A member of Audi's technical development management board told Autovisie Magazine a new RS3 may be forthcoming and with it the massively powerful direct injection turbo 2.5-liter, which propels the TT-RS to a wicked 0-to-62 MPH time of just 4.6 seconds with a near-180 MPH top speed. If it does come down from the mountain expect it to get the same ovular exhaust treatment out back and lampless large-vent design up front, as well as red seat piping and other accents inside.

[Autovisie Magazine via 4wheelsnews]

We knew the super-TT would be something to make note of, but Ingolstadt has delivered numbers which simultaneously confuse and delight. An inline-5 you say? Why yes. Turbocharged and direct injection? Indeed. 335 HP between 5,400 and 6,700 RPM and 331 lb-ft of torque from 1,600 to 5,300 RPM? Seems impossible, but it is so. The little devil of a 2.5 liter spoons up superman-sized quantities of thrust capable of shooting this fahrzeug to 62 MPH in a scant 4.7 seconds. Darn respectable for such a car tipping in at 3,196 lbs. Of course, that time is highly dependent on whether you option the six-speed manual transmission

But it's not all about going fast down the drag strip, in addition to the upgraded brakes, dampers, springs and anti-roll bars of the regular TT RS, there is an optional magnetorheological damper system like that of the Corvette ZR1, and the active damping system works in concert with the other electronic nannies to insure maximum handling prowess.

UK Prices start at £42,980 for the coupe and £44,880 for the Roadster, expect puddles of drool on the shop floor when you go to order yours.

POTENT NEW AUDI TT RS TAKES FIVE IN GENEVA

Latest standard bearer for celebrated Audi RS range pays homage to 1980s quattros with high-tech five-cylinder power

* New TT RS Coupe and Roadster debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show (March 5th to 15th) and open for UK order in late March priced at £42,980 OTR for the Coupe and £44,880 OTR for the Roadster - first deliveries in June
* First modern day Audi model since the emblematic quattro coupes of the 1980s to feature charismatic five-cylinder power in a new high-tech form that makes 340PS and 30mpg a reality
* 340PS from 5,400rpm to 6,700rpm, 450Nm from 1,600rpm to 5,300rpm, 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds (Roadster 4.7 seconds), top speed limited to 155mph but can be increased at extra cost to 174mph, combined mpg 30.7 (Roadster 29.7mpg)
* RS 4-style Sport button boosts throttle response and further enriches exhaust note
* New six-speed manual transmission, enhanced quattro system capable of diverting almost all torque output rearwards, TT RS-specific sports chassis lowered by 10mm (Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping available at extra cost)

At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show (March 5th to 15th) the spirit of the revolutionary Audi quattro coupés of the 1980s will be reborn for the 21st Century in the TT RS, a remarkable fusion of these two emotive modern day Audi hallmarks equipped with a new high-tech, 340PS interpretation of the quattro's evocative five-cylinder turbo engine. Available to order in the UK in Coupe and Roadster forms from late March priced at £42,980 OTR and £44,880 OTR, the new high performance sports cars will reach their first customers in June.

The successor to the five-cylinder, 200PS-plus turbo charged petrol engine that delivered premier league power with a famously charismatic engine note in the rally-bred quattro road cars of the Eighties blends that same unmistakeable acoustic character with performance and economy that epitomises the modern day Audi RS.

Ultra compact, and weighing in at a low 183kg, the new TFSI engine is a perfect accompaniment to the lightweight aluminium and steel hybrid TT bodyshell, helping to keep the kerb weight of the RS Coupe down to 1,450kg, and contributing to an exceptional power-to-weight ratio of 234PS per ton. This weight consciousness is reflected in a 4.6-second 0-62mph sprint time and, more unexpectedly for an overtly performance focussed sports car, in a combined fuel economy figure of 30.7 mpg. In common with many high performance Audi models, the TT RS is electronically limited at the factory to a top speed of 155mph, but for the fortunate few enjoying regular access to derestricted tarmac, the limit can be raised at extra cost to 174mph.

