comes packed with an impressive list of extra equipment as standard. One optional extra being the RS sport suspension plus with adaptive dampers in Audi magnetic ride technology. Their control technology is also integrated into the Audi drive select dynamic handling system.
The low weight and firm suspension of the car provides outstanding handling. The progressive steering adapted specifically to the RS, ensures close contact with the road. The front has ventilated and perforated steel disc brakes, and you can have either 19-inch or 20-inch wheels fitted. Whilst the standard brake calipers are painted black, they can be ordered in red as an option.
The new car looks almost athletic in its new form, with a redrawn front end that includes a continuous front spoiler that is drawn up steeply at each side and gives the car a rather distinctive, motorsport-inspired look.
A striking new rear end makes the Audi TT RS look more dynamic and energetic, with a newly designed fixed rear wing with side winglets to form part of the aerodynamics concept. There are also vertical design elements on both sides above the new RS-specific diffuser, with two large oval exhaust tailpipes creating the signature RS finish.
Lateral air inlets have been enlarged and divided by vertical strips on the inside and outside and extend almost all the way to the front wheel wells, making the new TT RS seem extremely wide. To aid cooling the car has additional radiators located behind the typical RS honeycomb grill.
As you would expect, LED headlights are standard. The optional matrix LED units regulate the high beams intelligently and with great flexibility. Matrix OLED reversing lights (organic light emitting diode) are also available, with a 3D design which distribute their extensive light with typical precision.
The new TT RS is available in eight different colours, including the new RS-specific colour Kyalami green as well as Pulse orange and Turbo blue. The fabric top of the TT RS Roadster comes in black and privacy glass is fitted to the Coupé as standard.
Turning the interior, the controls and display in the new TT RS are focused completely on the driver. The RS sport seats with the rhombus pattern in Alcantara or with a honeycomb pattern in fine Nappa leather as an option, have the RS logos on the seats, steering wheel, door sill trims, and selector levers. Special RS displays in the standard Audi virtual cockpit with a 12.3-inch screen provide information on tyre pressures, torque and G-forces amongst other things.
When it comes to infotainment, the list of goodies is long! The options include MMI navigation plus with MMI touch, including free text search and natural language voice control, as well as a Wi-Fi hotspot and the Audi connect online module. The Audi smartphone interface connects smartphones with the TT RS and can stream content seamlessly to the Audi virtual cockpit via a USB connection. In addition, Audi Phone Box is fitted as standard. The Bang & Olufsen sound system provides a superb sound experience with an output of 680 watts.
Michael-Julius Renz, CEO of Audi Sport GmbH, says: “The new TT RS is in absolute peak form, like a well-trained athlete, it showcases even more prominently how much power lies beneath its muscular outer skin.”
Oliver Hoffmann, Technical Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH, adds: “The outstanding performance is achieved by the low weight, the maximal athletic tuned suspension, and our award-winning five-cylinder. We have received the sought-after “International Engine of the Year Award” with the 2.5 TFSI engine for the ninth time in a row.”
For more information on the new Audi TT RS please visit: www.audi.co.uk
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor-in-Chief of Our Man Behind The Wheel and Our Man On The Ground Travel and Lifestyle Magazine.
Photographs courtesy of Audi UK
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