Big power, little car: 2017 Audi TT RS Coupe and Roadster
It's forbidden fruit at the moment, but we wouldn't be surprised if Audi's most powerful TT didn't eventually make its way to the States.
The Audi TT catches a bad rap. Even though it's improved markedly over the years, some people still label it a hairdresser's car. Audi's rolling out a new variant, the TT RS, and just one look at the car shows that either this is no hairdresser's car, or you have the coolest stylist in the world (and you might be paying too much for that haircut).
Built for performance and performance alone, the TT RS packs quite a punch from its five-cylinder engine. This 2.5-liter unit puts out 400 horsepower and 354 pound-feet, which is enough to scoot the coupe to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds (3.9 for the drop-top). Power goes to all four wheels by way of a dual-clutch transmission.
The TT RS looks a fair bit more aggressive than its brethren, thanks in large part to a fixed rear wing, larger wheels, larger tailpipes and a sharper front fascia. The standard rear taillights are LED units, but buyers can opt for OLED units with a 3D appearance. The car hasn't been announced in the US yet, but it's fair to wager that the OLED units won't come over with the rest of the car, due to draconian US lighting regulations.
As with other TT models, Audi's Virtual Cockpit replaces traditional gauges and infotainment screens with a singular, 12.3-inch screen that rests in the instrument binnacle. The TT RS features several unique interior touches, including special information screens and a shift light. Buyers can opt for a 4G LTE modem with Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity and wireless phone charging, as well.
For now, the TT RS is limited to Europe, making it quite the piece of forbidden fruit for us Yanks. It will launch in the fall, with a starting price of €66,400 (about $75,000, directly converted) for the TT RS Coupe and €69,200 (about $78,000) for the TT RS Roadster.
