REFRESHED 2019 AUDI TT RS MAKES US DEBUT
- 2019 TT RS features redesigned front fascia
- Additional package and trim options offer drivers increased personalization
- 5-liter TFSI® engine generates 394 horsepower, 354 lb-ft of torque
HERNDON, Va., April 10, 2019 – With an even more dynamic look, the top of the TT model line – the 2019 TT RS – makes its U.S. debut at the New York International Auto Show. The refreshed TT RS Coupe includes redesigned front and rear fasciae, enhanced technology offerings and additional packages and trims, providing drivers increased personalization options.
Exterior design
The refreshed TT RS has the most aggressive appearance yet, featuring a matte black Singleframe® grille with signature quattro script –now in matte titanium –giving the vehicle an even more dynamic look. Additional radiators located behind the honeycomb grille allow for improved cooling. The wide stance of the TT is underscored by lateral air inlets that now extend to the front wheel wells. A continuous front spoiler gives the car a lower, motorsport-inspired look. At the rear, the redesigned fixed rear wing spoiler and large oval tailpipes convey the vehicle’s sporty DNA.
The TT RS is available in seven exterior colors. New for 2019 are Turbo Blue, Tango Red metallic, and Kyalami Green. The Audi exclusive program offers additional possibilities for even more customization.
Standard on the TT RS are full LED headlights with LED daytime running lights and standard LED taillights with dynamic rear turn signals. Additionally, the TT RS offers available OLED (organic light-emitting diode) rear taillights in a visually impressive 3D design.
The TT RS now comes standard equipped with 19-inch 5-arm design Audi Sport wheels in titanium matte finish with summer performance tires. A newly available Dynamic package includes 20-inch Audi Sport 7-spoke design forged wheels in titanium matte finish with summer tires, red brake calipers and a Sport exhaust system with black tips.
Interior design and infotainment
Inside, the TT RS features a driver-oriented interior with intuitive, easy-to-operate controls and functions. With its heated, front Fine Nappa leather RS Sport seats with honeycomb stitching and deeply sculpted adjustable side bolsters, the TT RS is a sports car perfectly suited for all types of driving.
The refreshed RS design package extends contrast stitch leather accents to the door armrests, center console and dash, adds red or blue highlights to air vents, seats and safety belts and includes RS floor mats.
In addition to the impressive aesthetics, the TT RS represents the Audi brand’s advancements for in-vehicle technology. The standard Audi virtual cockpit, an entirely digital instrument cluster with 3D graphics, transforms the way the driver interacts with vehicle displays such as the tachometer and speedometer as well as navigation.
Tech updates for 2019 include standard Audi phone box, which not only charges compatible smartphones wirelessly, but can also connect compatible phones with the vehicle’s antenna to help optimize signal. Available Audi smartphone interface provides Apple CarPlay™ and Google™ Android Auto integration, making smartphone. The Bang & Olufsen sound system provides an excellent sound experience on board with an output of 680 watts.
Powertrain and performance
The 2.5-liter TFSI® engine of the TT RS delivers the distinctive five-cylinder sound that is unmistakably Audi and harkens back to the original turbocharged five-cylinder, the Ur-quattro. The unique 1-2-4-5-3 ignition sequence, which allows the ignition to alternate between the adjacent cylinder and those further apart, gives the TT RS its own rhythm. Generating 394 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, the TT RS can sprint from 0-60 mph in class-leading 3.6 seconds.
The power of the 2.5-liter engine flows through a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission that provides high levels of performance and acceleration. With the S tronic dual-clutch transmission, the TT RS also offers a launch control program that allows a heightened level of acceleration through precise engine speed and an automated clutch release. Standard quattro® permanent all-wheel drive has the ability to send nearly 100 percent of available torque to the rear wheels, and a traction control system, specifically calibrated for the TT RS, manages distribution for optimal acceleration with minimal slip.
The refreshed 2019 TT RS will join the Audi Sport model line this spring.
Pricing detail:
Model year 2019 TT RS starting manufacturer suggested retail prices:
| Model | Starting MSRP |
| 2019 TT RS | $66,900 |
*Prices above exclude destination charge ($995), taxes, title, options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.
Audi TT RS retains its unique five-cylinder powerplant and gains subtle yet effective styling tweaks
- Audi TT RS Coupé and Roadster opens for order in April
- Award-winning five-cylinder: 2.5 TFSI engine with 400 metric horsepower and 480 Nm (354.0 lb-ft)
- New front end and redesigned rear wing with side winglets
- Audi Sport CEO Michael-Julius Renz: “TT RS shows even more of its strength”
Thrill seekers craving the return of the ultimate incarnation of the Audi TT need wait no longer – the 2019 TT RS becomes available to order in April, matching extreme performance with an intoxicating aural accompaniment courtesy of the multi-award-winning five-cylinder 2.5 TFSI. This famously charismatic beating heart delivers 400 metric horsepower and 480Nm of torque, enabling a sprint time of just 3.7 seconds to 62mph and up to 174mph at the limit. An even more dynamic design for the body and extra equipment as standard round out the latest updates to the Audi Sport spearhead.
“The new TT RS is in absolute peak form,” says Michael-Julius Renz, CEO of Audi Sport GmbH. “Like a well-trained athlete, it showcases even more prominently how much power lies beneath its muscular outer skin.” Oliver Hoffmann, Technical Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH, adds: “The outstanding performance is achieved by the low weight, the maximal athletic tuned suspension, and our award-winning five-cylinder. We have received the sought-after “International Engine of the Year Award” with the 2.5 TFSI engine for the ninth time in a row.”
