If a fun and practical sports car is a bucket-list item, the Audi TT RS coup茅 is definitely to be considered.
It tops the base TT and midgrade TTS in the brand鈥檚 pecking order. All three require mastery of the 鈥渄uck-and-cover鈥� manoeuvre as the TT involves folding your body upon entry and exit.
The car鈥檚 extra-low roofline 鈥� a TT feature ever since the first-generation model rolled off the assembly line two decades ago 鈥� and an equally low seating position contribute to a cosy environment, enhanced by first-rate leather-trimmed sport seats and a thick flat-bottom steering wheel. There鈥檚 plenty of legroom for those in front, but hardly any for the people piled into the back seat. It鈥檚 a spot best used for supplemental stowage.
The modifiable gauge layout 鈥� part of Audi鈥檚 Virtual Cockpit display 鈥� is a marvel of efficiency and is relatively easy to master.
The control knobs for temperature, climate and the heated seats are smartly located in the centre of the dashboard鈥檚 five circular air vents.
The exterior鈥檚 distinguishing characteristics include a fixed rear wing and aero cladding that鈥檚 attached to the rocker panels.
Once you鈥檙e aboard, the TT RS proves its mettle, after you鈥檝e pushed the steering-wheel-mounted start button, put the car into gear and tipped into the gas pedal. At this point, prepare to be amused, delighted and thrilled.
Much of the fun comes from a turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine that produces 394 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. By comparison, the midrange TTS model has 292聽horses and 280 pound-feet, which is produced by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder. The base TT gets by with 220聽horsepower and 258 pound-feet.
A seven-speed paddle-shift transmission is standard fare. This efficient unit helps the RS achieve fuel-economy ratings of 12.0 l/100 km in the city, 8.3 on the highway and 10.3 combined.
Audi鈥檚 permanently engaged Quattro all-wheel drive is standard. The system varies front-to-rear power split as needed and sends nearly 100 per cent of the torque to the rear tires under hard acceleration. That 鈥� and the transmission 鈥� is what helps launch the car to 100 km/h from rest in 3.7 seconds, a full second quicker than the TTS, says Audi.
Another handy aid is Driver Select, which has Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual (set up by the driver) modes. Each has specific settings for the transmission shifting, throttle response, shock damping and steering effort. Serious drivers will likely use the more aggressive Dynamic setting since it鈥檚 the one that makes the RS act and sound more like a racecar. When decelerating, the exhaust burbles and backfires and the transmission鈥檚 rev-matching program creates smooth downshifts (and it sounds downright sexy, too).
For extra-rapid acceleration, the launch control (also a standard feature) produces the quickest possible forward motion with virtually no loss of traction.
Once up to speed, the TT RS steers, stops and corners with confidence-boosting authority. The ride is a tad harsh, even in Comfort mode 鈥� the softest setting 鈥� but it鈥檚 about what you would expect from a near supercar.
Although the TT RS is best enjoyed on dry land, with the Quattro system doing its job it can be just as much fun in the snow. Being able to use the car throughout the four seasons certainly helps rationalize your purchase (along with a back seat) over a car such as the Porsche 718 Cayman or the Chevrolet Corvette.
At $75,700, including destination charges, you get a leather interior, heated eight-way power front seats with body-hugging pneumatic side bolsters, metal pedals and 19-inch wheels.
Optional are fade-resistant carbon-ceramic brake rotors, 12-speaker Bang and Olufsen audio, diamond-stitched leather seats, carbon-fibre trim and engine cover and 20-inch wheels.
Other than blind-spot monitoring, the TT RS has no other active-safety technology (emergency braking, pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning, etc.).
What you do get is a smart, stylish coupe that鈥檚 docile around town and more than eager to flex its bulging muscles when called upon.
Just remember to duck before entering.
