Audi Reveal the New TT RS

 

Audi have revealed both the coupe and convertible versions of every airhostess’s favourite car. Except that the new model looks significantly more masculine with an aggressive new front bumper and a large ficed rear spoiler teamed with twon exhausts , the new TT RS oozes aggression and is looking to take on the likes of the BMW Z4 and the Porsche Cayman.

The RS features an impressive 400 BHP from a 2.5 litre 5-cylinder engine teamed with Audi’s signature Quattro 4 wheel drive system and a 7-speed S-Tronic gearbox. Those bring the TT RS a supercar rivalling 0-62 time of 3.7 seconds (3.9 in convertible form) and on to a top speed limited to 155 MPH.

Dr Stefan Knirsch, Audi Board Member for Technical Development says: “The new aluminum five-cylinder engine delivers 400 hp, which is 60 hp more than its predecessor. Together with the Quattro drive, it ensures sporty driving pleasure with maximum traction.”

“Controls and display in the new TT RS are focused completely on the driver. All information is displayed as standard on the fully digital Audi virtual cockpit with 12.3 inch screen. The driver can choose from three views, including a special RS screen that highlights the rev counter and provides information on tire pressure, torque, and g‑force, among other things.”

The TT RS is looking to launch in late 2016 with a price tag of just over £50,000 similar in price to a comparable Cayman and Z4 although a new Z4 may be in the Pipeline over at BMW which could scupper Audi plans.

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The Jim on Cars car of the Year 2015

5. Porsche Cayman GT4

Now whilst the Cayman has always been the baby of the Porsche range, the GT4 was a fantastic example of what Porsche could do if they didn’t stick with the 911. Whilst the 911 is a very good car I cant help but think the 911 would be better if it had the engine in the middle rather than the rear. Porsche have struggled past the problems with weight distribution and created a great rear engined car, but it took 50 years. The Cayman GT4 however is a fantastic car that Porsche built using a traditional format, and if they continue to support the Cayman I would expect to see great improvement in the coming years.

4. Ford Mustang GT 350R

I’m sure regular readers would have expected a Ford on this list so here it is the Mustang GT350R. Many would expect the GT350R to just be another muscle car, all power but no handling, but they’d be wrong. The Mustang has moved past the likes of the Chevrolet Camaro and the Dodge Challenger and I would now consider (particularly the GT350R) to be a rival for the likes of the BMW M4 and Audi RS5. The Mustang has always looked great and had good power, but now the car finally handles like a dream, and that engine sound, wow that’s worth the £42,000 price tag alone.

3. Volkswagen Golf R

Many will probably be surprised that the Honda Civic Type R hasn’t made this list, and that’s for two simple reasons, 1. It looks like it crashed through a branch of Halfords with a magnet and 2. It’s a horrible car to live with everyday. The Golf R however is fun to drive, quick, safe and most of all doesn’t have a stupid rear wing that blocks your rear window. Volkswagen may have had a lot of trouble with their diesels recently, and that has slightly overshadowed the new Golf R, but I urge you to look into it because underneath all the news stories is a great car, that is fantastic to live with everyday, and that exactly what a hot hatch need to be, quick but also practical.

2. Mercedes AMG GT

Mercedes have been doing great recently ever since the new A class was released they’ve been on a roll and the AMG GT continues that. I was very disappointed when Mercedes announced they would be dropping the SLS (I’d say prematurely) as I thought the SLS was a flagship supercar the company could be proud to put the three pointed star on. However the AMG GT is an amazing piece of engineering, whilst the SLS was quite a large GT car, the AMG GT is much more of a driver’s car, a sports car. The AMG GT is fantastic on track and then even better on the road because whilst it will still set your hair on fire its still great when you just want to cruise home after a long stressful day at work.

1. Mazda MX5

I have been struggling with this for a while, whilst the AMG GT is a fantastic car, its kind of what you expect from Mercedes, meanwhile the little MX5 is a giant killer, the new MX5 is same weight as the original from way back in the 90’s, and that’s still with all the modern safety equipment and luxuries of a modern car. As time has gone on the MX5 had become fatter and slower, but the new car changes that and brings it back to its routes of being a modern, ‘classic British sports car’. A riot to drive and up to date aggressive looks mean there was only ever one choice for my car of the year and that is the Mazda MX5.

Congratulations to Mazda,

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The Return of the Sports Car, Isn’t it brilliant

It’s a great time to be a driver isn’t it, there are so many great cars out there right now, and it seems we are getting a return of some truly brilliant cars, the sports cars. Sports cars have waned in popularity over the years, people are choosing to go for more practical hot hatches rather than the fun two-seaters. We saw the death of the Honda S2000 in 2009 and the MR2 gave up 2 years before that. Mazda had also appeared to stop bothering with the MX5 for a while.

But now I am happy to say the sports car is back, we of course have the fantastic Toyota/Subaru/Scion GT86/BRZ/FRS, and then we have the new MX5 next year to look forward to. We really are seeing a return of the true greats, however the Germans appear to be letting it slip the Z4 is starting to look a little tired, and the SLK has been overtaken completely, even by other cars within the Mercedes range.

The Italians are trying again as well with the Alfa Romeo 4C, which although being hilariously over priced is fantastic fun to drive. There are also rumours hovering around that Abarth may announce a new car this year based on the failed Mazda Alfa collaboration, and personally I think a modern RWD Barchetta would really energise the current Fiat line up which hasn’t had a truly fun sports car since the original Barchetta died back in 2005.

We do appear to have three top contenders for the crown of top sports car now, which has been severely lacking in recent years, the new MX5 will undoubtedly be there for Japan the Italians will wield the 4C and the Germans can bring the excellent handling of the Porsche Cayman. Three great cars for the modern era of sports cars we can only hope that the sports car doesn’t go away like it did before as they are some of the most fun cars you can drive.

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