40 years of the Quattro all-wheel-drive system is commemorated with a manic TT RS.
Audi is blowing out 40 candles for its legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system this year. Hence to commemorate this momentous occasion, the German automaker is producing a limited number of special edition TT RS, known as the ‘Audi TT RS 40 years of quattro’.
Also known as the ‘Audi TT RS 40 Jahre quattro’ in its native Germany, this limited edition TT RS is certainly a fitting tribute to the legacy of the quattro. Under the hood of this sport compact car is a 2.5 litre TFSI five-cylinder derived from Audi Sport, outputting a whopping 400 PS and 480 Nm of torque. Mated to a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, this translates to a century sprint time of just 3.7 seconds, and a top speed of 280 km/h.
Moreover with the obligatory quattro permanent all-wheel drive system featured in the Audi TT RS 40 years of quattro, there is no doubting that this pocket supercar could do those figures in any condition. Its multi-plate clutch distributing power between the front and rear axles, as and when it is required. Furthermore, the current quattro system even incorporates wheel-selective torque control. Simultaneously gently brakes the inside wheel, while applying extra torque to the outside wheel when cornering at speed. Thus making the TT RS feel more agile and handle better than it already does.
Painted in Alpine White to reflect on the quattro’s motorsports heritage, all of these special edition TT RS models will also feature decals throughout the car that is reminiscent of the livery on the Audi Sport quattro S1, specifically the Audi Sport Quattro E2 Pikes Peak, that German rally ace Walter Röhrl powered to victory in the 1987 Pikes Peaks Hill Climb. Large quattro lettering on the doors, in addition to the ’40 years of quattro’ logo on the partially matte rear windows are also featured on this particular model run. 
Additional exterior enhancements on the Audi TT RS 40 years of quattro includes gloss carbon central air vents on the bonnet, along with what the Ingolstadt automaker’s Aero kit. Starting from the front, this Aero kit consists of a front splitter and gloss black side flics on the front apron. Moving down the side meanwhile are additional side sill trims, that transition neatly to the large fixed wing, exposed rear diffuser and rear bumper spoiler side sections. White 20 inch alloy wheels and red brake callipers up front complete the look of this limited run TT.
Stepping inside the commemorative TT RS, a sea of black leather and Alcantara is highlighted with just a dash of white to liven up the dark cabin. The usual RS sports interior trimmings are present, such as the RS sports steering wheel which now features a white 12 o’clock marker, and the RS sports seats that have ’40 years of quattro’ embroidered on the seat backs. What is new on here however will be the commemorative plaque on the S tronic gear selector, consecutively numbered corresponding to each of the 40 limited run models produced.
Lucky customers who are able to order one of these special TT RS models will also have the option of a carbon strut brace in place of the rear seats. While this may hamper practicality of the 2+2 coupe, Audi claims it drops the weight of the TT by 16 kg, not to mention improving its torsional rigidity.
Priced at 114,040 euros (RM 555,000), this Audi TT RS 40 years of quattro will probably only appeal to the most hard-core (and well off) of Audi and quattro enthusiasts. That said, all 40 units that are to be produced will probably all accounted for already as it goes on sale in Germany this month.
PRESS RELEASE: Audi celebrates 40 years of quattro and presents a special edition of its top-of-the-line model in the TT model line. The Audi TT RS 40 years of quattro is celebrating the success story of quattro drive in impressive style.
“For 40 years, quattro has been one of the main technology pillars of the brand with the four rings,” says Julius Seebach, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. “Our RS models have always transferred their power onto the road via four wheels as standard. With the special edition of the TT RS limited to 40 units we intend to present our fans in Germany with a really special anniversary gift.”
The TT RS 40 years of quattro draws on the power of the 2.5 TFSI engine from Audi Sport. The five-cylinder engine, which has won the “International Engine of the Year Award” nine years running, produces 294 kW (400 PS) and develops maximum torque of 480 Nm (354.0 lb-ft). The quattro permanent all-wheel drive distributes the power as required between the front and rear axles using a multi-plate clutch. Wheel-selective torque control makes handling even more agile and safer. It gently brakes the wheels on the inside of the curve when cornering at speed while increasing the drive torque to the wheels on the outside of the curve. The driver can influence the quattro drive and other components such as steering, seven-speed S tronic, exhaust flaps and engine characteristics using the Audi drive select dynamic handling system.
The top speed of the TT RS 40 years of quattro is raised to 280 km/h (174.0 mph) as standard. The sport compact sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62.1 mph) in only 3.7 seconds.
The beat of the background music is set by the characteristic five-cylinder firing sequence: 1-2-4-5-3. Firing alternates between directly adjacent cylinders and those far apart from one another.
The Audi TT RS 40 years of quattro painted in Alpine white self-confidently shows off its motorsport heritage. The decals on the hood, shoulders, roof and rear is reminiscent of the livery of the specially modified Audi Sport quattro S1 that Walter Röhrl drove to victory in 1987 in the legendary Pikes Peak race in the United States.
The hood with central air vent in gloss carbon adds another visual highlight while facilitating engine compartment ventilation – the opening allows the accumulated heat to escape even faster. The Aero kit developed in the wind tunnel enhances performance and handling on fast bends and significantly improves the compact sports car’s aerodynamics. The kit consists of side flics in gloss black on the front apron and a front splitter. The side sill trims transition to the striking rear with its fixed wing, spoiler side sections and diffuser. The aerodynamic measures result in a perfectly balanced complete package with only around nine kilograms (19.8 lb) of uplift at the front axle and around five kilograms (11.0 lb) of downforce at the rear axle at maximum speed. The relationship between aerodynamic drag and uplift is ideally balanced. This interaction was explicitly considered during development in the wind tunnel.
Large quattro letters on the doors make the essence of the special model abundantly clear. The partially matt rear quarter windows also feature the “40 years of quattro” logo. The side sills are painted black, the side sill inserts and the housings of the exterior mirrors, the blade and the Audi rings are finished in gloss black. At the front axle, ventilated and perforated steel discs with red-painted brake calipers are in action behind the white-painted 20-inch alloy wheels.
The interior of the new TT RS 40 years of quattro with its cockpit focused squarely on the driver features numerous upgrades. The sporty character of the 2+2-seater comes across even more clearly as a result. As an option, the customer can replace the rear bench with a strut cross brace made of carbon – reducing weight by around 16 kilograms (35.3 lb) and improving torsional rigidity. All of which brings the special model even closer to motorsport – with an even more intense driving sound.
Black Alcantara is used on the door trims and on the RS sport leather steering wheel with 12 o’clock marker in white. Black leather with white contrasting stitching adorns the center armrest, the door armrests and the center console. Heritage stripes on the Alpine white inlay tie in with the decals on the exterior. The floor mats in black with white piping and contrasting stitching are finished off with an embroidered RS. The RS sport seats in black fine Nappa leather with a seat center panel in black Alcantara and honeycomb pattern in white feature an exclusive embroidered “40 years of quattro” at shoulder level. A consecutively numbered badge on the S tronic selector lever makes each of the 40 units unique.
The Audi TT RS 40 years of quattro will go on sale in Germany in October 2020. There it will cost 114,040 euros or 111,165.04 euros with the reduced rate of value-added tax.
