Audi TT RS
Flagship TT is the most potent car on test. We see if it has edge elsewhere, too
THE RS is the flagship of the Audi TT range, and at £52,480, it’s also one of the priciest models in the line-up. Still, with 395bhp this car has some pretty serious performance up its sleeve. It’s the most powerful model here, but also the heaviest, so can it match two talented rivals for pace and handling?
Design & engineering
WHILE the other models here are bespoke mid-engined sports cars, the TT RS is based on the same platform as the far more conventional Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3.
It uses the VW Group’s versatile MQB platform, but don’t think the chassis is miles behind those of its competitors here, because Audi engineers had a hand in the joint project to ensure it could deliver sports car thrills to match the coupé class leaders.
Also, the TT RS features plenty of bespoke parts to turn it into a true rival for the Alpine and Cayman. These include its party piece: a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine with 395bhp. It’s not often you see an engine with five cylinders, and this one gives the TT RS so much more character than if it was simply a tuned-up four-cylinder unit like that in the TT S.
There’s also Rs-specific steering tuning and suspension parts, and a quattro four-wheel-drive system that, unlike similar set-ups on other hot front-engined MQB cars, can send up to 100 per cent of drive to the rear wheels when needed. It uses Macpherson struts at the front and a multi-link rear set-up, which is much more conventional than the suspension arrangements in the other two cars here.
The seating position is much higher than in either rival, but the sports seats offer plenty of support. There’s also a part-alcantara steering wheel that sits in front of a standard 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit display screen rather than dials.
LED headlights, an active exhaust, sat-nav, DAB, Bluetooth and cruise control are standard, while features such as a £1,000 sports exhaust, Audi’s £995 Magnetic Ride adaptive suspension and £945 Matrix LED headlights are optional to match the A110 and 718.
Driving
THERE’S real rally heritage present in the Audi, just like there is in the Alpine A110. With the TT RS, it’s the quattro four-wheel-drive system and turbocharged five-cylinder engine that remind us of Audi’s impressive record in the sport in the eighties.
The engine dominates the car. It defines the way the TT drives and is ballistic. There’s a little turbo lag, but as the revs rise the noise is intoxicating, turning from a deep growl into a musical wail. And with 480Nm of torque available from 1,700rpm, the Audi makes its advantage pay in a straight line.
It sprinted from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds, which is partly because of the engine’s power output, partly down to the quattro four-wheeldrive system and partly thanks to the swift seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The box isn’t quite as rapid as the PDK unit in the Porsche, but is a match for the Alpine’s DCT transmission.
A heavy kerbweight and longer gearing meant it was a tenth of a second behind the Alpine from 30-50mph in third gear, taking just 2.1 seconds. It completed the same test in fourth gear in 3.3 seconds, though, which was slower than both rivals but still blisteringly fast in a wider context.
Exploiting the TT RS’S engine is great fun, so it’s a shame the handling doesn’t quite match it for engagement. The Audi is very grippy and composed, but because it’s quite heavy, it just doesn’t have the agility or balance of the Alpine or Porsche. While the steering is fast and accurate enough, it doesn’t t relay the same feedback as its competitors.
It does ride fairly well, and even feels relatively smooth at low speed, but the lightweight Alpine and superbly set-up Porsche have the Audi’s measure for smoothness as well, especially on a bumpy B-road.
The Audi is arguably the best motorway cruiser; there’s road noise in all three but wind roar is minimal here and the standard cruise control, comfy seats and useful driver aids mean it’s best for longer trips.
Practicality
A 305-litre boot means the Audi is by far the most practical car here, especially as the hatchback offers easy access to luggage as well. There are also two small rear seats; these are very compact and can only really be used by children, but they provide an area for extra luggage.
Storage in the cabin is better than in its rivals, too, with a large tray in front of the gearlever, adequate door bins, a glovebox and a cubby between the seats.
Ownership
ALTHOUGH neither of the other brands here ranked in Driver Power 2018, Audi finished 18th – not a particularly strong result for a premium manufacturer.
Safety should be better, with the standard TT achieving a four-star Euro NCAP rating (the other cars haven’t been tested). Safety equipment includes active lane assist, while blind spot assist is a £595 extra. As with the other cars, AEB doesn’t feature.
Running costs
THE Audi TT RS returned the lowest economy figure on test, at 23.0mpg overall on our mixed route.
It’s also more expensive as a company car than its rivals thanks to 187g/km CO2 emissions; a higherrate earner will pay £7,636 a year in Benefit-in-kind tax to run the Audi, while the Porsche (167g/km) will cost £7,324 and the Alpine just £3,224 thanks to its much lower CO2 emissions of just 138g/km.
Both the Alpine and Porsche cost our example driver £665 a year in insurance, while the Audi brings a slightly lower premium of £640 a year.