Audi TT RS heads for US

The United States is going to get the Audi TT RS, after all. Audi of America will begin importing the hottest TT at around this time next year, albeit only in coupe form.


The decision was, apparently, partly influenced by a Facebook campaign to bring the car to the US, with Audi feeling that many of the 11,500 signatories to the petition were likely to be buyers. Not teenagers still years off getting a driving licence sitting in their bedrooms, then.

Interestingly, it seems that the US spec TT RS will be more powerful than versions currently sold in other territories. That’s because the 2.5 litre TFSI five-cylinder engine is set to have an output of 360 bhp (268 kW / 365 PS), instead of the usual 335 bhp (250 kW / 340 PS). Whether that has much impact on performance remains to be seen as, despite the extra horsepower, the quoted 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration time remains unchanged at 4.6 seconds.

360 bhp is a big leap compared to the most powerful TT already on sale across the Atlantic, the TTS. That model, which in the States only comes with the six-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission, has ‘just’ 268 bhp (200 kW / 272 PS), which is nevertheless impressive for a 2.0 litre engine.

Naturally the TT RS, like the TTS, features Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel drive system, although the only gearbox available is a normal six-speed manual.

US pricing has yet to be confirmed but, if a similar structure to Europe is adopted, expect a premium of around 25% over the $47,875 (including destination charges) that a TTS currently costs.

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