Audi TTRS Roadster 2.5 TFSI Qu S-tronic Review

The automatic or dual clutch gearbox seems to be increasingly popular among the performance car posse here. Take Porsches as an example. The majority of the Porsches here don't have a third pedal. So it's no surprise that car manufacturers are introducing two pedal versions of their sports models here.

The latest of which is the Audi TT RS. The manual transmission TT RS is a pretty quick piece of kit but it seems that the six-speed manual gearbox couldn't hit it off with the epic motor - the shift throws were too long and vague while the clutch felt like it could do with better progressiveness in the way it engages and disengages.

It was a matter of time before Audi introduced a TT RS in two pedal guise and the brand with the Four Rings finally did so recently with the S-Tronic variant. With the new, long awaited S-Tronic gearbox option for the hot TT, buyers can now forego the stubborn manual gearbox by forking out roughly an additional $11k to Audi and opt for the two-pedal model. Both Roadster and coupe models can now be had with the S-Tronic box.

With its signature RS styling tweaks, like oversized air intakes on the front bumper, gloss black honeycombe inserts for the radiator grille, aluminium look wing mirrors and twin oval tail pipes at the rear among other details, the topless TT RS is one very pretty small roadster indeed, definitely a prettier car than its closest rival, the Porsche Boxster S. In addition, the TT RS ditches its retractable rear spoiler for a larger and fixed one on the boot lid for an even more aggressive and sportier stance.

The S-Tronic model is no different on the outside from the manual model that has been on sale for about a year already. The only visual clue that this is the S-Tronic variant is by peering in inside the car to check out the gear selector.