Racing version of Audi RR RS now available for ordering

Alongside the successful R8 LMS, Audi Sport customer racing is now offering another attractive customer sport race car: the racing version of the Audi TT RS can be ordered effective immediately.

The front-wheel drive TT RS powered by an engine with an output of about 279 kW (380 HP) has been developed by quattro GmbH in collaboration with Technical Development of AUDI AG for the SP4T class of the VLN Endurance Championship and extensively tested for about one year. After class victory at the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in June, the testing phase culminated in an impressive performance at the 6-hour race on the world’s toughest race track at the end of August: the first pole position of a front-wheel drive vehicle in the history of the VLN and overall victory ahead of rivals with higher power ratings.



"In the TT RS Audi is making the next attractive customer sport race car available to interested teams," says Romolo Liebchen, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. "In line with the products our customers have come to expect of us, the TT RS is another car that has been designed for a wide range of racing conditions and easy handling. The TT RS perfectly mastered the load at the 24-hour race while being able to prove its exceptionally forgiving handling characteristics at the 6-hour race in the unpredictable conditions of constantly changing weather."

As a production-derived unit the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine is designed for extremely high mileage. Its power drives the front wheels via a sequential six-speed racing transmission. Paddle shifters allow customers to fully concentrate on the action on the race track.


Audi has developed a race car body for the TT RS that is designed for maximum safety and high aerodynamic efficiency. But downforce is not the only thing that helps to put the power on the road. A sophisticated racing suspension with a wide range of adjustment options that are easy to operate assures supreme road-holding and particularly good balance.

Audi Sport customer racing offers the ready-to-race TT RS to its customers at the price of 180,000 euros (net). "For this model we also provide optimal support to our customers," says Werner Frowein, Managing Director of quattro GmbH who is responsible for the customer activities at Audi. "They benefit from our experience with the R8 LMS and the extensive testing program we have completed with the TT RS. Customers can look forward to a reliable, easy-to-drive and affordable high-tech sports car plus the Audi service to which they have become accustomed."

| Audi

First Audi TT RS sold in U.S.

The return of the heralded Audi RS line to the American performance car scene officially launched when Forth Worth Audi in Texas delivered the first 2012 Audi TT RS in the U.S. to veteran race car driver Don Istook.

Last year, Istook was one of more than 11,500 fans to sign the Audi TT RS Facebook petition drive, which helped convince Audi to introduce the 360-hp coupe in the U.S. But Istook’s connection to Audi and to the TT performance car line runs far deeper. The Fort Worth native was one of the first drivers to race an Audi Quattro in the U.S. in 1985 and he drove Audi S4 models in the Motorola Cup, which became the Grand-Am Cup. More recently he has raced Audi TT quattro coupes.


"Having raced at almost every major track in the U.S. and Canada, I've pushed the limits in many cars in my 34 years as a race car driver,” Istook said. “I like my street car to give me some of that thrill. With my new Audi TT RS, I not only get that thrill, but I also get that 'race car' sound.”

The 2012 Audi TT RS stands as the pinnacle of the TT model line, representative of the highest performance category for Audi vehicles. The Audi TT RS, powered by the award-winning 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder TFSI engine, generates 360 hp between 5,500 and 6,700 rpm, and 343 lb-ft of torque between 1,650 and 5,400 rpm for power on demand. With aluminum and steel hybrid ASF® technology and standard quattro® all-wheel drive, the TT RS offers excellent aerodynamics and increased rigidity and safety.

The 2012 Audi TT RS is priced at $56,850 (excluding $875 destination charges, taxes, title, options and dealer charges).

The newest Audi for the U.S. market truly showcases the performance engineering of the RS line of sports cars produced by quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm, Germany. The RS line has given Audi a special element of sports appeal, individuality and exclusivity.

“The technical capabilities of the Audi brand are perfectly distilled in the RS models developed by quattro GmbH,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “For the past few years, American sports car enthusiasts have pleaded with us to make the marquee available here. With the TT RS we are now furthering the Audi performance story that includes models from the Audi S4 to the new Audi R8 GT.”

Audi has announced plans to follow up with the U.S. introduction of the Audi RS 5 coupe next year. Audi dealers expect keen interest in the RS line.

“Interest in the return of the RS marquee has been so strong that Mr. Istook is allowing us to keep his TT RS at the dealership longer to show Audi fans and customers,” said Bobby Baillargeon, owner of Forth Worth Audi.

The Audi TT RS features exclusive design elements denoting its special place at the top of the TT model line, including high gloss black diamond-patterned Singleframe® grille and large front air inlets, fixed rear wing spoiler, oval exhaust pipes, rear diffuser, unique 19-inch rotor wheels and more. It comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, and available adaptive headlights. The interior also features RS-exclusive appointments, such as the contoured three-spoke sport multifunction steering wheel, aluminum door sills with the RS logo, and RS-specific interior door handles.

The Audi TT RS offers electronic features one expects from Audi, including Audi concert radio with single CD player and MP3 reading capability, and a complimentary three-month subscription to SiriusXM® Satellite Radio. Available advanced electronics offer an increased level of sophistication for the premium sports car, including technologies like Audi navigation plus with real time traffic, MMI® inspired controls, a BOSE® sound system, and Audi music interface.

But the specific appeal of the Audi TT RS – and the rest of the Audi RS line – is performance and handling.

“Superb brakes and handling go right along with the magnificent power from the 2.5-liter turbo, especially the low end torque,” Istook noted. “It reminds me of the mid 80's when we raced the original 5 cylinder turbo Audi Quattro. What is great, though, is that I get all of that, yet I have the refinement, sophistication and technology of a truly modern sports car."

| Audi