Audi TT RS Iconic Edition debuts
Limited-run TT RS will come to the UK with an eye-watering £27,625 premium
Audi Sport has released a new special edition of the TT RS called the Iconic Edition. It joins Audi’s new R8 V10 GT RWD as a limited-run model in the range, so features a gambit of aesthetic upgrades, but does without any mechanical or hardware tweaks. This is a fact that’s somewhat glaring when you realise the Iconic Edition will cost from £87,650 for the 11 units earmarked for the UK, a £27,625 premium over a base TT RS.
For the not-inconsiderable amount of extra cash, the Iconic Edition’s changes feature a spread of new styling elements constructed from carbonfibre. These include front bumper-mounted dive planes, a new front splitter and inserts in the lower intakes.
The rear end features a much larger fixed rear wing and diffuser-like bumper insert, also in carbon and black-finish oval exhaust pipes. The 20-inch wheels are the familiar seven-arm design, but here painted in a solid black finish. There’s only one colour option available, Audi Sport’s bespoke Nardo Grey.
Audi’s also made plenty of changes inside the cabin, with a two-tone black and grey interior finish highlighted with contrasting yellow stitching on the seats, doors, steering wheel and centre console. While these interior changes do seem minimal, they add to what is one of the best interiors of any car currently on sale. In terms of spec the special edition is pretty much loaded with kit, including Matrix LED headlights, the essential magnetic dampers and RS sports exhaust.
The RS’s turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine produces 394bhp between 5850 and 7000rpm, with a peak torque of 354lb ft generated from 2250rpm and remaining stable until 5850rpm. This powers a Haldex-style all-wheel drive system from a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission – unfortunately there is no clever torque-vectoring rear differential as in the latest RS3.
The carbon doesn’t reduce weight, though, as it weighs in at a familiar 1475kg to the standard model. This means performance figures are the same as the base car, reaching 62mph in 3.7sec and topping out at 174mph.
So the Iconic Edition is likely one for the real TT aficionados, but with so much hardware shared with the impressive new RS3, it’s a shame Audi hasn’t applied any of them considering it’s packing such a serious price rise.
