TT RS – that’s the one, dear

GORGEOUS: VEGAS YELLOW – WHAT A DIFFERENCE SHADE MAKES TO THIS FELLOW

My wife is so not a petrolhead like me. One of the first test cars I brought home was a Mercedes-Benz E500. She stood at the garage doors while I drooled and said, simply: “close up everything and come to bed”.

Then when I scraped a Ferrari F355 F1 across the gate rail coming up the driveway, she couldn’t care less. Ditto with the Audi R8 and Merc SLS supercars.

But when I returned home to find the Audi TT RS in its standout coat of Vegas Yellow, parked there earlier by the delivery driver, it was different.

Unbidden, she volunteered: “It’s gorgeous!”

I walked around the car. I had to agree. I had seen the press pack photos of this R1 million supercar (because that’s what it is) and they were in the sort of dull gun-metal grey which is favoured by Europeans. We colonials (or is that colonised?) prefer our hues slightly brighter.

When the car went back a week later – after colleague and videographer Shaun had briefly sampled it – that was the thing which remained top of mind for me. The colour.

Not the fact that this little coupe, with 294kW from an amazing five-cylinder turbopetrol engine will blow almost everything else on four wheels into the weeds. Not the fact that it had a crystal-clear Bang and Olufsen sound system. Not that it had special spec, red brake calipers, nor that it had a boot spoiler which appeared magically at 120km/h.

The colour. What a difference a shade makes…

Don’t get me wrong, though. I am still in awe of the sheer engineering achievement this car represents. And how much of a bargain it is. A bargain?

R1 million-plus is what our test car cost (including the extras). That’s expensive for a car … but damn cheap for a supercar. The TT RS will hit 100km/h in 3.7 seconds, even up in our rarified Highveld air – according to tests run by colleague Mark Jones. That will take out the said R8, SLS and a Lamborghini or two to boot.

And, with the exceptional Quattro all-wheel-drive system, you will have that huge reserve of grip and safety. Not to mention that when you activate the exhaust valve switch, an amazing sound track from that unique engine. Additionally, the changes from the six-speed S-Tronic gearbox are lightning fast, whether one leaves the system in “Sport” mode or does the shifting yourself through the perfectly placed paddles on the steering wheel.

Because it’s an Audi, you get the best cabin in the business. I love sliding into an Audi cockpit because it is, clearly, designed by people who love cars and who know how to deliver perfect tactile experiences. And then there’s the clever “virtual cockpit” which is becoming a signature for the VW/Audi group. So, then, what’s not to like about the TT RS?

Well, specced with the 20inch wheels, the ride is firm in the adjustable suspension’s “Comfort” mode and harsh in the “Sport” setting. Put your foot down and you’re never going to get anywhere near Audi’s claim of fuel consumption of 8.2 litres per 100km. More like 13 litres/100km in the city … with a light foot. Get carried away and it will be a lot worse.

The really problematic thing about the TT RS, for me anyway, is that for R200 000 less, I can get its lesser-powered, but infinitely more easy-to-live-with TTS sibling. That has 206kW on tap, is only a second or so slower to 100km/h, gives you better fuel consumption and about 80% of the experience you get with the range topper.

And, I’d get it in Vegas Yellow. For you, my dear …

It hits 100km/h in 3.7sec. That will take out the R8, SLS and a Lamborghini to boot.