Audi has just released information regarding the TT RS Plus, a more powerful, faster and more dynamic TT RS. The TT RS plus will be available in both Coupe and Roadster versions featuring a 2.5L TFSI engine with 360-hp and 343 lb-ft of torque.

The German automaker didn’t specify when the vehicle will be released other than “early 2012″, but we reckon that customers can place their orders now if they really want one. The TT RS Plus is available with either a manual six-speed transmission or a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic. The Coupe version of the TT RS plus hits 62-mph in just 4.1 seconds while the Roadster does it in 4.2 seconds – both with an automatic transmission. Manual drivers will experience the acceleration to 62-mph 0.2 seconds slower.

Top speed is set at 174-mph and Audi is reporting around 27-mpg for the TT RS Plus. What is probably most impressive about the TT RS Plus is its 3,196-lb weight in a model with a manual transmission with quattro all-wheel drive. It achieves an impressive 1-hp to 8.82-lbs power-to-weight ratio thanks to its lightweight Audi Space Frame (ASF) chassis. The Roadster has a 1-hp to 9.26-lb power-to-weight ratio.

The TT RS Plus will come stock with 19-inch wheels and a large, fixed rear wing to increase downforce on the back of the car.

The TT RS Plus Coupé with manual transmission costs €60,650 (roughly converted to $80,600) in Germany or €62,800 ($83,450) with the seven-speed S tronic. The TT RS Plus Roadster has a list price of €63,500 ($84,385) or €65,650 ($87,240) respectively.

Announced for Europe Audi has not said if the TT RS Plus will be available in North America.

GALLERY: Audi TT RS Plus

Watch AutoGuide’s Audi TT RS Review /w Video Here

Audi is quietly planning the launch of the third generation TT sports car, which will continue down a path away from anything resembling the cutesy original. It’s certain to retain the unique profile, but Audi is planning a large grill up front (duh!) and larger lower air intakes. Out back, there will be an active spoiler, as well as a small integrated roof spoiler.

Based on the brand’s new MQB platform that will also underpin cars like the next-gen Audi A3 and MKVII VW Golf, power will continue to come primarily from turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, with 180 hp in base trim (unlikely for the U.S.), and a 220 hp version. Audi global R&D chief Michael Dick has confirmed the TT-S and TT-RS will return as well. Look for slight power increases in each model.

Inside, the TT could see a single unit LCD screen instrument panel that’s also designated for the next-gen R8.

[Source: CAR]

Audi has a legion of dedicated fans. In fact, a recent Visibli study found that the auto brand has more engaged social media followers than even Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. That must mean these fans have quite a few stories to share about how the German luxury automaker gained their loyalty.

Audi wants to share these stories with the rest of the world and to do so the company launched the “Remarkable Audi Film” series. Each installment in the series focuses on real people who discuss what Audi means to them. There are no rehearsed scripts – Audi just turns on the camera and lets the story unfold.

In the first installment in the series, Audi talks with award-winning and Grammy-nominated recording artist Ryan Farish, who uses Audi to perfect his music. After burning his tracks on a CD, he listens to how they sound in his Audi TT. In the video below, you can see what happens when he takes the new Audi A8, outfitted with a 19-speaker, 1,400-watt Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System, out for a test drive. You can watch the video after the jump.

If you’ve got a story to tell, send it to remarkable@audi.com. You may be featured in the next installment of the Remarkable Audi Film series.

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Audi is exploring the possibility of bringing more RS models to the American market, after years of on-and-off importation of select vehicles like the RS4 and RS6.

Both the TT-RS and RS5 are slated to be introduced for the 2012 model year, and the vehicles will be priced well above even the most expensive TT and A5 models. Like BMW’s M cars, the the RS models are sold in low volumes but are relatively high margin vehicles for Audi. The average transaction price for Audi vehicles has risen steadily since January of 2010, while rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW have seen theirs fall (though their transaction prices are still higher overall)

Peter Scwarzenbauer, Audi’s U.S. sales head, suggested that future RS products could make their way to America, but declined to specify what was in the pipeline.

[Source: Left Lane News]

The official launch of the eagerly anticipated Audi TT RS took place with the first vehicle was delivered to veteran race car driver Don Istook.

Last year, Istook was one of more than 11,500 fans that signed a Facebook petition to introduce the TT RS to the U.S. Istook was also one of the first drivers to race an Audi Quattro in the U.S in 1985, as well as driving the S4 in the Motorola Cup race series of yesteryear.

