A Big Step Forward

2011 Audi TT-RS (Euro Spec)

TT fans rejoice! Audi's 3rd fastest car, the TT-RS, will be unveiled tomorrow at the Chicago Auto Show and goes on sale this summer. We've been waiting for this car for a while. Ever since 2008, when the RS4 reached its production end, Ingolstadt's been keeping all the hardcore Audis, like the RS6, S5 Sportback, and TT-RS in Europe leaving us to whine and sulk about them not coming here. But thanks to a Facebook petition that was put up not too long ago by Audi of America, some of the RS models will be making their way onto our shores in the coming months. The TT-RS will be the first. And, because we were so patient, Audi has beefed up the super roadster just for us. The regular 2.5-liter Turbocharged Inline-5 engine has now been tuned from 340 horsepower to 360 horsepower. 0 to 60 is done in just 4.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 174 MPH. Unfortunately, while Europe gets the R-tronic transmission option, we're stuck with the traditional 6-speed manual. But, hey! Better having the whole car than nothing, right? After this, the all-wheel drive muscle car, the Audi RS5, will come over, but that's later. It's good to see Audi share their best cars with us.