RS 4-style Sport button
The prodigious power is accessed by way of a new rapid-shifting six-speed close ratio manual gearbox, and the exhilarating surge triggered by each successive gear shift is enlivened by a sonorous soundtrack that is a much loved trademark of five-cylinder engines. This addictive accompaniment can be further amplified by pressing a Sport button on the transmission tunnel which not only alters throttle response but also opens a flap in the left exhaust tailpipe to further intensify the exhaust sound.

To ensure that the high levels of torque involved are employed as gainfully as possible the latest incarnation of the hydraulic multi-plate-clutch-based quattro system designed specifically for transverse engine installations oversees measured transmission to the four driven wheels. The hydraulic clutch is capable of directing the majority of torque from front to rear if sensors deem this necessary.

The equilibrium made possible by quattro drive and by the counterbalancing effect of positioning the hybrid body's 31% steel content (Roadster 42%) towards the rear contributes to a feeling of exceptional neutrality on challenging roads. The sophisticated, aluminium-intensive McPherson strut front and four-link rear suspension with RS-specific settings backs this up with incredible agility and composure.

At extra cost the standard sports chassis can also be equipped with the Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping system incorporating sophisticated dampers filled with a magnetorheological fluid containing minute magnetic particles that can be influenced by an electromagnetic field. By applying a voltage to the system's electromagnets, the viscosity of the fluid is altered by the affected magnetic particles, increasing resistance to damper movement to iron out pitch and roll when necessary, and reducing resistance when ride comfort takes precedence.

ESP with Sport mode
The reassurance to drive the TT with the conviction that befits an RS model is provided by sizeable ventilated disc brakes with black four-piston aluminium calipers and diameters of 370mm at the front and 310mm at the rear. The Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) adds to that reassurance without excessively numbing performance or dulling feedback and adjustability thanks to its Sport mode, which prevents the system from retarding engine output to monitor traction and delays braking intervention for as long as possible. ESP can also be fully switched off.

From their sizeable, air-gulping front intakes, through extended side sills and stunning 18-inch 5 twin-spoke alloy wheels to the downforce-maximising fixed rear spoiler and enlarged oval tailpipes, the latest TTs signal intent but with a degree of restraint that is in keeping with Audi RS tradition. Customers wanting to keep the lowest possible profile can even opt to replace the fixed rear spoiler with a more discreet version which raises and retracts automatically.

Inside, the highly favoured TT sports interior is finished exclusively in black, with brushed aluminium inlays and aluminium footrests and pedals providing contrast and RS logos adorning the heated Silk Nappa leather sports seats, the thickly-rimmed flat-bottomed steering wheel, the rev counter and the door sill trims. True to Audi RS form, the standard Driver's Information System has additional displays for boost pressure and oil temperature, and also includes a lap timer for circuit use.

Customers looking for maximum differentiation can add 19-inch or 20-inch wheels, bucket seats with folding backrests and even Ibis White or Phantom black painted interior inlays at extra cost, in addition to the latest navigation and multimedia options.

Photo Credit: autoblog.nl

Audi has just dropped a press release which in a previous age could have been easily mistaken as one from Bentley or Rolls-Royce. Acceleration is described as "Nowhere near five seconds to reach 100 km/h," passing is called "child's play" and the brakes are "stupendous." Marketingspeak aside, we now have official confirmation of the return of an Audi five-cylinder. This 340 HP turbocharged direct injection 2.5-liter I5 mated to an all-wheel-drive system which will no-doubt be "adequate" when marched around the twisty bits. We'll be getting more all details when the car is unveiled next month at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

The Audi TT RS: Sporty Powerhouse with Five Cylinders

* This top model will debut at the Geneva Auto Show
* Direct gasoline injection and a turbocharger deliver far more than 300 bhp
* Top-notch chassis, big brakes, and quattro drivetrain

Audi is once again producing a five-cylinder powerhouse: the Audi TT RS will be unveiled to the world at the Geneva Auto Show. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter engine produces well above 300 bhp. It also delivers explosive acceleration, driving delight, and unrivaled sound.

