Audi TT RS 2021 Review

The 2021 Audi TT RS 2+2 coupe is the global flagship of the German prestige car-maker’s TT sports car range.

It wears the RS badge alongside other performance heroes from Audi such as the RS 3, RS Q3, RS 4, RS 5, RS 6, RS 7 and RS Q8.

Developed from the standard offering by the hoons at Audi Sport, the TT RS mixes a 294kW/480Nm 2.5-litre turbo-petrol five-cylinder engine and sports-tuned adaptive suspension with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, rear-biased quattro all-wheel drive, compact size and a decent 1525kg kerb weight.

The logical opposition for the TT RS includes the BMW Z4, Jaguar F-TYPE and, most obviously, the Porsche Cayman.

The 2021 Audi TT RS carries a manufacturer’s list price of $137,900 plus on-road costs, having recently copped a $3000 increase for MY22.

That takes the coupe back to exactly the same mark at which it launched in 2017 and makes it easily the most expensive RS variant with the inline-five engine, as all the ‘3s’ are priced under $100K.

Standard TT RS equipment includes 20-inch alloy wheels, a sports exhaust, brilliant Matrix LED headlights, Nappa leather upholstery, a multi-mode digital instrument panel, Bang & Olufsen sound system, integrated sat-nav, powered and heated front sports seats, single-zone climate control, cruise control, wireless smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection and two USB outlets.

There is no spare tyre, only a repair kit.

Safety equipment does not include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), which is a huge miss. But you do get six airbags, an active bonnet to protect pedestrians in impacts, driver attention monitoring, blind spot warning, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors and tyre pressure monitoring.

There is no ANCAP safety rating applicable.

The Audi TT RS is protected by a short three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, while a five-year service plan costs $3580.

The 2021 Audi TT RS is all about what you want from a car.

If you fancy a TT because of its iconic shape and pose value – hey, nothing wrong with that – then go for a cheaper variant such as the lovely TT S.

The TT RS rides too hard even in Comfort mode, is too abrupt in its power delivery, is way too noisy and far too cramped and minimalist inside to be a sensible day-to-day proposition.

It is hard to believe that somewhere under all this is the same core platform as a Volkswagen Golf.

However, if you really want to interact with your vehicle, really live the driving experience, then the TT RS is more your kind of car. It demands your input to be at its best.

It can happen just about anywhere, anytime. Just braking and knocking it down a couple of gears, ripping around a roundabout and then plunging the foot down on the throttle just for a second or two is rewarding.

You get exhaust howl, crackle and pop, enough thrust to push you hard into the deep and supportive driver’s seat (0-100km/h in 3.7sec does that), lightning gear engagement and quick, slick electro-mechanical steering. Delicious.

The 2021 Audi TT RS will appeal to a very select audience. In fact, you could say that about the entire TT range as just 29 had been sold in Australia to the end of August 2021.

Whoever puts their money down would have to be single or have the TT RS as their second, or preferably third, car in the family garage. That’s how impractical it is.

It’s the sort of car no-one else on your street would have, so there’s some one-upmanship over all those common-as-muck Porsche Caymans.

The only problem is the Cayman is a better all-round drive with a wider breadth of liveable abilities.

Yes, the TT RS is quicker in a straight line, but – less admirably – it’s just as noisy. Frankly, I never thought anything could be as noisy as a Porsche.

If you’re prepared to approach the 2021 Audi TT RS on its very narrowly defined terms then it’s impossible to dislike.

Full of vigour and verve, it’s got that animal edge that the vast bulk of automotive experiences lack.

And there’s one more thing here.

The TT as we know it is going away sometime in the next year or two. It will be replaced by an electric vehicle and might even have an SUV skew.

So if you like what you see here, now’s the time to buy.

How much does the 2021 Audi TT RS cost?
Price: $137,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 294kW/480Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 8.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 181g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested