2019 AUDI TT RS | WUAASAFV2K1900809

Body Styles

The Audi TT RS (2016–2023) was offered in two distinct body styles: a hardtop coupé and an open-air roadster, both built on the MQB platform. The coupé was a compact 2-door fastback hatch with a sharply raked roofline that flowed seamlessly into an integrated rear spoiler or fixed wing, depending on configuration. Its proportions were short and muscular, with minimal front and rear overhangs, emphasizing a low center of gravity and a planted, wide stance. The short wheelbase and high beltline gave it an agile, squat presence, while the low-slung hood, aggressive air intakes, and flared fenders created a visual link to Audi’s motorsport heritage.

The TT RS roadster shared the same dimensions but replaced the fixed roof with a fully automatic fabric soft top, which folded neatly behind the seats without compromising rear styling. With the roof down, the roadster revealed twin roll hoops and an aerodynamic deck that retained the coupe’s curvaceous character. Despite lacking a rear bench or traditional sedan-like trunk, both body styles offered a hatch-style rear opening for surprisingly usable cargo space. Measuring just over 4.2 meters in length and around 1.8 meters in width, the TT RS stood out as a compact sport coupe with mid-engined visual cues, emphasizing purity of form and performance over practicality or rear seating.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

“TT” originally references the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy motorcycle races, which Audi’s predecessor NSU participated in. The name symbolizes heritage, compact performance, and precision. “RS” stands for RennSport (German for "racing sport") — Audi’s highest-performance designation, positioned above S-line and S models.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The Audi TT RS (2016–2023) was offered in a mix of bold performance-oriented shades and classic Audi tones, carefully curated to emphasize its compact proportions and aggressive styling. Signature colors included Nardo Grey, Turbo Blue, Kyalami Green, Glacier White, Mythos Black, Tango Red, and Daytona Grey Pearl, with Ara Blue Crystal Effect offered as a launch color on early models. Special Audi Exclusive and RS Design packages allowed for custom paint-to-sample options, including Sebring Black, Goodwood Green, and Velvet Purple, alongside rare matte and satin finishes for added visual drama.

The TT RS’s performance character was reflected in its interior materials and finishes. Standard upholstery consisted of Fine Nappa leather with diamond stitching and embossed RS logos, available in colors such as Black with Rock Gray stitching, Express Red, and Palomino Brown, with optional Alcantara inserts for enhanced grip and sportiness. The RS design package further added colored seatbelts, contrast air vent rings, and RS-specific floor mats, often in Red or Blue themes.

Trim elements included brushed aluminum, piano black, and carbon fiber inlays, while the virtual cockpit display featured a unique RS layout with a central tachometer and configurable performance metrics. The flat-bottom RS steering wheel came wrapped in Alcantara or perforated leather, accented with red or blue contrast stitching and an engine start/stop button integrated directly onto the wheel.

Wheel options were essential to the TT RS’s visual identity. Standard models featured 19-inch cast aluminum wheels in 5-arm blade or 5-spoke polygon designs, while optional 20-inch forged alloys added presence and performance. These wheels were available in finishes such as Gloss Anthracite Black, Titanium Matte, or Machined Silver with black accents, often paired with performance tires optimized for grip and low rolling resistance.

Behind the wheels, ventilated steel or optional carbon-ceramic brake discs with 8-piston front calipers were visible, typically painted gloss red, black, or blue, and branded with the RS logo. Coupled with magnetic ride suspension and quattro all-wheel drive, the TT RS's stance was purposeful and planted, supported visually by wide wheels tucked under subtly flared fenders — a compact performance icon that looked as serious as it drove.

Top Expensive Options

• RS Design Package with Colored Stitching and Seatbelts: $1,500
• Dynamic Package (Sport Exhaust, Magnetic Ride): $3,500
• 20" Forged Wheels with Performance Tires: $2,500
• Carbon Fiber Mirror Caps and Inlays: $2,000
• Matrix LED Headlights with Dynamic Indicators: $1,400
• Bang & Olufsen 12-Speaker Premium Audio System: $950
• Red Brake Calipers with RS Branding: $650
• OLED Taillights with Dynamic Animation: $900
• Sport Exhaust with Black Tips (standard in some markets): $1,200
• Extended Leather and Alcantara Pack: $1,800

vs Competitors

The TT RS competed with the Porsche 718 Cayman S/GTS, BMW M2 Competition, and Alpine A110S. Against the Porsche, the TT RS offered more torque, AWD confidence, and superior real-world acceleration, though less steering feedback. The M2 was more analog and rear-driven but couldn’t match the TT RS’s launch capability or interior tech. The Alpine was lighter and more agile, but lacked the straight-line punch and prestige of the TT RS.

Audi’s trump card was versatility — the TT RS could be a daily commuter, a backroad brawler, and a weekend toy, all without compromises. Its combination of power, traction, and compact usability made it a unique offering in the segment.

Fun Fact

The 2.5L five-cylinder engine in the TT RS — the EA855 evo — won International Engine of the Year in its category nine times in a row (2010–2018). It’s a modern homage to Audi’s Group B rally cars of the 1980s, and its distinctive 1-2-4-5-3 firing order produces a warbling, exotic soundtrack unlike anything else on the road. It’s also the last five-cylinder engine in production from a major manufacturer — making the TT RS a future icon of internal combustion uniqueness.