SPY PICS: Audi TT RS in the wind

Audi is claimed to be in the process of developing a stove-hot version of its TT, to be dubbed RS and said to wield a turbocharged five-cylinder powerplant that will recall the inline five-pot engines made famous by Audi in the Quattro rally coupes from the 1980s.

Logically though, is it more likely that the five-cylinder will stem from the narrow-angle V5 engines that did duty in various VWs including Passats and Boras until recently?

It's being reported the TT's five-cylinder engine will use sequential turbocharging to lift power output to around 260kW and will offer the choice of a six-speed manual transmission, or Audi's dual-clutch DSG sequential automated manual.

There is also talk of another TT version using VW's new 210kW 3.6-litre V6, which would make for an altogether plusher but still scintillating Audi two-door. The TT RS is expected to go on sale in Europe later this year.

-- with Carparazzi