2009 Audi TT RS official details
March 6, 2009 by George Skentzos
Following its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show, Audi has released the full specifications for its flagship TT RS coupe and cabriolet models.
On paper at least, the TT RS undoubtedly sheds its ‘hairdresser’ stereotype as a genuinely aggressive thoroughbred performance coupe.
The versatile turbocharged five-cylinder engine in the TT RS featuring direct fuel injection develops a phenomenal 250kW of peak power and 450Nm in a car which weighs in at only 1,450 kilograms.
The result is a power-to-weight ratio is just 4.3 kilograms per horsepower, bolting from zero to 100km/h in a blistering 4.6 seconds – with the Roadster needing just a tenth of a second longer.
Almost even more impressive is the aggressive pulling power, with its maximum torque of 450Nm available between 1,600 and 5,300rpm, making roll-on acceleration and overtaking effortless.
Despite this performance, the TT RS requires an average of just 9.2-litres per 100km for the Coupe and 9.5-litres per 100km for the Roadster.
While mild mannered for most of the time, a simple push of the Sport button on the centre tunnel unleashes full noise from the exhaust system while boosting engine responsiveness.
This same Sport button also tunes the dampers for precision handling as well as recalibrating the Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) so that the engine does not intervene to monitor traction and, correspondingly, the brakes engage later than otherwise.
Like the rest of the Audi RS performance range, the TT RS boasts the brand’s coveted Quattro all-wheel-drive system for maximum road holding, coupled with a new six-speed manual transmission.
Greeting the asphalt are five-spoke design 18-inch wheels shod in 245/45 tyres, complemented by ventilated disc brakes measuring 370 millimetres in diameter at the front and 310 millimetres at the rear – intimidated by black four-piston brake calipers made of aluminium and bearing RS logos.
Inside, the multifunction sports steering wheel is flat-bottomed and covered in thick perforated leather while the instrument panel delivers additional information such as boost pressure and oil temperature as well as a lap timer.
An automatic climate-control system and the premium sound system are standard, as are an electrohydraulic soft top and an electric wind deflector for the Roadster.
The heated sports seats feature an Alcantara/leather combination with silver contrasting stitching and embossed TT RS logos, with additional branding appearing on the steering wheel, in the rev counter, and on the door sill trims.
Audi offers the TT RS in eight colours – four of which are exclusive to the flagship model: Daytona Gray, pearl effect; Mugello Blue, pearl effect; Sepang Blue, pearl effect; and Suzuka Gray, metallic. The Roadster’s soft top comes in black or dark gray.
Pricing will be announced closer to the launch date.
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Wow this car seems amazing. I gotta say that those LED headlights are really growing on me. Also its nice to see that even with all that power under the bonnet, it isn’t that thirsty when you compare it to others.
What a brilliant car! Looks good, fuel efficient and quite fast.
That’s almost supercar territory – 4.6 0-100!!
I think that the V8 R8 will be discontinued. The R8 takes 4.6 seconds to get to 100 as well and is less economical. I have no hesitation in thinking that the R8 would be a better drive but they’re bringing out the better V10 one and this TT kind of emasculates it a bit.
Insanely desirable.
Stunning car.
The inevitable Motor and Wheels comparisons with Cayman or Boxter will go like this.
“The Audi is cheaper, faster, nicer, has a better interior, but ultimately lacks the dynamic depth of the Porsches. Porsche wins. Yawn
Looks hot! And it’s AWD, as opposed to the normal TT. Awesome!!
Arnie sure loves it
Same power and weight as the 370Z. And price, well, its a bit steeper than the Datto ;)
Jester – the added bonus is that with the Audi you get the assurity of AWD to keep that power under control.
Why don’t Nissan make a more affordable AWD Sports car than just the GT-R?
The other thing is that the Audi doesn’t look as heavy as the Datto because it doesn’t have such a fat a-r-s-e
Wheelnut
So how heavy is the AUDI.
If it has the same power and weight as a 370z than why is it so much faster to sixty? I don’t think the two should be compared, this will be way better and even if it isn’t, at least it looks better than the ugly as sin, fat arsed 370z. Seriously, what were they thinking? It’s a big step backward from the handsome 350z and it looks fidgety. Some bits have sharp edges and others are really rounded. As for the lights, oh dear.
^^ The comment from “Audi” was actually mine. I got side tracked and wrote the name of the car rather than my user name. Is should really get some sleep :)
I wonder how much more premium over the normal TT Audi will ask for this car. I’m guessing well over 100K. Why even compare this car to a 370Z? They’re in different league. Having said that, if I wanted AWD, I’d rather have the GTR, even if it costs a bit extra :)
The TT RS should be here by this time next year (first quarter 2010).
No idea on pricing, but it won’t be cheap, haha. I reckon $20-30K more than the TT S.
Alex, I’m not joking! Both the Vitary and the Jimny have low range gear, and therefore aren’t in the same class as the soft-roader. Although Vitary is a light duty 4wd (I’m not a big fan myself), the Jimny is a serious albeit small 4wd, that can hang out with the best of them. I have subscription with 4wd Action Australia, and Overlander Magazines, and know of many occasions where the Jimny and Vitaries have crossed the Simpson desert, and many other tracks!!
Sorry, I have pasted the above response into the incorrect article!!
That’s the problem. This TT-RS will be 120K I reckon. TT-S is 100K already. I would rather put another 30K on top and get a proper fast car, the GT-R. The reason why I compared this with the 370Z is because of the numbers, power is the same, and so is the weight of the two cars. Considering that 370Z will cost 50K less, and it would be heaps more fun to drive due to it being RWD I know which one I would rather get, although the Audi does look pretty cool.
I have a feeling it could be priced nearer to the Caymen and Porsche Boxter S.$130,000 – $140,000 ?
The TT-RS will most likely be about $50,000 dearer than the 370Z so it’s hardly worth comparing.
Although the price of the GTR will be $148,000,if people are in the market for very high performance cars they will consider that extra money “stretch”from the TT-RS to a GTR.
“Although the price of the GTR will be $148,000″
I doubt anyone will go for base model GTR, if the premium model is only a mere couple of grand extra. At that price range it makes no difference, it’s not the same like when you would choose a Kiayundai because you save 2K. This would be like loose change…
I’m guessing there’s a difference in the way both engines develop power and how they get it down to the ground. Numbers may be the same, but there’s more to it than that.
There’s benefits in both AWD and RWD. AWD = hellis, RWD = donuts. Crowd will love it either way :)
I’ve read on another site that the “Quattro all wheel system” is infact not the system that the TT-RS will use.
Apparantly it will use a variation of the Haldex clutch system.
I don’t know if this is true, maybe CareAdvice could could investigate further?