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Spy Shots: Audi TT-RS caught taking in the Arizona sun
Between the TT and the R8, Audi makes some pretty enticing sports cars. But there's a huge gap in the middle there, and the latest spy shots show a new derivative coming up to close the gap. Tentatively known as the TT-RS, the adrenaline-snorting top-shelf version of the stylish little Audi is expected to pack 350 horsepower thanks to a pair of sequential turbochargers driving all fours via a six-speed manual.
The undisguised bodywork on the test vehicle – spied undergoing hot weather testing in Arizona – looks suitably aggressive, while the output should close the distance between the 272-hp TT-S and the 420-hp R8, as well as compete directly with the 295-hp Porsche Cayman S. We don't have a launch date for the TT-RS confirmed yet, but the super-coupe looks just about ready judging from the spy shots, leaving us to wonder if we might see it as early as the Paris Motor Show in a month and a half.
[Source: World Car Fans]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Malhaar 10:24AM (8/27/2008)
I remember sending this way earlier to you guys as a tip. Or did u just find this on your own on WCF?
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rsfourever 5:01PM (8/26/2008)
that car is going to be a monster! i'm so excited about it. i wonder how it will stack up against the Cayman - I know the Cayman is mid/rear-engined, but the TTRS is lighter than the 3.2 (because of the smaller engine), and is well balanced because the front is aluminum while the back is steel. also, the car battery is in the back as well...
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zamafir 5:31PM (8/26/2008)
I'm with you. Infineon's awesome enough in the TT-S, it might be a bit slower than the RS4 but it sure handles better. I simply can't wait for this more powerful iteration. It won't slot between the TT-S and RS4 as much as it should pretty much destroy the gap. If this isn't the fastest thing audi builds for the track after the R8 i'll be shocked.
Red 8:50PM (8/26/2008)
There's more to building a sports car than speed. The one thing Audi is very inconsistent about is their car's handling. The RS4 is arguably good, but I'm not entirely sure whether that has more to do with the AWD system being simply superb or the car actually having been engineered that well. I sense a lack of feel though in my brief drive of one. I've not yet been able to drive an R8, but from what I've read, the car's
When compared to respectively BMW counterparts, or even cars from Porsche (in the case of the TT 3.2, even the S2000 or 350Z), it's immediately noticeable that the TT and TT-S aren't quite "sports cars". They're sporty sure enough. But not "sports cars" by definition of pretty much anything else you put them against. Of course, I haven't driven the TT-S either, but that's pretty much been the summary from every single article I've read about it.
I hope they get the TT-RS right in that sense though because it's a beautifully styled car.
nagmashot 4:45AM (8/27/2008)
@red
how ever tested a TT-S vs a Z4 350Z or Cayman and claims a Z4 or 350Z more sportive as the TT-S has absoltuly no idea about sportive cars...
Sportauto tracktest Hockenheim shorttrack
Cayman 1:18.5min
CaymanS 1:15.5min
Z4 Coupe 3.0si(265hp) 1:17.8min
Z4 M Coupe (338hp) 1:17.2min
350Z (283hp) 1:18.7min
997 Carrera (325hp) 1:15.9min
BMW e60 M5 (500hp) 1:16.5min
BMW e46 M3 (343hp) 1:16.3min
Evo X MR (300hp) 1:17.8min
Evo IX 1:17.6min
Evo IX MR 1:16.8min
to compare
2008 Audi TT-S 1:16.1min
no comment about not a sport car..
rsfourever 5:02PM (8/26/2008)
also, i wonder if Porsche will allow Audi to call this car the "TT-RS"?
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el dorko 5:04PM (8/26/2008)
Same car was all over the RS5 post....
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MONTE 7:27PM (8/26/2008)
That is just what I was thinking, didn't they notice it in Death Valley? I have always considered the TT a chick car and I'm not sure this will do enough to change that. Oh well, not like I'm buying one anyway.
styleguy 5:06PM (8/26/2008)
That thing looks mean and much better than the Cayman, which is attractive, but just a styling mock up of the 911.
If this is supposed to be the gap between the TT and R8, I presume no R4 then.
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bob 6:38PM (8/26/2008)
Awesome! But only interested if it's offered with a DSG transmission.
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Duncan 6:39PM (8/26/2008)
Twin sequential turbochargers turbocharging what? A 3-ish liter version of their narrow angle V6 mill? A version of the inline 5? 350hp from the 2.0 liter motor would be interesting but I doubt that's going to happen from Audi.
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nagmashot 3:57AM (8/27/2008)
2.5l inline5 Twinturbo... the twinturbo VR6 was droped long time ago because it is much to nose heavy and kill the drive dynamic..
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Audi-TTRS-spyvideo-from_175984.htm
TT-RS testmule at the Ring ...
nagmashot 4:03AM (8/27/2008)
oh and high power small displacment engines is nothing new from Audi...
1994 RS2 2.2l 315hp 302ft.lbs
Johnnie 6:46PM (8/26/2008)
I think this car is absolutely beautiful from the front. I think this car is absolutely haneous from the back.
It's gonna be a monster though.
Drive this on a track with a Cayman S and my guess is the Cayman S would destroy it and be much more satisfying to drive. Just my opinion though.
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nagmashot 3:50AM (8/27/2008)
The CaymenS has hard times to beat the TT-s at the Hockenheim shorttrack in a sportauto compare...
CaymanS 1:15.5min
TT-S 1:16.1min
taking into account that the TT-S is with 44,900Euro 15,000Euro cheaper as the CaymanS that is a pretty amazing result ... now adding 70hp to the TT and the CaymanS will get it´s ass spanked all day long
innoc3nt 9:33PM (8/26/2008)
Immature post of the day:
TT sounds like (.)(.)
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Benfolio 9:06AM (8/27/2008)
Now look down your shirt and spell 'attic'.
JagGill 11:07AM (8/27/2008)
Good to see another quality option in the sport/luxury car segment. I can't wait for the day Audi, BMW, and Merc get their quality up to Lexus and Infiniti.
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nagmashot 11:57AM (8/27/2008)
lol
pen is mouth 4:20PM (8/27/2008)
Yea, I cant wait until they all get up to Hyndai standards as well.
Ohhhhhhhhhh buuuuuurn