TT [Official] Audi TT RS Plus Revealed

[martinbo]

Autocar Reports on newly revealed TT RS Plus

Audi is taking aim at the new Porsche Boxster and upcoming second-generation Porsche Cayman with a spectacular 174mph version of the Audi TT RS, seen here for the first time. Called the Audi TT RS plus, the powered up coupe and roadster pairing will join what is shaping up as a formidable display of new Audi models - the third-gen Audi A3 and Audi RS4 Avant included - at the Geneva motor show in March.

The centrepiece of the new range-topping TT is a tuned version of Audi’s turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder direct injection petrol engine – as used by the go-fast TT RS, RS3 Sportback and limited production A1 quattro.

See first official pics of the new Audi TT RS plus

Mounted transversely over the front wheels in a unique carbonfibre-trimmed engine bay, the four-valve-per-cylinder unit delivers an added 20bhp and 11lb ft of torque over the standard tune of the engine. Power is up to 355bhp and 343lb ft – some 44bhp and 78lb ft more than the new Boxster S’s naturally aspirated 3.4-litre horizontally opposed six-cylinder.

Among the changes brought to the compact powerplant - known internally as EA855 - is a revised inlet manifold and increased turbocharger boost pressure. Together, they provide the 1450kg TT RS plus coupe with a power-to-weight ratio of 244bhp per tonne, with the TT RS plus roadster coming in at 235bhp per tonne.

Engineers at Audi’s quattro division have also provided the TT RS plus with an exhaust system flap that opens on generous applications of the throttle for added aural effect.

Like the Audi TT RS, drive is channeled through a standard six-speed manual gearbox to all four wheels via a Haldex style multi-plate clutch. A seven-speed dual clutch S-tronic gearbox featuring a launch control function is available as an option.

With the system, the TT RS plus coupe will storm from standstill to 62mph in just 4.1sec, with the slightly heavier roadster taking 4.2sec. In manual form, they require an additional 0.2sec respectively, according to Ingolstadt’s official performance figures. Top speed in both cases is limited to 174mph – up by 19mph on the standard TT RS, which is limited to 155mph.

The gain in performance is achieved without any dramatic effect on consumption, which Audi puts at 33.2mpg for the coupe and 32.8mpg for the roadster. By comparison, the new mid-engined/rear-wheel drive Boxster S, which also makes its debut in Geneva, reaches 62mph in a claimed 5.0sec, tops out at 169mph and returns a combined 35.3mpg.

Allied to the TT RS plus’s engine upgrade is a revised version of the standard TT RS’s already firm-riding MacPherson strut (front) and multi-link (rear) chassis complete with sinister-looking, black and red 19-inch alloy wheels shod with 255/35 tyres.

Buyers can specify an optional adaptive damping system that uses magnetically accutated dampers to vary the firmness as part of Audi’s Drive Select system. The standard brake package is retained, with four-piston calipers and crossdrilled steel discs sited up front.

A series of exterior styling changes help distinguish the TT RS plus. Included, is a new look grille that uses a high gloss anthracite coloured diamond pattern plastic insert and matt aluminium look plastic frame. The exterior mirrors have also been altered with new CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic) housings, while the sizeable tailpipes receive black oval trims. There’s also a redesigned fixed wing for added downforce and stability at speed.

Production of the TT RS plus will begin in April, although UK sales details are unknown. Audi has, however, confirmed that both coupe and roadster versions will be produced in right-hand drive form at its Gyor factory in Hungary alongside other TT models and the A3 cabriolet.

In Germany, the TT RS plus is priced at €60,650 (around £50,845) for the coupe and €63,500 (£53,235) for the roadster. The optional seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic gearbox adds €2150 (£1800) in each case. UK pricing is yet to be revealed.

Greg Kable

Source: Hot Audi TT RS plus revealed - Autocar.co.uk

 

[DeDe]

Looks fantastic with this black-red combo! 4,1 s? The TT RS S-tronic already did 3,9... this thing will be a monster.

 

[Levi68]

I bet Deckhook and Poverty love this car. Performance is impressive, but I like the Quattro Concept with its longitudinally placed engine far more.

 

[Tumbo]

Where can I order one?

Man, as DeDe already said.. the normal RS does 3.9 seconds.. So this thing will sure be a monster that will give even an R8 GT a run for its money!

 

[Giannis]

So, we can expect an RS3 Plus soon?

 

[Levi68]

So, we can expect an RS3 Plus soon?

No I do not think. When we'll se this TT-RS Plus @ Geneva there we'll also see the all new A3.

