4.1 Second Dash To 60 MPH: Audi Prices TT-RS

With its highest performance models, it seemed like Audi would keep them to its home market of Germany and other countries in Europe. That has changed though, with the RS5 and TT-RS coming to the United States. Audi launched an innovative campaign for the TT-RS that asked potential customers to express their interest.

Following that, the car’s U.S-arrival was announced. Its a testament to Audi’s growing reach and sales numbers that the company is approving as many sports models as this. These halo models are no doubt important to Audi’s brand image though. After quite some time since the announcement, Audi has released pricing information for the new car.

If you were expecting it to come cheap, you were mistaken. With performance figures like the TT-RS has though, that is to be expected. The car starts at $56,850, with the MSRP coming in well under the critical $60,000 mark. However, it could get close as that figure doesn’t include destination charges, taxes, title and dealer charges, not to mention any options.

The TT-RS includes standard features like Audi’s magnetic ride, which constantly adapts to changing road conditions. The car has a sport mode that stiffens the suspension, increases throttle responsiveness and even changes the exhaust note via flaps in the exhaust system. Pretty neat stuff! The TT-RS is the first car to mark the return of Audi’s RS moniker in the U.S. The RS5 is soon to follow later.

The car is powered by Audi’s award-winning turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder. It makes 360 horsepower and 343 pound feet of torque. Those numbers power the TT-RS to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. Pretty amazing how quick cars are getting, this was supercar territory recently. Audi says this 0-60 number is the fastest in its class.

That number is helped by Audi’s ASF aluminum and steel hybrid technology. The space frame for the TT-RS consists of 69% aluminum and 31% steel. That means a 48% weight reduction over a standard steel frame. Overall the TT-RS weighs in at 3,306 pounds. The TT-RS is hitting dealerships soon; Audi says it goes on sale this summer.

Filed Under: Audi • Car News