2016 Audi TT-RS Continues Testing with 2.5 TFSI under TTS Disguise

Despite what you may think about it, Audi is continuing the development of a second generation of the TT-RS. The black coupe in this video might look like just another 2015 model year TTS, but there's something funky under the bonnet.

Listening closely to the exhaust note, we noticed the trademark firing order of the famous five-cylinder turbo engine. This is going to make a huge difference, taking the TT from 310 horsepower up to about 380.

Mounted longitudinally and coupled to a 7-speed twin-clutch gearbox, this engine will make the TT-RS a rocket capable of reaching 100 km/h in around 4 seconds.

The base TT is the lightest car ever made on the MQB platform, plus its chassis is stiff. So we should end up with a good track car, albeit one that won' slide the tail like a BMW M235i.

There's not that much to tell you about the prototype in the video, other than the fact that it clearly sounds like it has a five-cylinder turbo engine and not the 2-liter that's been rumored. Many body panels will have to be changed, including the bumpers, fenders and rocker panels. A fixed rear wing might also be installed, but we find it a little strange it hasn't been fitted already.

Competition?

While the Audi TT-RS has no direct rival from Mercedes-Benz, the CLA 45 AMG offers similar performance and a lot more space. It too received an update recently, taking the 2-liter turbo engine all the way to 381 hp.

As for BMW, the first-ever M2 coupe should come along any day. Equipped with our favorite inline-six engine and an M-specific gearbox, it's going to be the sportscar to watch out for in 2016.

Porsche is also going to update the Cayman soon. Most models will come with a turbocharged flat-four delivering 240 hp in base spec, 300 hp in the Cayman S and 370 hp in the GTS.