Middle of the road
ANOTHER version of the popular and much-copied TT is here. Do I sound bored? I’m not really, it’s just that this sector is chock-full of perfectly good cars, many of which have taken a bit of the TT’s design and slapped them onto their own product. So, we see lots of this car creeping into competitors’ examples in this well-served segment. But here we have the original.
I am a fan of the TT, but before I drove the RS version I surmised that I might end up writing that the 2.0 litre or the more recent entry-level 1.8 litre is the best TT of them all, because it offers so much torque and agility without being overly stiff for that irksome “race-car experience”. Ultimately this offers the best value for money in the TT stable. I know, it’s not about value for money for all and so for those of you with 50 grand burning a hole in your pockets, here’s a possible alternative.
PURPOSEFUL LOOK
Firstly, the RS looks purposeful with its skirts, air-intakes and muscular trim, although the rear spoiler looks aftermarket to me. It’s a shame it couldn’t have been incorporated into the boot as it is in the standard car.
The interior is a shrine to quality, fit and styling with hand-stitched panels and body-hugging seats or full race seats from the options list, which are also good if less padded. And for the purists among us, Audi offers one gearbox only, a short-throw six-speed manual, and there are no plans to add an automatic transmission.
Permanent all-wheel-drive is standard on the RS and with that comes a five-cylinder, 2.5 litre turbo-charged engine and 340bhp. Fire it up and I must admit I expected more of a greeting, but as you drive off and engage the now ubiquitous Sport button, as if by magic, there’s a deeper exhaust note, with popping, via some clever valve work and a boosted throttle response. This is a quick car, helped by its aluminium and steel body construction and when you throttle down there is torque a-plenty.
EXPLORE THE LIMITS
If you’re lucky enough to have access to derestricted tarmac, you can take your RS back to Audi who will reprogramme the engine’s management system for you in return for a fee of £1,300. And now you have a 174mph car coupled with loads of grip and ample breaks as standard, which you’ll need if you are to explore its de-limited limits.
But you know what? The TT RS just feels a little like it’s clothed in a straightjacket. I wanted it to loosen up, to be more supple and involving, but it wasn’t to be.
Competitors are BMW Z4 sDrive 35i, Mercedes-Benz’s SLK AMG 55 and of course, the ultimate tool, Porsche’s brilliant Cayman S. In the comparison data Audi’s TT RS does well in this group, leading the top speed (delimited) and 0-62mph leagues. But how you get there is just as important and still the Porsche comes out best.
Audi are building just 480 between now and the end of 2010 and no doubt, they’ll all be snapped up. It’s a good car, no denying it. It just didn’t light any fires for me. And it’s a lot of money, money that I would be delighted to hand over to Porsche for a Cayman S but no, not for this.
THE FACTS:
AUDI TT RS COUPE
6-SPEED MANUAL
PRICE: £42,985
0-62MPH: 4.6secs
TOP SPEED: 155mph (limited)
CO2 G/KM: 119g/km
MPG Combined: 31.0