This Manual 5-Cylinder Turbocharged Sports Car Is A Superb Used Buy
Quick Links
- Quick Facts About The Audi TT RS With The Manual Transmission
- A Lot Was Riding On The TT RS
- 2010 BMW Z4 sDrive35is
- 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG
There aren't many automotive segments that offer as much fun for your money as the sports car. If we just briefly think of what comes to mind when the topic of sports cars comes up, images of models like the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the Nissan Z spring to mind. In short, true sports cars are best remembered as small, nimble things with enough pep to get you from point A to point B with a huge smile on your face.
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Audi
Audi is a German automaker that produces a range of luxury vehicles that combine sporty driving dynamics with the latest technology. Its history goes back over 100 years and includes both production cars and a rich racing heritage.
Of course, with so many great choices out there, some sports cars tend to slip through the cracks as years pass, and sometimes this phenomenon has nothing to do with how good the car in question actually is. However, in the case of the Audi TT RS, we can confidently say that it's a firecracker of a car. But, unfortunately, it's faded from memory over the past decade or so, and because of its well-sorted nature, it's great as a daily driver, and certainly deserves a second look. It's certainly a unique and special car, especially the one we're looking at - the first-generation TT RS with the six-speed manual transmission.
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Audi TT Coupe Generations: Everything You Need To Know In One Place
Audi’s curvaceous sports car never lost its Bauhaus design roots as it matured over the years, giving us three generations along the way.
This article explains why we think the Audi TT RS is such a good used buy. Take note that the car is no longer sold as new by Audi USA, having been discontinued after the 2022 model year.
The Audi TT RS: This One's Not For Hairdressers
Quick Facts About The Audi TT RS With The Manual Transmission
- Introduced in late 2009 as part of the second-generation TT
- Developed by Audi's quattro GmbH performance-vehicle division
- Available as both a coupe and roadster
- Produced until 2014
2010 Audi TT RS Coupe White Front High Angle
The first generation of the Audi TT was introduced in 1998, but the world had to wait 11 years before we could see the TT RS upon its unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show in 2009, a few years after the second-generation TT went on sale. Along with becoming the most venerable iteration of the TT, Audi also debuted a new, power-dense 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five-cylinder engine with the RS model, a mill that's since become something of a modern living legend for a multitude of reasons that we'll get into later on.
While the TT RS was offered in both the second and third-gen TT lineups, it went on a hiatus from 2014 to 2017, only to be resurrected in 2018, but this time as a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic only. These days, you can pick up a used manual TT RS for a fairly reasonable price thanks to depreciation, although the newer ones are stubbornly holding onto their value. Let's take a look at a grouping of model years from 2012 to 2013, and 2018 through 2021 and show their current average selling prices with market-average mileage:
Model Year | 2012 | 2013 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Average Sales Price | $20,269 | $23,157 | $39,460 | $47,114 | $55,404 | $55,289 |
*Info courtesy of Kelley Blue Book
A Lot Was Riding On The TT RS
By the mid-2000s, the Audi TT model line was in need of some sprucing up. The futuristic and forward-thinking look of the first-gen TT has been on the roads for several years, and it was time for the next chapter. It's not that the classic Bauhaus styling went stale, but newer rivals were more dynamic and the TT was in need of an update. So, in 2006, Audi unveiled the second-gen TT.
2000-2002 Audi TT Coupe Silver Front Angle
The new generation retained much of the TT's essence, but it was also much more streamlined and attractive, and if we're honest, the second-gen TT still looks good even today. Upon its debut, the hottest engine available for the TT was a 247-horsepower naturally aspirated 3.2-liter V6 from VW/Audi's VR engine family. Adequate, but Audi was looking for something more, something to make the TT stand out and be something more intimidating than the almost delicate gen-two car.
2023 Audi TT Final Drive
So, Audi sent the second-gen TT off to its GmbH facility for a makeover in the gym. The GmbH facility is where all of Audi's RS models are born, and the TT RS was no exception. It emerged in late 2009 with an entirely new engine, a slew of mechanical and aesthetic upgrades, and a new lease on life. The TT RS was determined to be taken seriously, something that couldn't easily be said for the regular TT up to that point.
