The Next Audi TT RS Could End Up With 400bhp

When the new Audi R8 made itself known to the world, there was one detail that drew our attention: the V8 wasn’t in the range, and only V10s would be available from launch. As much as this is a shame, that decision is starting to make sense, not just because take-up of the V8 was poor compared to the V10, but because it’s not powerful enough, particularly in the face of the next TT RS. As according to Motoring, Audi insiders say that this scorching TT will belt out 402bhp from its turbocharged 2.5-litre five-pot.

The old TT RS Plus was already - rather awkwardly - quicker to 62mph than the 4.2-litre R8, but a TT with over 400bhp would well and truly annihilate it by hitting the benchmark sprint in about four seconds.

All this flies in the face of recent comments made by Quattro Manager of Technical Development Stefan Reil to Top Gear - in which he stated that there would be no ‘RS3 Plus’ to sit above the standard 362bhp car. Apparently the engine isn’t up to the stress of a turbocharger that’s any larger than it is already without compromising “durability and service limits.” And don’t forget, the RS3 has that same 2.5-litre five-banger that’s expected in the TT RS.

However, a lot could change by the time the RS’d TT actually arrives - we are talking about a car which hasn’t even been officially confirmed yet, after all. And if it does happen, we’d certainly dig a 402bhp TT…