A legend is reborn. After all, powerful five-cylinder gasoline engines have a long legacy at Audi. And the turbocharged direct-fuel-injection engine in the TT RS is the new torchbearer of this dynamic tradition. It enables the TT RS to perform extraordinary feats. For example, it needs nowhere near five seconds to reach 100 km/h (62.14 mph); overtaking is child's play; and 250 km/h (155.34 mph) is the limited top speed only on paper.

The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, a sophisticated chassis, and stupendous brakes keep a tight rein on the power. All in all, the compact TT RS - with its lightweight and largely aluminum body constructed as per the Audi Space Frame principle - is a driving machine to be reckoned with.

Additional information will be available during the Audi Press Conference at the Geneva Auto Show on March 3, 2009 (Hall 1, Booth 1060).

To be officially revealed at next month's Geneva Motor Show, the TT RS will be available as both Coupe and Roadster models. Audi has equipped the TT RS with a new turbocharged 5-cylinder engine with direct-injection and a capacity of 2.5-liters.

The result is an output of 340 HP and a maximum torque of 331.9 lb-ft. The sporty TT uses Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system with power being transferred through a six-speed manual gearbox. In terms of performance, Audi says that the TT RS will have a 0-to-62 time of under five seconds with a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph.
CarScoop's also got some engine sounds in a YouTube video. Check it out via the link below!

[CarScoop via CarPlatform]

The folks over at iMotor Mag got the same teaser shot we'd found in our e-mail box over the weekend. They made some calls to the folks at Audi, confirming what we already knew — that the TT-RS is most certainly to be unveiled in Geneva. But this so-called TT-RS teaser is actually an Audi TT mk1 with an optional spoiler affixed to it and as iMotor puts it: "the image is likely the work of someone with Photoshop and plenty of time on their hands over the weekend." [via imotormag]

Spy Report
Audi's hottest-ever TT — the upcoming TT-RS — will also be offered as a drop-top, and we just caught the cleanest prototype yet running on public roads near the Nürburgring. The TT-RS' gaping front intakes, upgraded wheel, tire, and brake package, and unique dual-oval exhaust tips separate the RS from lesser TTs.

The TT-RS was originally pegged to have a turbocharged, VW-sourced 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, but new speculation suggests that Audi's new 3.0-liter TFSI V6 may get the nod instead. Either way, the TT-RS
should easily exceed 300 horsepower, for a sports car experience that can finally live up to the TT's looks.

According to those on the scene, it wasn't the register of a five-cylinder engine but rather the "thrum of a cliche-smooth V6." Could this mean the rumors of Audi taking the 3.6-liter V6 from the Passat R36 and trying to squeeze it into the TT were true? We're not sure, but like Fox Mulder: we want to believe. [Bridge To Gantry]

Unsatisfied with the mechanical hotness of Audi's new TT? Edmunds Inside Line is reporting two up-spec'd TT models are on the way, following a similar performance-badging continuum as Audi's more conventional lines. Adding to a recent missive in Motor Trend, Edmunds says at hand are the TT-S for 2007 and TT-RS for 2008. The TT-S will have similiar hardware as the company's new S3 hatch — that is, 265 hp from its turbocharged 2.0-liter four — though the TT could get additional horsepower by way of engine tweaks. The TT-RS won't get the 3.6-liter V6, as many had speculated. Instead, it'll reportedly get a turbo'd version of the North American Jetta's 2.5-liter five-cylinder, fitted with an identical cylinder head configuration as the company's 5.2-liter V10, and producing in the neighborhood of 365 hp. Transmission choices will allegedly include six-speed manual and a 7-speed version of the Tiptronic autobox. We're still waiting for the transverse-mounted V8. – Mike Spinelli

New Breed: Two Performance Audi TTs Will Highlight Second-Gen [Edmunds]

Related:
Report: Audi Working on Super TT [internal]