Harnessing 400hp on the road requires some skill, but the 2018 Audi TT RS makes it seem easier than you might think.
The combination of the Quattro all-wheel drive with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission means that grip is always there and shifting a gear is just a pull of a paddle away.
Add to that the multi-awarded five-cylinder 2.5-liter turbo engine that makes 400hp and 354lb-ft and one of the most characterful soundtracks on the segment, and the TT RS suddenly becomes a more appealing package than what its style-heavy approach might suggest.
Straight-line performance is easily comparable with much more expensive metal, as the German coupe can hit 60mph from a standstill in just 3.6 seconds and it won’t stop accelerating until it hits 174mph if you tick the optional Dynamic Plus package.
Despite the impressive numbers, the TT RS remains a friendly car to drive fast, presenting easy-to-control understeer close to the limit. It might not be the most fascinating sports car out there, but it makes really fast progress with the least amount of effort from the driver.
As Carlos Lago from Edmunds explains, the TT RS is an impressive car, but at its price range, the competition is really stiff.