Specs And Features
2010 Audi TT RS 2.5L EA855 Turbo I5 Engine
At the core of the TT RS is its turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine, a mill that managed to win the International Engine of the Year award for the 2.0- to 2.5-liter category eight years in a row, something few other automakers have been able to match. One of the reasons for the five-pot's fame is its ability to make huge power out of a rather small displacement, its intoxicating warble, and a couple of unique upgrades not often seen in other mills. We'll take a look at the TT RS and its 2.5-liter engine's detailed specs below:
Engine | 2.5L 20-valve turbo I5 |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 335 hp @ 5,400–6,500 rpm |
Torque | 332 lb-ft @ 1,600–5,300 rpm |
Bore x Stroke | 82.5 x 92.8 mm (3.25 x 3.65 inches) |
Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
0-60 MPH Time | 4.3 seconds |
Top Speed | 155 mph (limited) |
Curb Weight | 3,179 | 3,329 lbs (Coupe | Roadster) |
Starting Price (2010) | $56,850 |
*Specs courtesy of Audi
A litany of upgrades was made to the TT RS's drivetrain in order to better cope with the 2.5-liter's power, including a revised and revamped clutch pack for its Haldex Traction-based AWD system. It also received a new, compact differential with upgraded internals. The TT RS was lowered by almost half an inch, and received upgraded brakes on all four corners. Audi offered their Magnetic Ride adjustable suspension system as an option. Other mechanical options available were a sport-tuned exhaust and the ability to remove the TT RS's top speed limiter, which then raised the number to 174 mph.
2010 Audi TT RS Coupe Manual Black Interior Driver Area
The TT RS Had Its Share Of Competition
The German sports-car segment is one of the hottest in the world, and for good reason. Myriad sporty two- and four-seaters have come out of the country, each packed to the brim with tech and performance credentials meant to render its competition inferior. The Audi TT RS, which stood at the top of the TT's range, was forced into battle with the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz, both of whom had their own sporting coupes and roadsters.
2010 BMW Z4 sDrive35is
2010 BMW Z4 Gold Roof Down Front Angle Driving
The BMW Z4 definitely looked a bit tamer and didn't remotely resemble a training shoe like its competitor, the Audi TT RS. However, it was still capable of giving the Audi a run for its money, especially when it was seen in the top-of-the-line sDrive35is variation. It could put up similar power and performance numbers while still maintaining the cool and relaxed look of a dignified, small roadster. Best of all, it could be had with a manual gearbox, just like the TT RS.
Model | 2010 BMW Z4 sDrive35is | 2010 Audi TT RS |
|---|---|---|
Engine | 3.0L twin-turbo N54 I6 | 2.5L turbo EA855 I5 |
Horsepower | 335 hp | 335 hp |
Torque | 369 lb-ft | 332 lb-ft |
0-60 MPH Time | 4.6 seconds | 4.3 seconds |
Top Speed | 155 mph (limited) | 155 mph (limited) |
Starting Price (2010) | $61,925 | $56,850 |
*Specs courtesy of BMW and Audi
2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG
2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG Silver Roof Down Front Angle
Next in line to battle the TT RS was the Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG. This one's a bit hotter than the Z4 we discussed just a moment ago, but the TT RS could still give it a run for its money, despite having an engine less than half its size. The Merc was also quite a lot more expensive than the TT RS, albeit it was a more luxury-oriented model rather than being strictly for track-day prowess and raw feel. This was underscored by the fact that the Mercedes came with an automatic transmission only.
2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG | 2010 Audi TT RS | |
|---|---|---|
Engine | 5.4L NA M113 V8 | 2.5L turbo EA855 I5 |
Horsepower | 355 hp | 335 hp |
Torque | 376 lb-ft | 332 lb-ft |
0-60 MPH Time | 4.1 seconds | 4.3 seconds |
Top Speed | 155 mph (limited) | 155 mph (limited) |
Starting Price (2010) | $68,525 | $56,850 |
*Specs courtesy of Mercedes-Benz and Audi
What Happened To The TT?
2000-2002 Audi TT Coupe Black Front Angle Track Driving
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, the Audi TT was introduced in 1998 and was a relatively popular model straight away. It had its problems, such as the abrupt lift-off oversteer of the first batch of first-gen cars, which was fixed with some mechanical tweaks and the addition of a trunk spoiler. Despite this, however, it remained a staple Audi sports car throughout its 25-year life. It managed to make it through three generations, with the RS model lasting from 2010 to its death in 2023.
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Audi made the decision to ax the TT following the 2022 model year for a couple of reasons. For one, the TT's sales began to decline by a large margin. For example, Audi managed to shift 2,294 TTs in 2017, but by the end, it only managed to sell 461, a drop of approximately 80 percent. That, coupled with Audi's desire to move more towards EVs and hybrids, meant the TT had to go away. So, that means it's best to scoop up a used TT RS soon, before they inevitably become classics and their value increases.
Sources: Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, CarFigures.com.
