Review: Audi 8S TT RS Roadster (2017-on)

Review: Audi 8S.I TT RS Roadster (2017-19)

Overview

Released in Australia in May 2017, the Audi 8S TT RS Roadster was an all-wheel drive, two-plus-two seat Roadster. Manufactured in Gyor, Hungary, the Audi TT RS Roadster was powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged inline five-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to a seven-speed double clutch transmission (DCT or Audi’s ‘S-Tronic’).

2.5 TFSI engine

The newly developed 2480 cc five-cylinder petrol engine for the Audi TT RS Roadster had an aluminium block (in contrast to the graphite cast iron block of the CEPA engine in the 8J TT RS Coupe ), an aluminium-silicon cylinder head with integrated turbocharger, chain-driven double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder actuated by roller finger followers, variable intake and exhaust camshaft timing, variable exhaust valvelift and direct petrol injection (Audi’s ‘FSI’). To reduce fuel consumption, the 2.5 TFSI engine had a start-stop function which enabled it to shut down when the vehicle was stationary in traffic.

The Audi TT RS Roadster could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and had an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle, fuel consumption was 8.6 litres per 100 km.

Haldex 5 all-wheel drive (‘quattro’)

The Audi 8S TT RS Roadster had a fifth-generation Haldex all-wheel drive system which utilised an electronically controlled and hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch that was located in front of the rear axle differential (at the end of the prop shaft). If there was a loss of front-wheel traction, or such a loss was anticipated by on-board sensors, the clutch would engage to transfer torque to the rear axle ‘in just a few milliseconds’ for a 50:50 front:rear torque split.

Dimensions and body

Compared to the related Audi 8S TT Roadster , the 8S TT RS Roadster was 14 mm longer (at 4191 mm), 27 mm lower (1333 mm) and had a 3 mm shorter wheelbase (2502 mm), though width (1832 mm) was unchanged. The Audi 8S TT RS Roadster was based on Volkswagen AG’s Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) architecture. Furthermore, the power-operated roof could be operated at speeds up to 50 km/h.

To reduce mass, however, the body made extensive use of aluminium, including the side sills, roof frame, bonnet, doors and bootlid. The Audi 8S TT RS Roadster had an unladen weight of 1605 kg (included 75 kg driver).

Suspension

The Audi 8S TT RS Roadster had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, four-link rear suspension. As standard, the TT RS Roadster was fitted with the third generation of Audi’s adaptive damper control system, ‘Audi magnetic ride’. With Audi magnetic ride, the dampers were filled with magnetorheological fluid and damper resistance could be varied by the application of a magnetic field to the fluid. Audi magnetic ride also enabled the driver to select from comfort, auto or dynamic settings.

Steering

The Audi 8S TT RS Roadster had variable ratio, electromechanical steering. The ‘Audi drive select’ function also enabled the driver to adjust engine characteristics and steering assistance via comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency and individual settings.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Audi 8S TT RS Roadster included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags with thorax/head protection, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with load limiters and pre-tensioners.

As standard, the TT RS Roadster was equipped with –

• Active lane assist: helped drivers remain in their lane by making slight steering corrections via the electromechanical steering if necessary and alerting the driver via steering wheel vibrations;
• Side assist: operating at speeds above 15 km/h, Audi side assist used two rear radar sensors to monitor traffic up to 70 metres behind the TT RS Roadster. If another vehicle approached quickly or was in the driver’s blind spot, a warning LED in the housing of the appropriate door mirror would illuminate. If the driver activated the indicator to change lanes, the LED would blink rapidly to warn the driver; and,
• Attention Assist: monitored driver behaviour for signs of inattentiveness and issued a warning tone and visual signal if detected.

The Audi 8S TT RS Roadster also had an ‘active bonnet’ which deployed pyrotechnic charges in the event of a pedestrian collision to raise the height of the bonnet and locks to secure it to provide clearance over ‘hard points’ in the engine bay. In doing so, the likely severity of the pedestrian’s impact was reduced.

Wheels, tyres and brakes

For Australian delivered vehicles, the Audi 8S TT RS Roadster had ‘Audi Sport’ seven-spoke 9.0J x 20-inch alloy wheels in matt titanium with 255/30 R20 tyres. Furthermore, the Audi 8S TT RS Roadster had 370 mm by 34 mm ventilated front brake discs and 310 mm by 22 mm ventilated rear discs.

Rather than a spare wheel, the Audi 8S TT RS Roadster had a tyre repair kit.

Features: Audi 8S TT RS Roadster

The infotainment system for the Audi 8S TT RS Roadster consisted of a 155 watt sound system with nine speakers, two bass boxes and a five-channel amplifier, a CD/DVD player, digital radio tuner (DAB+), ‘Audi music interface’ with two USB inputs and auxiliary input socket (3.5 mm), two SDXC card readers, 10GB flash memory, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, Audi smartphone interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and Audi’s MMI navigation plus system with seven-inch display and live traffic updates.

Beyond this, standard features for the Audi 8S TT RS Roadster included power adjustable and heated ‘RS’ front seats with pneumatic adjustment for the side bolsters, Nappa leather upholstery with diamond pattern stitching, climate control air conditioning, neck-level heating, a power-operated wind deflector, cruise control, LED headlights with high beam assist (automatically switched between low and high beam), LED daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, parking sensors (front and rear) and a rear view camera (‘Audi parking system plus’), a leather steering wheel with Alcantara trim and gearshift paddles, remote central locking with proximity key, power windows, power adjustable and heated door mirrors with power folding, kerb view function for the passenger side mirror, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, push-button start, rear privacy glass, ‘aluminium race’ interior inlays, stainless steel pedals, ambient interior lighting, a 12 volt power socket (luggage compartment), floor mats, tyre pressure monitoring, a trip computer and an immobiliser

Inside, the 8S TT RS Roadster featured Audi’s ‘virtual cockpit’ which utilised a 12.3-inch, high-resolution LCD within the driver’s instrument binnacle. The virtual cockpit enabled the driver to select from two modes –

• Classic: the speedometer and rev counter were in the foreground; and,
• Infotainment: the virtual instruments were smaller to provide room for other functions such as the navigation map.

Specifications

• Specifications: Audi 8S TT RS Coupe and Roadster (May 2017)
• Specifications: Audi 8S TT RS Coupe and Roadster (June 2018)

Review: Audi 8S.II TT RS Roadster (2019-on)

Overview

The Audi 8S.II TT RS Roadster is expected to be released in Australia in mid-2019. Visually, the 8S.II TT RS Roadster can be identified by its revised front mask which has larger lateral air inlets (each divided by vertical strips) that extend almost to the front wheel wells. At the rear, the redesigned rear wing has side winglets and there are vertical design elements above the rear diffusor.

The Audi 8S.II TT RS Roadster will also be available in three new paint finishes: Kyalami green, Pulse orange and Turbo blue.

Features

Further information regarding features for the Audi 8S.II TT RS Roadster will be available closer to launch.