Geneva Preview: Audi teases TT RS with superlatives, new high-res photos
by Drew Phillips on Feb 24th 2009 at 3:28PM 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi TT RS
We have to admit that we got excited when we saw Audi had officially posted a press release and new photos of the TT RS that is set to make its debut at next week's Geneva Motor Show. After all, up until now we had only received the bare details and a few low-res photos of the car.
The new pictures are great, but we have been left wanting with a press release that is largely devoid of any additional technical or useful details that we were not already aware of. What we have learned, however, is that Audi is really jazzed about the TT RS. The generally conservative Germans seem to be going all out on this one, describing the acceleration as "explosive," the sound as "unrivaled," and the brakes as "stupendous." Audi claims it will need "nowhere near five seconds to reach 100 km/h" (62 miles-per-hour), it will be able to "perform extraordinary feats" and overtaking will be "child's play." Come on, Audi, are you sure you don't want to bring the TT RS stateside? Check out the gallery below and the press release after the jump.
Gallery: Audi TT RS and Roadster
[Source: Audi]
PRESS RELEASE:
Ingolstadt – Audi is once again producing a five-cylinder powerhouse: the Audi TT RS will be unveiled to the world at the Geneva Auto Show. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter engine produces well above 300 bhp. It also delivers explosive acceleration, driving delight, and unrivalled sound.
A legend is reborn. After all, powerful five-cylinder gasoline engines have a long legacy at Audi. And the turbocharged direct-fuel-injection engine in the TT RS is the new torchbearer of this dynamic tradition. It enables the TT RS to perform extraordinary feats. For example, it needs nowhere near five seconds to reach 100 km/h (62.14 mph); overtaking is child's play; and 250 km/h (155.34 mph) is the limited top speed only on paper.
The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, a sophisticated chassis, and stupendous brakes keep a tight rein on the power. All in all, the compact TT RS – with its lightweight and largely aluminum body constructed as per the Audi Space Frame principle – is a driving machine to be reckoned with.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Serge 3:36PM (2/24/2009)
Ok... for all their talk this better be at least as fast as an LS3 Vette.
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Valentino Amoro 11:50PM (2/24/2009)
Actually this def cannot be as fast as an LS3 Corvette, which has 436 HP and similar weight. All comparos benchmarking the LS3 Vs the R8 and Porsche 911 S have the LS3 winning in terms of lap times and acceleration and the R9 in refinement with the 911S somewhere in between.
This car is benchmarked lower than the R8 and doesnt even have the new S4's torque vectoring rear diff. I also think it's Haldex which is FWD biased. It's a competitor to the new Cayman S and 370Z. It's acceleration can be faster but handling will be tough to beat the former two.
That said I love it and think it's going to be a killer with a chip.
Valentino Amoro 11:54PM (2/24/2009)
I forgot to mention, to be faster than the LS3 we're talking about it being faster than the CTS-V, M3, C63 AMG among other insanely fast and polished cars, not to mention the R8 and 911S.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/features_classic_cars/the_lightning_lap_2008_feature
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artemis-bogomolov 3:38PM (2/24/2009)
Wow, I've taken a ride in a TT-S and it was mind blowing, I wonder what this will feel like :D
I like the coupe more.
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Davin Black 3:55PM (2/24/2009)
Glorious.
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Richard 3:57PM (2/24/2009)
Sub 5 second 0-60.
Wonder if it has KERS.
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Mobius_1 4:05PM (2/24/2009)
Vagueness overwhelming.
Beauty overpowering.
Price likely over-reaching.
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Alex 4:08PM (2/24/2009)
ill take mine in coupe please.
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steve 11:22AM (2/25/2009)
that's a poofer car like a miata,,,total hairdresser mobile.
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rsfourever 5:33PM (2/24/2009)
yea, a poofer car that can run laps around your big manly camaro...
Kitko 4:14PM (2/24/2009)
An upmarket Skoda minus roof.
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rsfourever 5:33PM (2/24/2009)
i guess that means a murcielago spyder is also just an upmarket skoda minus roof.
scott 4:44PM (2/24/2009)
Those LED's look like those "rope lights" your trashy neighbors didn't take down after Christmas
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zamafir 5:03PM (2/24/2009)
Soo... no where near 5 seconds... basically it'll be between the RS4 and R8 in terms of acceleration and lithe? Fantastic. I'm already addicted to that exhaust note.
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Mazda FTW! 5:22PM (2/24/2009)
Imagine a RS3, 3-door
zamafir 6:44PM (2/24/2009)
Meh, I don't think we need to, I'll bet my left nut one's in the planning stages (i'll try to confirm in a few months) and that it'll come out around a year after the TT-RS :).
P.V. 6:38PM (2/24/2009)
[tantrum] Mommy, I want one of those things NOW! [/tantrum]
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dwightB 8:02PM (2/24/2009)
Oh look, another Volkswagen AG product with fake black plastic "grilles" that go absolutely nowhere. At least this time they're only in the rear.
By far that WORST part of the Mk5 Golf GTI imo...
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Duders 10:45PM (2/24/2009)
They have to be plastic bro, it's the law
dwightB 1:55AM (2/25/2009)
Duders, you completely missed the point. The fact that the grilles are NOT functional is what I am talking about. It's just a cheap black mesh that's embossed on a slab of plastic with absolutely no pass-through.