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Hotter Audi TTs on the way this summer

Audi ups its RS programme with new TT RS Plus model
IF the current Audi TT RS isn’t quick enough for you, then here’s the faster answer: TT RS Plus
Story: Robin Roberts
Audi TT RS plus Coupe lr
Red hot: The ultimate Audi TT is coming this summer

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1 May 2012

 

Red hot: The ultimate Audi TT is coming this summer

Author:

Robin Roberts

Audi is powering ahead with a hotter TT.

Close on the tailpipes of the extreme TT RS comes the new TT RS plus, an even more focused version of the high performance sports car with a new, autobahn-devouring 174mph top speed, increases in power and torque to 360PS and 465Nm and an equipment upgrade.

The new RS plus duo joins the UK range in addition to the existing ‘standard’ TT RS models, and will be available to order from early May priced from £48,945 OTR – first deliveries are expected in the summer.

The step up from TT RS to TT RS plus involves tuning the 2.5-litre, five-cylinder TFSI petrol engine to extract an additional 20PS and 15Nm of torque compared with the ‘standard’ car. The resulting 360PS and 465Nm can be channelled to the quattro all-wheel-drive system through either a six-speed manual gearbox or the seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission.

With the latter installed, the TT RS plus Coupe catapults from rest to 62mph in just 4.1 seconds (manual version 4.3 seconds) to the tune of an addictively full-bodied five-cylinder growl, closely followed by the Roadster, which needs 4.2 seconds (manual version 4.4 seconds). Top speed is limited to 174mph in all cases.

Despite these suitably headline-grabbing figures the RS plus models also stack up in economy terms, the Coupé achieving a combined economy test figure of 33.2mpg and the Roadster 32.8mpg in the same test. Depending on the model the CO2 figures range from 197gkm to 212gkm.

These impressive figures are due in no small part to the extremely lightweight Audi Space Frame (ASF) bodies made of aluminium at the front and sheet steel at the rear. The TT RS plus Coupé with manual transmission weighs just 1,450kg. The two muscular bodies sit on 19-inch five-arm “Rotor” design titanium-look alloy wheels which replace the 18-inch five double spoke examples fitted to the standard car.

The single frame radiator grille with its matt aluminium surround and polished anthracite diamond-pattern mesh also sets the Audi TT RS plus apart visually, as do the carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) door mirror housings and black oval tailpipe trims. These indicate that the TT RS plus is fitted as standard with the sports exhaust system, an option in the standard car which further intensifies the already bass-heavy exhaust note.

Under the bonnet a carbon design package also gives the engine compartment of the TT RS plus a more exclusive look, and in its suitably sporting cabin a TT RS plus logo on the gear knob serves as a subtle reminder that this particular RS has even more to offer.

In keeping with its name, the ultimate TT also adds more cabin equipment, including satellite navigation, Bluetooth phone preparation and Audi Music Interface iPod connection, all of which form part of the normally optional Technology Package.

Orders are being taken now for Coupe and Roadster TT RS plus models from £48,945 for the manual coupe rising to £52,265 for the S tronic Roadster.

You can compare rivals to this new hot Audi in our guides, pence per mile running costs and business car comparisons .

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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