Audi TT RS
There’s a certain stereotype associated with the Audi TT that is hasn’t quite been able to shake off in the 18 years its been around. However, if anything is going to change the way people view the little sports car it’s the new TT RS.
It’s the fastest, loudest and most brash TT ever built and despite wearing a £51,800 price tag, there is no other car on sale that will rocket you down the road faster for less.
There’s certainly no mistaking it for any other TT in the range either. Bulging wheel arches, gaping air intakes and oval exhaust pipes wider than the channel tunnel give it a look of real menace on the road.
Also unique to the RS is the thumping great 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo under the bonnet. The hand-built engine develops a whopping 394bhp and when paired with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system makes for eye-widening acceleration. Floor the throttle from a standstill and the TT RS will be adding points to your license faster than you can say vorsprung durch technic.
More addictive than the speed, though, is the cacophony of noise. A delicious burble from the exhausts at idle quickly intensifies to a demonic wail, with violent bangs and crackle from the exhaust when you work your way through the gears.
So, its got the looks, noise and speed, but fast Audis have always lacked that final degree of involvement you get from the truly great sports cars. The new TT RS may better than before, feeling more nimble and balanced through the corners, but a Porsche Cayman is still the better drivers car.
However, just stepping foot in the TT RS could be enough to sway you. It has one of the finest interiors around, with a fantastic 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit display behind the wheel, lashing of aluminium and quilted leather bucket seats that wouldn’t look out of place a Knightsbridge furniture store.