“Having raced at almost every major track in the U.S. and Canada, I’ve pushed the limits in many cars in my 34 years as a race car driver,” Istook said. “I like my street car to give me some of that thrill. With my new Audi TT RS, I not only get that thrill, but I also get that ‘race car’ sound.”

The 2012 TT RS represents the pinnacle of TT performance. The RS is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder TFSI engine that cranks out 360-hp and 343 lb-ft of torque. The TT RS has been priced at $56,850.

Tintek, a tuning company from the Czech Republic, specializes in wrapping sports cars with unique finishes. And while matte finishes are all the rage right now, there’s no denying that certain enthusiasts prefer something more flashy…like chrome.

In order to showcase their newest product that features some proprietary technology, Tintek has released a video showing off a chrome-wrapped Chevy Camaro and Audi TT.

While we don’t really expect chrome and gold chrome wraps to take off here in America, it’s interesting to see the trends overseas for those looking for something on the opposite end of subtle. We have to admit, both the TT and Camaro look pretty nice decked out in full chrome; and if your goal is to be seen, this is probably a very good option for you.

[Source: GT Spirit]

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Somebody in Audi management is busting out the champagne and Hoyo Monterrey Excaliburs. This past March gave them a series of sales records, including the best March US sales and the best overall first quarter of all time.

This was the third month in a row where Audi sales have set records, and in the U.S. March sales were the third-best monthly sales overall.

You want numbers? We got numbers, bucko. 25,383 vehicles were sold this first quarter, a 19.1% increase over the previous year’s. The record-setting March 2011 saw 9,818 vehicles moved out of Audi showrooms, an increase of over 1,000 vehicles from March 2010—or 14.3%. From February, sales increased a not-insubstantial 25%. Five Audi models saw sales increases of 20%: the Q7, Q5, TT, R8, and the 2011 Audi A8, which was the biggest winner—compared to sales from 2010, the flagship sedan increased its sales by an overwhelming 788.9%. From just 68 models in March 2010 to 1,371 this past month, the uber-sedan owes its success to its redesign this year.

Hear that sound? It’s somebody at Audi probably getting a promotion. Or another cigar.

As if news of the impending launch of the Audi TT-RS wasn’t enough, North American consumers will be treated to an extra 20 horsepower, according to Car and Driver magazine.

C/D spoke to Audi representatives at the Chicago Auto Show, where they were informed that Audi is pushing for a total output of 360 horsepower in North America, rather than Europe’s 340 horsepower. We won’t get the awesome Recaro sport seats available in Europe, and the only transmission choice is a 6-speed manual. But we’re hardly complaining.

A sports exhaust and a rear-wing delete option will also be available, and Audi claims that the car will start in the low $60,000 range.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Audi has been busy courting Canadian media outlets with some of their hottest product. Sympatico Autos, a popular portal in the Great White North, was given exclusive drives of the A1 Quattro, RS3 and (earlier in the year) TT-RS.

Given the penchant for smaller (and premium) cars north of the 49th parallel, we understand the movie, and Audi seems to be putting its money where its mouth is by unveiling the 340 horsepower TT-RS at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. The CIAS usually falls on the same dates as the Chicago show, and we know that there will be simultaneous unveiling of the 2012 Acura TL at both shows. On the other hand, we have no word on when the TT-RS will make its official debut in the United States, so this could potentially be an interesting story. Audi Canada would only confirm that this was the Canadian unveiling of the car, but we’re pretty sure that an American launch is imminent.

AutoGuide will have live photos of the Audi TT-RS launch in Toronto on February 17th, so stay tuned for the first images of Audi’s newest sports car.

Is the Audi TT-RS’s 360-hp and 174 mph top speed not enough for you? German powerhouse tuner MTM decided it clearly wasn’t enough for them and their customers. The result is a 472-hp turbocharged 5-cylinder bullet that’s already hit 194 mph out at Italy’s Nardo test track.

And just to show their tuning prowess and the potency of any turbo setup, MTM has fine-tuned the inline-five turbocharged power plant with an ECU retune, MTM’s turbocharger and a new exhaust system to hit the 472-hp number. The engine mods chime in at close to $20,200. If you want to back up the go with some show, MTM also offers new brakes, suspension, wheels and tires for around $13,900.

The wheels are a bimoto 20-inch setup wrapped with Dunlop Sport Maxx tires (at least it is on their demo car that hit 194 mph), while the brakes are a massive 15-inch setup with 8-piston calipers in the front.

GALLERY: MTM Audi TT RS

Check out the official press release after the break.

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