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In-depth reviews

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

Evo rating
Price
from £62,165
  • Stunning engine; the most focused TT ever
  • Lumpen low-speed ride; lacks ultimate adjustability

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. 

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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.

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