Audi TT RS 2023 review – style-conscious coupe is a genuine sports car
The TT RS has one of the most characterful engines on sale, and it's backed up by unwavering traction and sure-footed precision
When Audi first squeezed a turbocharged five-cylinder engine under the bonnet of a TT back in 2009, two flashpoints in the firm's history combined to create what should have been an instant icon: the TT RS. Except things didn't quite turn out that way, and the competent but numb TT RS never delivered on the promises of that glorious engine.
Fast forward to the present, and the Mk3 TT has proved to be a more appropriate home for it. The TT RS (and the TT as a whole) is nearing the end of its life in 2023, but now that the primal thrill of its motor is backed up by a higher level of focus, it's more appealing than it's ever been.
A mid-life revision in 2019 brought updates to the powertrain to comply with emissions regulations, but by-and-large, the TT RS recipe has remained unchanged since it launched in 2016. It's not quite as flexible or refined as some newer rivals as a result, but if you want the definitive five-cylinder Audi experience, there's only one place to look.
Audi TT RS: in detail
- Engine and gearbox > The 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder and quattro all-wheel-drive system dominate the experience
- Performance and 0-60mph time > Straight-line performance is sensational, and a match for much newer and more powerful sports cars
- Ride and handling > The TT RS falls short of being truly rewarding, but there’s enough drama and ability to keep you engaged
- MPG and running costs > The hottest TT isn't exactly frugal, but it should return better fuel economy than a BMW M2
- Interior and tech > A home-run interior from Audi, its minimalist vibe, exceptional build quality and clever touches stand the test of time
- Design > The 2019 facelift brought a touch more aggression to the TT RS, while retaining the pert form of the original
Prices, specs and rivals
Audi’s TT RS starts at £62,165, now being exclusively available in high-spec Sport Edition guise. This comes equipped with 20-inch alloys, an RS Sports Exhaust system and carbon fibre inlays inside, along with a full MMI navigation system embedded within the virtual cockpit dial pack. Diamond-stitched leather seats also come as standard, with the most significant interior upgrade coming as part of Audi's £1195 Comfort and Sound pack – this bundles a rear-view camera and a 680w Bang & Olufsen sound system.
The Porsche Cayman S is almost the same price as the RS, and it offers a very different experience. The finely tuned chassis makes for a sublime steer which the Audi can’t quite match. The Porsche’s supremacy isn’t all-conquering though, as the turbo-four isn’t a patch on the Audi’s five-cylinder. The Porsche’s motor sounds dull in comparison and feels a backward step from the 981-generation flat-six engines.
The new BMW M2 comes in at £64,890 and offers a more usable four-seat cabin, even more power and an entertaining rear-drive balance. Its muscular turbocharged straight-six engine doesn't sound nearly as good as the Audi's though, and the M2 is a few tenths slower in the sprint to 62mph, but it's still a deeply satisfying performance coupe.
Then there's the Alpine A110, which has an attitude and character all of its own. The French coupe trades big power for low weight; it’s delicate and malleable, where the TT leans towards brute force for a more intense driving experience. It might be far slower than the TT on paper, but the Alpine is truly captivating to drive and costs about the same in more powerful S form.