 

[klier]

Looks fantastic with this black-red combo! 4,1 s? The TT RS S-tronic already did 3,9... this thing will be a monster.

Autoweek.nl reports 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds for the S-Tronic version, and 4.3 seconds for the manual gearbox (360 hp version)

And Audi.nl reports 4.3 seconds 0-100 km/h for the TT RS S-Tronic, and 4.5 seconds 0-100 km/h for the 6 gang manual (340 hp version)

Don't know where in the world 3.9 seconds comes from, probably some real life test in optimum conditions with the best possible tires...
But yea, this car will be a monster no doubt, and will definitely go below 4.0 secs 0-100 km/h in some tests....and will do 4.3 secs in other tests...

So this thing will sure be a monster that will give even an R8 GT a run for its money!

0-100 km/h is meaningless in a car with this kind of power and AWD. Better check 0-200 km/h, or 0-300 km/h and the TT will be annihilated by the R8 GT like there's no tomorrow.

 

[Gianclaudio]

Well, in Car & Driver or Motortrend, they did it in 3,6 seconds, but I not trust a single word coming from them.

 

[Zafiro]

Not a car I would spent extra money on. I rather pick a standard TT-RS. And whats up with red wheels? stupid idea.

 

[DeDe]

Autoweek.nl reports 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds for the S-Tronic version, and 4.3 seconds for the manual gearbox (360 hp version)

And Audi.nl reports 4.3 seconds 0-100 km/h for the TT RS S-Tronic, and 4.5 seconds 0-100 km/h for the 6 gang manual (340 hp version)

Don't know where in the world 3.9 seconds comes from, probably some real life test in optimum conditions with the best possible tires...
But yea, this car will be a monster no doubt, and will definitely go below 4.0 secs 0-100 km/h in some tests....and will do 4.3 secs in other tests...

0-100 km/h is meaningless in a car with this kind of power and AWD. Better check 0-200 km/h, or 0-300 km/h and the TT will be annihilated by the R8 GT like there's no tomorrow.

3,9 s came from AutoBild Sportscars. AMS did 4,1 s with the normal TT RS S-tronic.

 

[Deckhook]

It's very easy to dismiss the TTRS when you haven't driven one but if you have you can't not be won over by the way it accelerates and all from a tiny 2.5L engine.

The extra 20 horses aren't really necessary but are still welcome but for me I can't wait to see how much the new chassis will improve things in its replacement.

 

[JLBM]

What's the big deal? That's hardly a significant increase in power, I doubt you'd even feel it..

 

[Tumbo]

Don't know where in the world 3.9 seconds comes from..

I can tell you at least 5-6 tests when the TT RS S-Tronic went between 3.6-3.9 seconds to 100km/h. It's that fast.
The last RS6 had 4.5 seconds in the books, but did 4.1-4.2 in many tests (sedan). Audi are very careful with the numbers nowadays.

 

[donkeykong]

So, we can expect an RS3 Plus soon?

Yup,or at the very the same power boost.

 

[Zafiro]

 

[klier]

May 2012, RS3 Plus?

BMW has to come with 1M CSL

 

[Giannis]

May 2012, RS3 Plus?

BMW has to come with 1M CSL

I doubt that the 20hp extra, will make the RS3 as fun to drive as the 1M

 

[Deckhook]

I doubt that the 20hp extra, will make the RS3 as fun to drive as the 1M

Different customers for each car so I did see BMW needing to compete here. The RS3 is an extremely quick cross-country mile muncher which an extra 20hp will only increase this ability even more, it's definitely no track star.

 

[MathewBMW]

Performance is impressive, but I like the Quattro Concept with its longitudinally placed engine far more.

True. Give me 408 PS from this 2.5-litre and a longitudinally-mounted engine, with a proper quattro system. That one with Torsen centre differential. Not the Haldex 4WD based-on-demand. Nor the crown-gear diff (RS5, A5/S5 facelift). And let's not forget the MTM A1 (or the 'original' A1 clubsport quattro for the Wörthersee) with 503 PS. But that would be an extra-large-Plus version.

 

[Mr Robert]

Thanks M, nice find! However, what Audi really needs to do with this car is a TT RS Minus....

Different customers for each car so I did see BMW needing to compete here. The RS3 is an extremely quick cross-country mile muncher which an extra 20hp will only increase this ability even more, it's definitely no track star.

And that's fine. Why on earth would Audi try to build a car that would to head to head with the 1M when Audi can make five times the money doing what Audi does best?