Whether it’s us regular folk who need to associate value with our purchases, or the wealthy who love a good deal, we’re all after as much as possible for as little as possible. Recently, I had access to what I feel is the best value for money sports car currently on sale in South Africa, the Audi TT RS.
Potent looks
The TT has always presented the German brand’s stylish side; the first generation still looks fresh some 20 years on. But in my opinion, this latest RS is the first time that the TT has been made to look overtly sporty.
The larger air intakes, honeycomb front grille framed by brushed aluminium and featuring the quattro insignia along with another brushed aluminium front splitter makes the car look positively evil.
In side profile, the massive optional 20-inch wheels and protruding side skirts really emphasise the short overhangs, while at the rear, there’s a fixed wing as standard (the press unit had a retractable unit), a new rear diffuser and two massive black tipped exhaust exits on each side.
The fact that the press unit was finished in Vegas Yellow probably goes a long way to explain all of the attention the car received, however, I’m certain that the RS will garner attention in any hue.
TT interior
The latest TT interior is a masterclass in simplistic and sophisticated design. The Virtual Cockpit was first introduced in this model and with a distinct lack of a central display, the system really does highlight the driver’s input. Audi markets the car as being able to carry four occupants, but in reality, those taller than 1.5 metres simply won’t fit in the back.
The general fit and finish, the R8-style steering wheel, optional red-stitched leather and overall functionality of the interior made driving the TT an absolute pleasure, although I must say, the climate control system being housed within the central vents still takes some getting used to.
That powertrain
There aren’t many things on the wrong side of two-million rand that will stick with the TT RS in the performance department. The heavily revised 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder motor is now 26kg lighter, a significant detail from a brand known to lump too much weight over the front axle of its RS models.
The improved mill produces 294kW/480Nm and is mated to a revised seven-speed S tronic gearbox. This means that the TT can get to 100km/h from zero in just 3.7 seconds, and run the quarter mile in a shade under 12.0 seconds, both figures proven in local conditions.
Then we get to the really good part, the sound that five-cylinder mill emits at full chat. It sounds like the quattro rally car from the 80s, especially with the sports exhaust activated. I burnt through way more fuel than I should have, just to hear it gargle and pop on the overrun or to have it roar its way to the redline.
Is it a sports car?
The previous generation TT RS was one of my first high-performance test cars and I remember it being a bit of a one-trick pony; supremely fast in a straight line but prone to understeer and blunt driving dynamics.
The latest variant is better, more urgent on turn-in and more engaging. However, it is still predisposed to understeer when you’re really pushing it. Through faster corners, the car feels stable and very difficult to unsettle.
It’s not the most fun or hair-raising experience in the twisty bits, but it is extremely effective. Therefore, to answer my own question, yes, the TT RS is most certainly a sports car.
Verdict
There are very few cars that surprise me these days, but the TT RS most certainly impressed me with its accelerative forces and supercar-levelling performance.
I must admit though, the RS3 sedan did prepare me for the savagery of the latest five-cylinder RS Audi products, which did soften the impact of the TT’s performance.That being said, between the two RS3 models and the TT RS, you will be hard-pressed to go faster for under R1-million.
Price
Audi TT RS Coupe quattro: R962 000
