The first was a monster. World rally champion Walter Röhrl (75) on the first Audi TT “Too dangerous!” said. Boundary space is very narrow – and indeed some new Audi sports coupés flew in shortly after their debut in 1998: The design of the round two-seater was groundbreaking, but its aerodynamics were deceptive because there was so much lift underneath. at high speeds the rear allowed this to explode.
But as soon as Audi promised improvements and introduced electronic stability control (ESP) and a spoiler lip for the rear, the TT hit the bestseller list. The first work in 1995 was a finger exercise by then Audi design boss Peter Schreyer (69). But the audience at the IAA in Frankfurt a. Main (D) applauded, and three years later the TT was launched as a coupé; A year later the roadster followed. The current third generation has been rolling on our streets since 2014 and is now making its way into siding. It will be finished in eight years and if it has a successor it will surely come completely electrical.
400 extra hp
But in the end there is again great service. The first TT was already available from 150 hp (110 kW), the final chord is now the 400 hp (294 kW) Audi TT RS Coupé Iconic Edition. Absolutely limited – only 100 pieces will be produced. Its crazy 2.5-liter turbo is probably the most extravagant petrol engine you can buy right now. With five cylinders, it sounds like it’s constantly out of step, delivers a maximum torque of 480 Newton meters at almost 6000 rpm and is high-tech down to the last detail, from the hollow crankshaft to the magnesium housing. In the sportiest driving mode, every downshift explodes, as if the tailpipes are sucking stones out of the asphalt.
All 100 vehicles will be painted in Nardo gray, a nod to the Italian test track, where most RS models have completed validation tests. Matte black can be found on 20-inch seven-spoke wheels and brake calipers and front splitter, powerful oval tailpipes and a fixed carbon fiber rear spoiler. It also dominates the interior – there’s only a contrasting color on the two-tone leather seats and Alcantara with yellow stitching.
five stroke tubes
The start of the test round – 1-2-4-5-3, the cylinders fire in this order and give their own sound. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission has a shorter than normal first gear ratio for sharper acceleration; The long designed seventh gear is designed to help save fuel. All-wheel drive comes with four drive programs, from comfort to individuality, as well as intervening throttle response, transmission, steering and exhaust sound. Braking is done with eight pistons per wheel and carbon-ceramic discs. We set off from the Monteblanco racetrack near Seville (Spain) using the launch control: left foot on the brake, right foot on the accelerator until the tachometer indicated 3500 RPM. Now release the brake pedal and hit the road. If it needs to be up to 280 km/h.
Even without the rather pointless launch control, the Audi TT RS would be a hammer on the racetrack. The so-called Selective Torque Control (a function of the ESP) can gently brake the wheels on the inside of the bend if the TT RS is about to lose traction – then the two-seater will feel as if the car is being pulled straight. curve. But you should not expect comfort from the sports suspension.
Audi’s latest TT special comes literally from the last century: Combustion engines can be so cool – the 400 hp five-cylinder engine literally screams that. But soon their time will be over. If an electric successor arrives in the future, it should be equally breathtaking but much quieter. Running to the garage, however, is futile: all 100 parts of the TT’s Iconic Edition have long been sold out – apparently so fast that none of them made it to Switzerland.