The New Audi TT RS Is A 395bhp Turbo Five-Pot Hero That Wants To Give The Cayman A Kicking

Remember the old V8 Audi R8? Here’s a TT which is almost as powerful. And significantly faster. It’s the new TT RS, and under the bonnet it’s packing a mostly new version of Audi’s warbly 2.5-litre, turbocharged five-cylinder engine.

It’s putting out an incredible 395bhp, sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Mash your foot down hard enough, and 0-62mph is done and dusted in 3.7 seconds. That makes it 0.5sec quicker than the new Porsche 718 Cayman S, and identical to the new Audi R8 V10 Spyder, believe it or not.

At the top end meanwhile, you’ll hit the usual electronic buffers at 155mph. Unless you get the limiter raised, in which case it’s 174mph.

For the chassis, we’re looking at lower, stiffer springs plus firmer dampers. The whole lot tips the scales at 1440kg, although you need to up that to 1530kg for the roadster.

There’s a fixed spoiler at the back, although if you want to get rid of it in favour of an automatically raising one, that’s a no-cost option. And on the subject of spec, this is the first TT to have the option of carbon ceramic brakes. Taking a look at the inside, proceedings are spiced up by a steering wheel lifted straight from the R8, and some rather lovely quilted leather.

Prices haven’t been revealed, but with the TT S costing just over £40,000, expect the RS to be closer to the £50,000 mark. It’ll go on sale in the UK this Autumn.