Audi TT RS 2012 Review

When we first drove Audi's top dog TT, the five-cylinder TTRS manual, it was a tad underwhelming. Good, but not THAT good.

Late last year, they slipped a dual clutch S-Tronic manumatic transmission under the bonnet and it has made a big difference moving the TTRS to near the top of our sports car rating, ahead of the favourite Porsche Cayman S.

Apart from the fact that it would blow away the Cayman S in a straight line and around corners, the TTRS has a glorious sound (a five-cylinder trumpeting snarl) and exciting feel to it that really grabs your attention.

TRANSFORMER

That S-Tronic seven-speed box has totally transformed the car thanks in part to its rapid-fire gear changes, the snap, crackle and pop exhaust antics on up-changes and the throttle blip on down changes.

QUICKER

It's a quicker car by a longshot and allows you to keep both hands on the wheel when you are having a bit of a go.

The S-Tronic offers a couple of manual modes as well as full auto matching the car's chassis selection options that offer sport and normal.

Sport is fairly firm while normal is, well normal. But you want sport engaged when you are on the right road.

ENGINE

Power comes from a 2.5-litre, turbocharged, five-cylinder petrol engine with direct injection and variable camshafts on both inlet and exhaust sides.

The award winning engine passes Euro 5 emissions regs on the way to sipping fuel at a rate of 8.5-litres/100 average- better on the highway. It needs 98 octane to give its best but you don't mind paying extra for what you get in the TTRS.

The engine is good for 250kW/450Nm, the latter at a low 1600rpm.

SPRINT

It will put away a 0-100kmh sprint in 4.3 seconds when you use the launch control system that comes with S-Tronic.

SPACE FRAME

It weighs 1475kg and has what Audi calls its ASF (space frame) chassis construction with many aluminium body panels.

The car we drove was a Limited Edition that featured extra goodies for no extra money. These included the interior LED lighting package, gorgeous five arm 19-inch alloys, the dual mode sports exhaust (a must) and the black pack for some body hardware.

Adaptive bixenon headlights are also included as well as Bose audio and extended leather.

VERDICT

The TTRS has brilliant dynamics thanks in part to its quattro all wheel drive system that pushes and pulls the car through corners. It's an impressive drive, that's for sure.

Audi TT RS

Price: $139,900
Engine: 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder
Power: 250kW at 5400 revs
Torque: 450Nm from 1600 revs
Transmission: dual clutch S-Tronic manumatic transmission, quattro all-wheel drive
Body: Two-door hatch
Seats: Four
Dimensions:  Length 4198mm, Width 1842mm, Height 1342mm, Wheelbase 2468mm, tracks front/rear 1555mm/1546mm
Steering: Power assisted rack and pinion
Suspension: Front MacPherson struts; Four-link on subframe rear
Fuel tank: 60 litres
Fuel type: Premium unleaded
Fuel consumption: 9.2/100km combined
Spare tyre: Mobility kit
Brakes: Anti-skid disc
Wheels: 19-inch alloys
Tyres: 255/35 R19
Safety Gear: Dual front, side, curtain airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, LED daytime running lights, electronic differential lock, anti-skid brakes, brake assist, emergency brake distribution, Audi magnetic ride control
CO2 Emissions: 214g/km