Howdy and welcome to the 2012 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance race, where we're bringing you a special treat: an in-camera livestream of the race from our pal Robb Holland's insanely-overpowered front-wheel-drive Audi TT-RS racecar.

Five cylinder engines get no love these days. Long considered an oddball configuration with neither the power of a six nor the fuel economy of a four, the straight-five was only ever really embraced by a handful of carmakers.

The new 2012 Audi TT RS has loads to brag about: Ludicrous power, astounding grip and a luxurious interior that smells of nutmeg. It's even manual only (in the U.S.). But does the TT RS live up to Audi's turbocharged, inline-five legend? And can you even get one? We found out.

If these three pictures don't get you excited about the 24 hours of Nürburgring, we think you may be at the wrong website. The guys from Drivecult captured a few of the very drool worthy cars that will be racing at today's 24 Hours of Nürburgring during qualifying runs yesterday.

GRiP Magazine decided to test three cars (Challenger SRT8, Techart Magnum, MTM TT-RS) against a Schnitzer-tuned BMW 123d police car by robbing a bank three times. We're certain this is fake, but you never know mit ze Germans.

Not only is the Audi S3 rumored to get bumped up to RS-trim, loose lips are saying it will get the same 340 HP turbo inline-five out of the Audi TT-RS.

(Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, shown next to an Audi TT RS, made a surprise visit to the Geneva Motor Show. — Audi PR)

It's official, the 2010 Audi TT RS has a turbocharged direct-injection inline-five cylinder which makes 335 HP and 331 lb-ft of torque. It does 0-to-62 MPH in 4.7 seconds and returns 25 MPG. Swoon.

The first official shots of the 2010 Audi TT RS, set to debut in Geneva, reveal a sportier appearance to match the turbocharged 340 HP 2.5-liter inline-five cylinder engine.