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

10: Audi TT RS

Classic car insurance company Hagerty has just released its annual list of vehicles that it expects will become the collector cars of the future. The list of “affordable” collector cars is capped at $100,000 and comes on the heels of the annual Scottsdale collector car auction week.

“After more than twenty years of witnessing car-collecting trends, we have the unique ability to look at new cars through the eyes of a collector,” said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance. “This year’s Hot List includes cars that are sure to develop a cult-like following because their characteristics resonate with driving enthusiasts.”

Starting off the list, and a favorite of ours is the Audi TT RS which retails for $56,850 and is a favorite amongst automotive enthusiasts as an affordable, fun ride without having to indulge into Porsche costs. The TT RS has plenty of global appeal which means it’ll have plenty of global demand down the road. And besides, Audi consistently finds itself at the Le Mans podium; you just can’t argue with success.

Just as the end of racing season draws near, Audi announces the TT RS Race Car is available for private sale. Although it shares its name with the production car, the new race car is nothing like it.

Rather than fitting it with the Quattro system that put Audi on the map, the TT RS Race Car is front wheel drive. Properly German, Audi is completely unfazed by the possibility of torque steer and extracted 380 horsepower from the production 2.5 liter five cylinder turbo. The engine is mated to a sequential six-speed racing transmission with paddle shift.

Other measures to tame this front wheel drive TT include multiple aerodynamic additions designed for extreme downforce and efficiency. An adjustable racing suspension will provide teams a wide range of tuning as well.

If the idea of a front wheel drive race car still feels uncomfortable, fear not. Audi has already put the TT RS Race Car against extensive shakedown prior to its launch. Intended to participate in the German VLN Endurance Championship, Audi’s factory team entered the car into the Nürburgring 24-hour race this past June and earned itself a class victory. It’s final testing was just the end of August, at a six hour racing event again held at Nürburgring. This time, the Audi TT RS Race Car earned the first ever pole grid position of any fwd vehicle and clinched the overall race win. You can’t argue against results.

The Audi TT RS Race Car is available at 180,000 Euros, or approximately $250,000.

GALLERY: 2012 Audi TT RS Race Car

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.

First came the Audi TT, followed by the TTS a few years later. Now Audi fans in North America will finally be able to park the TT RS in their garage, at least those who have $56,850 (not including destination charges and other fees and taxes) to spend on a new car.

This hottest version of the TT comes equipped with a 2.5-liter, five-cylinder motor that features TFSI direct injection technology and a turbocharger/intercooler setup. The result is a powerplant that produces 360-hp and 343 lb/ft of torque.

Power is fed to all wheels via the famous Quattro system, and the only gearbox being offered is the six-speed manual, so this will be a true drivers car.

The TT RS comes well equipped, wearing 19-inch alloy wheels and a big fixed rear spoiler. Inside you get 10-way power sport seats, BOSE sound system and an Audi navigation system that provides real-time traffic updates.

It has been a few years since Audi has offered an RS-model to the North American buyer, with the last one being the 2007 RS4. The TT-RS should be on sale sometime this summer.

Audi is still debating on whether or not to give us the Q3 crossover, which they secretly know would sell in droves to the purse-dog-carrying set. And to tantalize us even more, they’ve gone ahead and built some with the 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder that propels the TT-RS and RS3.

Like Germany’s answer to the GMC Typhoon, the Q3 comes with all-wheel drive and turbocharged motivation, in this case producing 300 horsepower instead of the  340 in the RS models. The Q3 also gets stealth mode: the only clue to the über-engine are small 2.5 TFSI badges and a new wheel and tire package.

The Q3 won’t go on sale in Europe for another year, and won’t go on sale in America until the end of time. But given Audi’s sales successes in America, one year will be ample time for its bosses to reconsider granting us the quick cute-ute.

[Source: Car and Driver]

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 unceremoniously gave the awesome TT-RS sports car its U.S. debut at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this week and has now provided more details on the version of the car we’ll get.

On sale in Europe for over a year, the TT-RS will get a power bump from 340-hp to around 360-hp for the U.S. market from the 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine. The increased output is due to some ECU retuning and will also be carried over to Euro-spec models.

So far, only a six-speed manual will be available and the incredible Recaro seats, as expected, will not be offered here.

Sales of the car are set to begin this summer with Audi claiming a starting price in the low $60,000 range. But with just 1,000 units being offered, you may have to already be in line to get one.

GALLERY: Audi TT-RS

[Source: Car & Driver]