Strange as Las Vegas is, it's not quite as strange as the Audi TT RS. With its hairy turbocharged five-cylinder, unglamorous VW Golf roots, and scorching performance, the TT RS has all of the right stuff to share the stage with a fire-breathing bearded lady. But damn if it doesn't entertain.
While taking our first drive of the U.S.-spec TT RS in Sin City, we discovered that this compact coupe has emerged from humble origins to deliver sports car competence that we never thought was possible.
While taking our first drive of the U.S.-spec TT RS in Sin City, we discovered that this compact coupe has emerged from humble origins to deliver sports car competence that we never thought was possible.
The five-cylinder freak
The TT's core DNA is still intact with the RS -- a transverse-mounted engine, a front-drive-based all-wheel-drive system, and a nose-heavy weight distribution -- but one key hardware change is enough to completely adjust this TT's attitude. That change is an engine swap from a boosted four-cylinder to a turbocharged five-cylinder that pumps out 360 hp at 5500 rpm. To realize the ridiculous power density of 144 hp per liter, the iron block is fortified with a forged crankshaft, forged connecting rods, and cast aluminum pistons.
Such big power from such a small engine typically results in an unhealthy amount of lag followed by an unmanageable wallop of thrust. Yet the TT RS exhibits neither of those traits. It boasts refinement and power delivery on par with that of the esteemed 2.0T. Responsive, potent, emotive, the TT RS is reaffirmation of the Volkswagen Group's expertise and consistency when it comes to building turbocharged engines. The 2.5-liter produces 343 lb-ft of torque over a wide band from 1650-5400 rpm. You won't experience the punch that quickly off idle, when the turbo needs more time to spool, but the car builds boost linearly and accelerates much like a normally aspirated car.
Audi claims a zero-to-60-mph time of 4.1 seconds on the way to a top speed of 174 mph. Those numbers alone are enough to silence any errant "chick car" comments slow-pitched from the driver's seat of an automatic-transmission 3-series. The TT RS is anything but, not just because of how quick it is, but how competent it is when driven hard. As a reminder that is no ordinary TT, the spirited five-cylinder creates a soundtrack that can't be ignored. The RS steps off the line with the deep burble of a big rig and swells into a high-pitched hum with a subtle vibrato. From inside the cabin, it's an air-raid siren building into a wail. This is an enthusiast's car, through and through. While a dual-clutch automatic and roadster version are available in Europe, U.S. buyers can only have a six-speed-manual coupe. The overgrown aluminum shift knob fills your palm and adds to the satisfaction found in wonderfully short and crisp throws. The steering wheel is a sculpted, flat-bottom piece that's even better than what you get in an R8.
Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1109_2012_audi_tt_rs_driven/index.html#ixzz1ZwPlPc4U
