Why we all still love the Audi TT RS

Audi has never been afraid to take its own classics and break the mould. Take the most recent reveal of the Concept C – a radical all-electric two-seater sports car, proudly influenced by great Audis of the past, including a pinch of R8 and more than a dash of TT.

Indeed, the TT is one of Audi’s most instantly recognisable models, with its swooping, sweeping, Bauhaus-inspired silhouette. And while most people can spot one, it’s a rare sighting of the performance-focused TT RS that’ll truly turn an enthusiast’s head. That’s if you don’t hear it first, as it’s propelled by one of the most exciting engines Audi ever produced.

After a quarter century of innovation, it went out with a bittersweet bang in 2023 with the launch of the limited-edition Iconic and Final versions. So, as the TT matures seamlessly from standard bearer to living legend, it’s time to remind ourselves how it got here in the first place, and how you can still get one.

Explore Approved Used TTs 

The Audi TT: a 90s icon, continuously reinvented

The brainchild of Torsten Wenzel became an instant design classic when it first hit our roads as a Coupé in 1998, and while subsequent iterations have seen it inevitably evolve, the minimalist principles that underpin the TT have steadfastly remained. 

Exterior designer Wenzel’s intention was for the TT to appear as if it was all one piece, with the lack of a traditional bumper emphasising the circularity at the front end, and the circular motifs throughout conformed to his pursuit of the “perfect graphic shape”. The TT Roadster rolled off the line at the Győr plant in Hungary a year later.

The next generation only ramped up the fun factor, starting with the Coupé in 2006. Thanks to the introduction of optional adaptive suspension technology drivers could choose their preferred settings to deliver the best experience, no matter what lay ahead. This wasn’t just unchanneled power for the sake of it – this was the sensation of perfect synergy between driver and car.

It seemed then that the TT was heading in an ever-sportier direction, but compared to what was yet to come, Audi had only just begun… 

The birth of a legend

In 2008 and 2009, UK petrol heads were given two reasons to celebrate with the release of the Audi TTS and TT RS. The latter came with a 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbo engine capable of a punchy 335bhp, going up to 355bhp with the TT RS Plus. It was still a treat for the eyes, but now there was an even healthier dose of attitude when you planted your right foot, to the tune of 0-60 in just over four seconds. 

By the time the third TT generation came along in 2014, the TT RS’s iconic status was growing rapidly. That year’s model saw the original 1998 TT’s unmistakable lines reinterpreted through the prism of a modern sports car, while retaining classic touches such as the round fuel cap with TT lettering. Drivers could also now enjoy the debut of the Audi virtual cockpit, further elevating the TT RS experience into a whole new world of connectivity.

Thanks to a tune up to 395bhp, the engine’s chorus also sounded sweeter than ever, claiming International Engine of the Year a staggering nine times in a row.

The final stage of the TT RS Coupé’s development culminated in the 2023 release of the Iconic edition in distinctive Nardo Gray, limited to only 100 units in Europe. This fitting swansong was packed with design and technology callbacks from the whole TT lifecycle in celebration of its 25^th anniversary.

There’s still time

Far from being yesterday’s news, the TT RS Coupé’s retirement only increases its allure. So, if you’ve ever glanced at one longingly from across a car park, it’s never too late for Audi Approved Used to make your dreams come true. 

You’ll find models from two years old within the Approved Used range, including the fully loaded TT RS Coupé Vorsprung TFSI quattro S tronic spec. Looks like you need to clear a space on your driveway and start browsing.

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