Photo: SB-Medien
Considering we expected the development of the Audi TT-RS to be in the final stages, these latest spy images came as a shock to us. The production bumpers and twin oval exhaust system were removed for some tests. But what could be so important that Audi engineers would decide to take a step back?
Well, how about finding out how the TT-RS compares to similarly priced performance cars that come from different niches? From our point of view, the most important of the three production cars joining the TT is that little green hatchback at the front. The color tells us that this is the facelift version of the Mercedes-AMG A45, the one that had its output increased from 360 to 381 PS.
It and its brothers (the GLA 45 and CLA 45) are forever going to be a thorn in Audi's side. That's because they all share a 2.0-liter turbo with a little bit more power than the legendary 2.5 TFSI. During the facelift, Mercedes also installed shorter gears and an optional mechanical front diff, while tweaking the software for the gearbox.
We honestly don't know what the Cayman GT4 and Lotus Evora are doing in the company of two AWD cars with small turbocharged engines. In a straight line, the TT-RS is going to be faster than the Cayman, but that's like realizing that Emma Watson is better at making pancakes than Angela Merkel. Yeah, so what?
Porsche makes some of the best chassis, engines and gearboxes in the world. Meanwhile, Audi is known for making fast sledgehammer cars with all-weather grip and not much to offer in the handling department.
Maybe, just maybe, Audi can find a way to give the TT-RS as much steering feel as a Porsche Cayman GT4. But we don't think Audi fans will care if their coupe is faster than a car made by Lotus, which sold 1,300 sportscars in the 2013 fiscal year. Still, win on Sunday, sell on Monday - that's what NASCAR people used to say.
It and its brothers (the GLA 45 and CLA 45) are forever going to be a thorn in Audi's side. That's because they all share a 2.0-liter turbo with a little bit more power than the legendary 2.5 TFSI. During the facelift, Mercedes also installed shorter gears and an optional mechanical front diff, while tweaking the software for the gearbox.
We honestly don't know what the Cayman GT4 and Lotus Evora are doing in the company of two AWD cars with small turbocharged engines. In a straight line, the TT-RS is going to be faster than the Cayman, but that's like realizing that Emma Watson is better at making pancakes than Angela Merkel. Yeah, so what?
Porsche makes some of the best chassis, engines and gearboxes in the world. Meanwhile, Audi is known for making fast sledgehammer cars with all-weather grip and not much to offer in the handling department.
Maybe, just maybe, Audi can find a way to give the TT-RS as much steering feel as a Porsche Cayman GT4. But we don't think Audi fans will care if their coupe is faster than a car made by Lotus, which sold 1,300 sportscars in the 2013 fiscal year. Still, win on Sunday, sell on Monday - that's what NASCAR people used to say.
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