The Crittenden Automotive Library

Audi TT RS Plus - The Pursuit Of The Best

Topics: Audi TT

Audi TT RS Plus - The Pursuit Of The Best

Geoff Maxted
DriveWrite
January 1, 2014

It is 1st January and my mouth has all the qualities of an old attic. It’s dry, dusty and full of lingering memories; not all of them good. Inside my head Ewoks work feverishly with mallets. Every year it’s the same. Why do I put myself through it? Happy New Year, by the way.

Whilst waiting for the aspirin to kick in I considered some of my favourite drives of 2013. You’ve already seen my overall favourite elsewhere, but running close up alongside trying to overtake is this - the Audi TT RS Plus. This car could possibly have won overall; it’s that good. As I have complained before, a half-hour outing is never enough to truly evaluate a car but the opportunity to have a go thanks to Audi was too good to pass up.

This TT is powered by a transversely mounted 2.5L five-pot TFSI engine supported by the legendary Quattro four-wheel drive. Power peaks at a chunky 355bhp (that’s an increase of 20bhp over the regular TT RS) with 343lbft of torque. The limiter is also raised from 155mph to 174. The extra power cuts 0.2 seconds from the sprint time to 4.3 seconds for the six-speed manual, or 4.1 with the optional lightning-fast seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch ‘box. That’s the one I tested with its throaty throttle blip on up-shifts augmented by all-around aural sensations. Seriously, this is the version you want despite the price tag of almost £50k, including the options fitted.

This car is mighty quick. The mix of engine power and relative lightness aided by the Quattro technology means that progress is super-swift and super-safe with traction you can really feel. Once again other testers thought the steering too light but, as I have mentioned before, I don’t have an issue with it. Sure, it’s very light at low speeds but for me it weights up nicely the faster the tarmac streaks by underneath.

The version tested had Audi’s ‘magnetic ride’ option on board. This allows the driver to regulate the damping forces of the suspension depending on the road conditions. There are two modes: ‘Normal’ which gives a more comfortable drive, while ‘Sport’ stiffens the suspension to reduce pitching and rolling. Audi magnetic ride also interprets the prevailing road conditions to improve road behaviour, ride comfort and handling. Not cheap at £970 but on our roads it is worth it in my opinion. When buying a sports car like this, why skimp?

The cabin is pretty much the same as that of other TTs, apart from some RS badging. Build quality is, as you would expect from the German brand, first-rate. It’s easy to get comfortable at the wheel as the sports seats are supportive and the chunky flat-bottomed steering wheel is good to grip. Obviously the Audi’s rear seats are only suitable for visiting party Ewoks but it is just possible to squeeze in an occasional passenger; standard form really, for a car of this type.

On Britain’s roads the Audi TT RS Plus is blistering fast and - despite possible howls of protest - is a tad faster than and as good as, IMHO, the similarly priced Cayman. There - I’ve dared to say it. Don’t shout at me - I’ve got a headache.