But at last, it was my turn behind the wheel, and depressing the “start” button, and selecting the “Sport” setting (which lowers the body 10 mm, stiffens the shocks, re-maps the throttle and opens up an exhaust flap) I revel in the sound of the burbling exhaust as the engine roars to life.
Although it’s available with a six-speed manual, our tester sports the seven-speed, double-clutch S-tronic that shifts with such lightning fast accuracy, I forgo the wheel-mounted paddles and just let it do its job.
The TT RS can rocket from 0-60 in just 4.4 seconds, a claim I don’t doubt for an instant as I quickly reach big-ticket speed. Four-piston caliper brakes effectively haul it back, while three mature-in-years-only journos giggle like schoolgirls at the outrageous blatts produced by the tailpipe when downshifting.
Taut and flat on the curves, the TT RS feels as planted as a cat, thanks to the Quattro all-wheel-drive system and lightweight, stiffened chassis.
Given its short wheelbase and rear wheel drive bias, you’d think that it would be easy to set the rear tires loose, but despite the TT RS’s neutral handling, the all-wheel-drive system keeps it pointed in the right direction.
The potency of this testosterone-laden version of the TT Coupe is unlikely to be questioned.
And, unlike other Europe-only offerings Ingolstadt has teased us with, the TT RS will soon be available in Canada.
Although it’s available with a six-speed manual, our tester sports the seven-speed, double-clutch S-tronic that shifts with such lightning fast accuracy, I forgo the wheel-mounted paddles and just let it do its job.
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| The potency of this testosterone-laden version of the TT Coupe is unlikely to be questioned. (Photo: Audi) |
The TT RS can rocket from 0-60 in just 4.4 seconds, a claim I don’t doubt for an instant as I quickly reach big-ticket speed. Four-piston caliper brakes effectively haul it back, while three mature-in-years-only journos giggle like schoolgirls at the outrageous blatts produced by the tailpipe when downshifting.
Taut and flat on the curves, the TT RS feels as planted as a cat, thanks to the Quattro all-wheel-drive system and lightweight, stiffened chassis.
Given its short wheelbase and rear wheel drive bias, you’d think that it would be easy to set the rear tires loose, but despite the TT RS’s neutral handling, the all-wheel-drive system keeps it pointed in the right direction.
The potency of this testosterone-laden version of the TT Coupe is unlikely to be questioned.
And, unlike other Europe-only offerings Ingolstadt has teased us with, the TT RS will soon be available in Canada.
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