Audi TT RS – Australian specifications

Audi have sprung a very nice surprise for fans of the TT RS. Originally due here early next year, they’ve managed to unwrap a few examples in time for Christmas. Nice work!

If you dig this car you’ll know all about it, so you don’t need me to remind you about the angry sound produced by the 250kW in-line five cylinder turbo. But, in case you have forgotten you can click the button below for some five pot aural delights.

One thing you may not know is the asking price. Entry level pricing for the Coupé starts at $133,700 plus all those horrible taxes and delivery charges. So, we’re talking north of $140K by the time you drive off the showroom floor. Audi hope to sell around 80 TT RS models every year. No word in all their guff today about the Roadster, so leave that with me for a bit.

The TT RS has been on sale in Europe for some time now, so you can also take a squiz at some review clippings. Despite the work Audi has done in making the TT RS look and sound superb, it would seem from those reviews they left a bit of work to do with the driving experience.

After the jump you can see a full complement of Australian images (all available as wallpaper-friendly 2000px super images, just click on the pics you like), as well raft of press information. Knock yourselves out.

[audio:http://www.ausmotive.com/audio/TT-RS.mp3]

Awesome Audi TT RS Arrives Down Under

• Audi’s first-ever RS model TT is launched in Australia
• Direct fuel injection and turbocharging produces efficiency and high performance
• Exceptional chassis dynamics, large brakes and quattro drivetrain

Audi’s first-ever RS model for the TT range has been launched in Australia.

Offering 250kW of grin-inducing power, and 450Nm of neck-snapping torque, the all new TT RS is propelled by a completely new five-cylinder powerhouse, which has its roots in Audi’s highly-successful motorsport heritage.

Pricing for this sporty top-end model has been confirmed at $133,700* for the Coupe model with a 6-speed manual transmission.

The company expects to sell around 80 units per year in Australia, according to managing director, Joerg Hofmann.

“Our RS models, while niche, are always very popular for buyers wanting the ultimate in performance. The TT RS offers superb, pure sportscar styling with exceptional grunt. It is without doubt – a very fun car to drive,” Mr Hofmann said.

“However, the appeal of the TT RS doesn’t end there. The new generation TT is larger, longer and lighter than its predecessor, and even with its superb performance, the TT RS still manages to offer efficient driving and low CO2. These traits will certainly appeal to Australian buyers.”

Making its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show early this year, the new TT RS is expected to be a very popular addition to the range in Australia, and will further enhance the success of the Audi TTS, launched in August 2008.

Powered by a turbocharged direct injection 2.5 litre, 5-cylinder engine that produces more than 250 kW or 300 bhp, the new Audi TT RS also delivers explosive acceleration, with the driving dynamics and an unrivalled engine sound to match. Its consistently sport-tuned suspension and low ride height, coupled with Audi Magnetic Ride offers very dynamic, very stable handling characteristic.

Powerful five-cylinder engines have a long history at Audi and the new TT RS continues the tradition. It can sprint from zero to 100 km/h in less than five seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, as with all RS models, is a standard feature and together with the sophisticated chassis, and awesome brakes will make the TT RS a driving machine to be reckoned with.

It will also be one of the lightest, and least thirsty as it features a largely aluminium body constructed in line with the Audi Space Frame ASF principle. This approach to reversing the upward weight spiral is a key Audi trait.

This ultimate sportscar offers the pure thoroughbred design of the TT, which has been enhanced with special RS-design elements including RS diamond-look radiator grille, large side air inlets and exterior mirrors in brushed aluminium. The addition of a fixed rear wing spoiler, a striking diffuser insert and oval tailpipes shout top performance.

Australian-specification vehicles will carry a very high level of equipment, including:

• 19-inch alloy wheels in 5-arm rotor design
• DVD-based navigation with glovebox-mounted CD changer
• TT RS bucket seats in Fine Nappa leather
• TT RS sports suspension with Audi magnetic ride
• Short-shift, manual gearbox for lightning fast changes
• Hill start assist feature

* Note on pricing:
$133,700 is the manufacturer list price and includes GST and LCT where applicable, dealer delivery and government statutory charges are not included.

PDF downloads

• Audi TT RS press kit (92kb)
• Audi TT RS technical specifications (36kb)
• Audi TT RS Coupé brochure (492kb)