Exclusive and performance-focused: the market launch of the Audi TT RS Coupé iconic edition, limited to 100 units in Europe with 11 examples bound for the UK, will celebrate the success story of a quarter-century for the Audi TT Coupé. This iconic sports car has been an inspiration the world over since its premiere in 1998 due to its pure driving dynamics and timeless design. The limited-edition Audi TT RS Coupé iconic edition stands out with its legendary five-cylinder performance combined with sporty design elements, both in the exterior and interior. In the UK, the Audi TT RS Coupé iconic edition will be priced from £87,650 (OTR), with customer deliveries beginning in the first quarter of 2023.
Timeless through time: the TT has been Audi’s design icon for almost a quarter of a century. Now the Audi TT RS Coupé iconic edition is continuing the trend into the future – a sports car with new innovations whilst retaining the typical TT RS properties: design and dynamics.
“The name of the Audi TT RS Coupé iconic edition says it all,” says Sebastian Grams, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. “The edition model is reminiscent of the iconic TT design language, which at the same time stands for courage and elegance in uncompromising form. Thanks to the exclusive exterior and interior highlights, the much-loved performance of our ultimate sports coupé, with its multiple award-winning five-cylinder engine, is not only palpable, but also visible to fans.”
Inspired by the Bauhaus: the TT Coupé
With a vision of ‘a car for enthusiasts’, Audi presented the Audi TT Coupé as a sports car study at the IAA in Frankfurt in the Autumn of 1995. Almost symmetrical, the Audi TT consistently followed a design principle based on geometric, circular shapes. Three years later, the coupé went into production almost unchanged. One year after the TT Coupé, Audi launched the TT Roadster. In its second model generation, the Coupé was enhanced with an S and RS variant.
“The TT was inspired by the Bauhaus and its universal design philosophy of ‘less is more,'” says Head of Audi Design Marc Lichte. “The maximum reduction – the omission of everything unnecessary and insignificant – was so radical and so courageous that the TT, in its simplicity, quickly achieved the highest attribute of good design: to be timeless. Once you’ve achieved that, you’re beyond trends and yet you’re never out of fashion – simply because good style doesn’t wear out.”
This is why – three TT generations and a quarter of a century later – the typical lines of the 1998 coupé can still be found in the current TT RS Coupé iconic edition. The edition model also remains true to the idea of reduction to the essentials; the minimalist design extends from the clear exterior to the interior, which is still clearly and simply focused on the driver to this day. The typical tube and cylinder shapes, which blend into the interior of the instrument design, can also be found in the current Audi TT RS Coupé iconic edition – such as the standard fuel tank cap, round ventilation outlets, shift gate edging, and the striking gear knob. The enthusiasm that was declared back in 1995 continues to inspire the TT Coupé to this day.
Setting the Right Tone: Dark Elegance on the Exterior
The special edition Audi TT RS Coupé iconic edition confidently meets the high expectations set by its aesthetics. The RS-specific Nardo Grey finish sets the right tone for the exclusive and athletic demands of the special model. This elegant shade of grey was named after the legendary Italian race track, Pista di Nardó, where Audi RS models also rack up their first test kilometres. As one of the most popular individual finishes with customers, it ensures an optimal first impression.
The stylish feel is further enhanced by standard Matrix LED lights and the glossy black grille with a matte black single-frame, which clearly emphasizes the quattro lettering in a matte titanium look. The RS model also confidently wears side skirts in glossy black, along with the Audi rings, the TT RS model designation on the front and rear, as well as the casings of the exterior mirrors. The unique 20-inch glossy black alloy wheels with a seven-arm design and matching black brake calipers continue the design language down to the last detail. Partially frosted rear triangular windows with the exclusive “iconic edition” lettering complete the striking dark look of the coupé right down to the rear and the standard OLED rear lights.
Motorsports Genes: Aerokit Enhances Sporty Character
The Audi TT RS Coupé iconic edition also gains dynamic strength from the Aerokit, developed in a wind tunnel. Inspired by motorsports, the front apron features side flics, a front splitter, and blades in the side front air intakes.
At the rear, the fixed carbon rear wing, with its side winglets, ensures a sporty finish and, as part of the aerodynamic concept, supports both performance and efficiency.
There are vertical design elements on both sides above the RS-specific diffuser. The two striking, oval-shaped exhaust tailpipes remain the RS signature at the rear end.
The relationship between drag and lift was explicitly taken into account during the development of the Aerokit in the wind tunnel and is thus optimally balanced – improving both aerodynamics and driving performance. The increased contact pressure of the rear wing and rear diffuser places the sports car much more firmly on the road and significantly improves handling in fast corners.
11 of 100: Highly Exclusive Interior Design Accents
The interior of the Audi TT RS Coupé iconic edition is characterized by exclusivity and attention to detail. Here, too, the dark colour scheme of the exterior remains the central motif, which is further accentuated by the deliberate use of accents from Audi-exclusive components. The RS sports seats are two-tone with fine Nappa side panels in jet grey and centre panels in black Alcantara, along with honeycomb stitching in calendula yellow. Exclusive “iconic edition” embroidery is embedded in the black Alcantara at shoulder . The black floor mats are finished with RS embroidery in calendula yellow, whilst the door armrest and centre console are also in jet grey and decorated with contrast stitching in calendula yellow – just like the black cowl of the Audi virtual cockpit.
Further enhancements include black Alcantara on the door panels, the RS sports Alcantara steering wheel with calendula yellow marking at 12 o’clock, and a numbered badge on the selector lever which marks each of the 100 vehicles.
While the moody ambient light creates an atmosphere in the interior, the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 3D sound, enables a rich sound audible experience. A rear-view camera and comfort key enhance the day-to-day experience.
Form Needs Function: Legendary Five-Cylinder Engine Brings Unparalleled Sound
The TT RS Coupé iconic edition relies on Audi Sport’s proven 2.5 TFSI engine with 400PS and maximum torque of 480 Nm. Numerous successes in motorsports make it one of Audi’s most compelling powertrains. Countless motorsports victories and strong day-to-day performance have earned the five-cylinder engine the “International Engine of the Year Award”, nine consecutive times since 2010.
As is typical of the TT RS, its power goes via a seven-speed S tronic to the permanent all-wheel quattro drive. An electro-hydraulically controlled multi-plate clutch, which debuted in 1998 as part of the Audi TT, distributes all-wheel power freely between the front and rear axles. The Audi drive select driving dynamics system allows the driver to control the quattro drive system and other components, such as steering, seven-speed S tronic, exhaust flaps, and engine characteristics.
The top speed of the TT RS Coupé iconic edition is increased to 174mph. This compact sports car sprints from 0-62mph in just 3.7 seconds. The engine provides a highly emotional driving experience, with its typical 1-2-4-5-3 firing order and the accompanying throaty sound. Because of the firing order, adjacent and non-adjacent cylinders fire alternately, producing a very specific rhythm and character which is emphasized by the RS Sport Exhaust system.
In addition to the usual low weight (1,475kg TT RS Coupé), the RS sport suspension plus with adaptive dampers in the Audi magnetic ride technology, ensure excellent handling and stability. Steering feel can also be adjusted through the Audi drive select driving dynamics system.
