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The Audi TT RS has had a short life but gets a colorful ending in the US.
The Audi TT is one of the most sought-after sports cars around the world. Sure, the early models gained popularity to a certain persona of people, thanks to their compact size, and cute looks. In some circles, people called it a ‘Hair dresser’s car”. But it only took one test drive to know that it was so much more than that. Unfortunately, the TT will not see another generation model.
Audi will pull the plug on the TT as we know it. We could see it return either as a crossover, or still a sports car. Either way, it will be all-electric only. But the most charismatic version of the Audi TT was the much revered RS model. Before the TT calls it quits entirely, Audi will abandon the RS model from the US before it is eventually discontinued globally. This is a tribute to the legendary Audi TT RS.
The first-gen Audi TT never had an official RS model. The most powerful option was the 3.2-liter VR6 engine that was rated at 250hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, of course with Quattro all-wheel-drive. However, near the end of the Mk1’s production run, Audi deployed a skunkworks team to create something that they haven’t done before.
The team borrowed the 2.7 L Bi-Turbo V6 engine from a B5 Audi RS4 and shoehorned it into the TT’s engine bay. The engine produced a staggering 375 hp and 325 lb-ft in the RS4. Apart from the engine, the team stole the transmission, rear differential, axles, brakes, and wheels from the donor B5 Avant. Audi managed to squeeze in a Torsen 6-speed Quattro manual transmission in a car that was designed to use a transverse engine layout with a Haldex all-wheel-drive system. The spiritual-RS Imola Yellow-colored TT was unveiled by Quattro in 2001.
The only purpose of the build was to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Quattro. The car never made it to market, but it laid the foundations of what Audi had in store for the next-generation TT.
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At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Audi took the covers off of the first-ever TT RS built by its high-performance division - Quattro (now named Audi Sport).
Quattro dropped the idea for the 2.7 L Bi-Turbo V6. Instead, they designed a brand new 2.5-liter Inline-5-cylinder turbocharged motor for the TT RS. This motor may not have been as powerful, churning out 335 bhp and 332 lb-ft. But it was much lighter at 403 lbs. It was paired with a new short-shift close-ratio six-speed manual transmission. The trademarked Quattro all-wheel-drive was beefed up to manage the extra torque. The 7-speed DSG was added to the lineup later. Once the TT RS was confirmed for the US in 2010, the orders just kept pouring in.
The TT RS could accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds and would do 155mph. Take the limiter off, and you could even reach up to 174mph. Two years later, the TT RS Plus was launched with 355hp and 343lb-ft. It was a tenth faster to 62mph, but three tenths faster with the 7-speed DSG.
For the Mk3 gen TT RS in 2016, Audi stuck to its guns, and just updated the engine. The charismatic 2.5-liter turbo five-cylinder engine was now producing 394 hp and 354 lb-ft. While the Quattro all-wheel drive is standard, the manual transmission was dropped in favor of the 7-speed DSG twin-clutch auto. It is estimated that it can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.6 seconds.
But performance figures were never the reason for the TT or the TT RS’s popularity. It was the looks and its honest personality. For the RS model specifically, the distinctive sound of the 5-cylinder engine always managed to exhilarate anyone within earshot of the car. Its great driving dynamics with the beautiful and progressive delivery of power was just the icing on the cake.
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As Audi begins to phased out the TT eventually. The first casualty will be the TT RS being axed in the US. The TT and TT S will continue for now. As a farewell to the scarce and unusual turbo 5-pot sports car, Audi has introduced the TT RS Heritage Edition.
The TT RS Heritage Edition will be limited to 50 examples of a special five-color run-out to the model in the US market. Ten examples of each color will be made. Each combination is inspired by the iconic Audi Sport Quattro. The upgrades are only cosmetic. Mechanically, Audi has not fiddled around with the performance. Underneath, it's bone stock TT RS, and that is no bad thing. The Heritage Edition models will arrive in US dealerships in 2022, and we reckon they could be collectibles in the near future.
Rahull's passion for the automobile started very early at his cousin's garage that restores vintage Ford Model As, Cadillacs and more. He then stumbled upon Formula 1 at the age of 6 and his father's cameras soon after. Life is about passions and he intends to share his through his writing and photography.