Audi Oz wants more power for TT

AUDI is planning to keep its Australian performance-hungry punters satisfied by only considering more powerful variants for its TT sportscar – including a “no-brainer” TT RS flagship.

Only a pumped-up S version of the current 2.0-litre TT Coupe and Roadster has been confirmed to arrive on Australian soil later this year, but if an even more potent RS was to be chalked for production, Audi says it would certainly put its hand up.

Speaking at the local launch of the new TT Roadster, Audi Australia product planning manager Peter Strudwicke told GoAuto the company would accept an TT RS Coupe, but a Roadster version would need further consideration.

“Nothing official yet, but we are really hoping that there will be an RS to replace the previous model,” he said. “That would be the ultimate halo of the TT.

“RS, if it were to become available, would be a no-brainer in terms of Coupe.

We'd have to think about whether we do an RS Roadster.”

In its previous generation, the TT was ultimately offered in Coupe-only TT RS and limited RS Plus, sitting above the respective coupe and convertible versions of the 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre petrol versions.

For the 2015 car, though, Audi is focusing only on the high-performance Quattro options, with no diesel destined to take the place of the previous oiler, and a 1.8-litre petrol that was initially on the cards now looking increasingly unlikely.

“We are still evaluating that for Australia,” said Mr Strudwike. “We're pretty happy at the moment with the mix we've got. You've got to balance complexity with giving people choice.

“At the moment, people seem to be liking the current model. There are cheaper versions you can buy, but the Quattro is the biggest selling version, so for the moment we are happy with what we have.”

Mr Strudwicke explained that when it arrives, the new TTS wont compromise the day-to-day comfort and usability of the current range, with magnetic ride suspension offered as standard – a $2250 option for automatic Sport and S line.

“People buy S models for all different reasons,” he said. “Some for outright performance and some because it's got that extra bit of cred, but the S will come standard with magnetic ride.

“The base suspension is a little bit stiffer than that and 19s will be the wheel, but the magnetic ride in Comfort (mode) I think you'll find will probably give you a similar level of ride comfort.”

Audi is yet to confirm final specification for the forthcoming TTS but it is likely to share the Quattro transmission and 2.0-litre engine of the S3, including its hot-climate detune which takes power down from a European high of 226kW down to 210kW.

Without confirmation of a TT RS successor details are speculative, but a hi-po version of the Coupe is likely to borrow the powertrain from the now-confirmed RS3 Sportback.

This would endow the TT RS with a handy 270kW and 465Nm from a 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine, combined with grippy Quattro all-paw transmission, big brakes and sticky tyres.