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INGOLSTADT, Germany =97 It may not yet have gone on sale in North America, =
but
Audi is already preparing two new performance oriented versions of its
second-generation TT. The TT-S and TT-RS, as the new models will be badged,
are currently undergoing development at Audi's Ingolstadt headquarters in
Southern Germany. They are scheduled to go on sale in 2007 and 2008
respectively, throwing down the gauntlet to rival go-fast coupes such as th=
e
BMW Z4 M coupe and Porsche Cayman S with a combination of improved
performance. The pair also has a series of visual upgrades over the standar=
d
200-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 250-hp 3.2-liter V6
models due to go on sale in the U.S. in early 2007. Heading the charge will
be the TT-S, with the "S" designating Sport. The more affordable of the two=
,
it is planned to run an updated version of the turbocharged
2.0-literfour-cylinder engine recently launched in the German
carmaker's rapid S3.
Exact output remains under wraps, although a high-ranking Audi official has
hinted to Inside Line that it will go beyond the S3's already potent 265-hp
figure, reaching possibly as high as 300 hp through a combination of
increased turbocharger boost pressure and other internal tweaks, such as
lightweight pistons to reduce reciprocating masses and provide a more
free-revving nature. Yet while the TT-S is sure to have its backers, it is
the even more expensive TT-RS (the RS adopted from the German words Renn
Sport, or Race Sport) that is likely to grab the headlines when it lands
stateside two years from now.

Rather than the 3.6-liter V6 engine as widely rumored, Inside Line can
confirm the range-topping TT is set to become the first Audi model to
receive a new turbocharged version of parent company Volkswagen's long
running 2.5-liter five-cylinder =97 as found in North American versions of =
the
Jetta. Updated to accept the same cylinder head configuration as the
5.2-liter V10 used in the S8 along with the latest direct-injection
technology from German specialist Bosch, the
new Audi engine is said to deliver in the region of 365 hp. That's some 22
hp more than the Z4 M Coupe. As with the TT-S, the TT-RS will place its
power to the ground via either a standard six-speed manual or an optional
seven-speed version of Audi's S-Tronic double-clutch gearbox, with a
Haldex-style four-wheeldrive system, which uses a multiplate clutch instead
of Audi's more traditional Torsen-based arrangement, apportioning drive to
all four wheels.

Meanwhile, Audi officials have confirmed to Inside Line the open-top versio=
n
of its new two-door, the TT roadster, will make its world premiere at the
Los Angeles auto show next month, prior to going on sale in the U.S. in
March 2007. What this means to you: Its appeal is already off the scale, bu=
t
with the injection of added performance, the new TT looks like it will be
something incredibly special.


It sounds to me like Audi is serious about putting some performance into th=
e
2nd Gen. TT. Very interesting to hear about a turbo I-5- I wonder if the
engine will fit into a C4 chassis? :-)

Anyway, a 365hp TT-RS is a very interesting prospect, as long as the price
isn't outrageous.

Baloney, your car will be here in a couple years- better go down to your
local dealer and put down a deposit now.

Taka