Dynamic appearance: The exterior design
The TT RS has never looked so athletic. The redrawn front end and the striking rear give it a dynamic appearance. The quattro logo in a matt titanium-look is positioned in the lower section of the gloss black grill with its matt black Singleframe. Lateral air inlets, which have been enlarged once again, are each divided by vertical strips on the inside and outside and extend almost all the way to the front wheel wells, making the new TT RS appear extremely wide. For cooling purposes there are additional radiators located behind the typical RS honeycomb grill.
A continuous front spoiler that is drawn up steeply at each side pulls the front apron down sharply, giving the car its distinctive, motorsport-inspired look. The blade is painted in body colour as standard, but is also available in a matt aluminium look or gloss black. The RS model has a gloss black inlay in the newly designed side sill. The exterior mirror housings are available in body colour, matt aluminium look, gloss black, and carbon.
At the rear, a newly designed fixed rear wing with side winglets catches the eye. As part of the aerodynamics concept, it supports RS-typical performance and efficiency. There are vertical design elements on both sides above the new RS-specific diffuser. Two large oval exhaust tailpipes create the signature RS finish.
LED headlights are standard. The optional matrix LED units regulate the high beams intelligently and with great flexibility. Also available are Matrix OLED reversing lights (organic light emitting diode) with a 3D design which distribute their extensive light with extreme homogeneity and precision. When the ignition is switched on, the OLED reversing lights put on a spectacular display. A new red 12 o’clock marker on the steering wheel rim also serves to highlight its performance potential.
The new TT RS is available in eight different colours, including the new RS-specific colour Kyalami green and the new colours Pulse orange and Turbo blue. Upon request, the matt aluminium and styling package highlights the blade and rear wing. The fabric top of the TT RS Roadster is black. Privacy glass is fitted to the Coupé as part of the standard equipment list.
Award-winning performance: The 2.5 TFSI
Five-cylinder, 400PS output, 480 Nm (354.0 lb-ft) of torque, quattro all-wheel drive — the Audi TT RS (combined fuel consumption 34.9 – 35.8mpg; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 183 – 181) impresses with inner values and offers an outstanding driving performance. The Coupé sprints from 0 to 62mph in only 3.7 seconds. Musical accompaniment is provided by the typical five-cylinder sound: 1-2-4-5-3. Due to this ignition sequence, ignition alternates between adjacent cylinders and those far apart from one another. This unique rhythm is music to the ears of many horsepower purists.
Last year, Audi Sport received the sought-after “International Engine of the Year Award” for the 2.5 TFSI engine for the ninth consecutive time. The turbo engine draws its power from an engine displacement of 2,480 cm3. The engine’s maximum torque of 480 Nm (354.0 lb-ft) is available between 1,950 and 5,850 rpm. The top speed is regulated at 155mph or an optional 174mph.
The forces of the five-cylinder engine flow via a seven-speed S tronic to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive that distributes the power as needed between the axles via a multi-plate clutch. Wheel-selective torque control makes handling even more agile and safe. The driver can use the Audi drive select dynamic handling system to influence the quattro drive and other components such as the steering, S tronic, engine characteristic, and exhaust flaps. The four modes available for this are comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual.
Pure dynamism: The suspension
The low weight (1,450 kg for the TT RS Coupé without driver) and the appropriately firm suspension provide the basic prerequisites for the exemplary handling of the Audi TT RS. The progressive steering adapted specifically to the RS ensures close contact with the road. At the front axle, ventilated and perforated steel discs are in action behind the 19-inch or 20-inch wheels. The brake calipers are painted black as standard, but are available in red as an option.
As an option, the RS sport suspension plus is available with adaptive dampers in Audi magnetic ride technology. Their control technology is also integrated into the Audi drive select dynamic handling system.
Inspired by motorsports: The interior
Controls and display in the new TT RS are focused completely on the driver. The RS sport seats with the rhombus pattern in Alcantara or optionally with a honeycomb pattern in fine Nappa leather as well as the RS logos on the seats, steering wheel, door sill trims, and selector levers underline the dynamic character of the 2+2 seater. Special RS displays in the standard Audi virtual cockpit with a 12.3-inch screen provide information on tire pressure, torque, and g-forces. In manual mode, the shift light display prompts the driver to upshift when the maximum engine speed is reached. In addition to multifunction buttons, the RS sport leather steering wheel with shift paddles features two satellite controls for turning the engine on and off as well as the Audi drive select dynamic handling system.
The new RS design package adds red or blue highlights to the car on the air vent doors, the seat belts, and the floor mats with the RS logo. The extended RS design package also offers contrasting design elements on the seats and centre console.
Up to date: The infotainment system
Audi also offers a great deal of infotainment features. The options include MMI navigation plus with MMI touch including free text search and natural language voice control, as well as the Wi-Fi hotspot and the Audi connect online module. Online services reach the vehicle via the fast LTE standard. The Audi smartphone interface connects smartphones with the TT RS and can stream content seamlessly to the Audi virtual cockpit via USB. In addition, Audi Phone Box is also now fitted as standard. The Bang & Olufsen sound system provides an excellent sound experience on board with an output of 680 watts.
