Audi TT RS - The Baby R8

It’s been around for a while as a ‘coming soon’ story, and we’ve heard lots of different theories about exactly what it is. But we can now safely say that you will see Audi TT RS for sale signs out by the end of the year. And it looks to be a corker.

The original Audi TT carved itself a pretty good niche, but not necessarily one that Audi wanted. It was like the old Mercedes SLK; a bit of a ‘hairdressers’ car (not that there is anything necessarily wrong with being a hairdresser - I used to be married to one and even owned a Salon at one point in a previous life!), which really means it looked cute but there was more show than go.

The current version of the Audi TT has certainly improved the general opinion of the car. It is now an able and well sorted car. Sure, just like all quick Audis, the standard car is a bit basic unless you delve significantly in to the options list. Just like the R8, where a sub £80k headline price seems hugely tempting but you need to spend £90k+ to get the car you want, the TT does need a few bob spending on the options to give you the car you actually want. But that’s a small gripe. The TT is a very sound car. But now we have the icing on the cake. The RS

The Audi TT RS will, despite the rumours, have the first 5 cylinder engine from Audi in 10 years. For those old enough to remember, it was the 5 cylinder engine that really made people sit up and take notice of just how much potential Audi had back in the eighties, when it was used to great effect in the Quattro. And this new 5 cylinder promises a great deal. With sequential turbo chargers delivering power and torque throughout the rev range (a liitle turbo to get things moving at low revs, and a bigger one kicking in at higher revs) and delivering a whopping 350bhp, with a sub 5 second 0-60, the TT RS is getting in to R8 territory. And with its R8-esque body kit, four wheeled drive and even magnetic ride, you are left in no doubt that this is a baby R8.

The TT RS is due to start delivery at the end of 2008. My daughter Claire is hankering after a TT, but as Dad pays it won’t be one of these! But I wouldn’t mind one for myself to play with for a while. It looks that good.

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