Audi now offers three sports-car concepts: the mid-engined R8 sports car , the five-cylinder TT RS and RS 5 technocrats

guarantee that Audi RS models with the promising additional driving pleasure , may be assumed to be known . That the mid-engined R8 athlete not only looks fast, he has proven itself in numerous tests. But as the current Audi bullets hit the internal rivalry ? If the R8 really the true- athletes, or pulls it to the RS 5 in serious cases even from? And how far do the racing talents of the TT RS? If they end the best choice for hug the curves represent ?

Body
From the outside, is unquestionably the R8 the only true sports. Its mid-engine design offers a sophisticated, flat lines and unusual proportions. However, due to the installation position of the V8 between the front and rear axles and the total absence of a workable boot. The shaft in the front takes just 100 liters of luggage. Rear seats are also unthinkable. There is a custom-made luggage set ( from 2.300 € ), which uses the sparse space (90 liters ) behind the seats makes sense.

The conventionally designed RS 5 offers much more in this respect : the trunk has a storage capacity of 455 liters, keep it in the back seat and two adults from problems. The rear seats are also folded down, one ski bag is fitted as standard . For a sporty look alongside provide dramatically shaped front and rear aprons , the lush wheel flares and wide skirts . The aluminum mirror housings tell the connoisseur that this is a Audi A5 stands with powerful Bumms . from the 120 km / h independently moving out spoiler - he descends below 80 km / h again - in the trunk lid fits but at low speed invisibly into the coupé silhouette.

Quite different from the fixed wings on the rump of the TT RS ( deleted on request). Together with the wide-open cooling air abysses in the front wheel arches and the chubby , he also stands out clearly from the civilized TT versions. Its rear seats are good but best for children. Consequently , the two niches can even officially as child car seats ( group III, and 1.25 m, 40 € declare ). In addition, the two emergency seats are folded down, whereby the volume of the trunk increases from 290 to 700 liters.

Comfort
Naturally, the three roll Sportsman quite tight down, after all, they all have sports suspension and generously dimensioned wide tires with very low cross sections. However, the test car help the genuine Yamaha adaptive damping systems at acceptable compromises of agile handling and peaceful rolling. On confidently mastered the discipline of RS 5That only when moving joints and drainage channels are noticeable with violent rumbling.

The TT feels a little bit on bad stretches , but overall a stiff-legged track . And the R8 Although leaves on long stretches of motorway a very harmonious impression reports transverse joints , and individual obstacles such as manhole covers but noticeably harsher further than his colleagues . Although our test car is in principle the same bucket seat (option installed ) to small differences in seat comfort, because the furniture in RS 5 a tiny mounted too high , while the deeper position in the R8 Agility in getting in and out calls .

The noise irritated Rating : The TT RS charged according to meter the quietest interior noise , annoying but under load with a penetrating roar. This is certainly in part on the account of the optional sports exhaust in the test car. The under RS 5 Assembled sports exhaust also creates a rich sound , but remains free of unwanted side effects. At present a total of discreet R8, the first from 4,500 rpm right meaty sounds . In a quiet driving his V8 however, never played in the foreground.

Engine and transmission
But who is fully on the gas increases and the 4.2 -liter V8 ausdreht with gasoline direct injection , experiences the R8 as fiery Hotspur : In just 4.3 seconds, catapulting the flounder to 100 km 160 km / h they reached in 10.1 seconds, 200 km / h after 15.9 seconds . Only when the speedometer is at 316 km / h (equivalent to real 301 km / h ), the forward ends . Any other questions ? Yes: How good is the RS 5? Finally, the principle identical V8 makes 30 again , thanks to optimized control horsepower. In addition, the maximum torque is the earlier of each of 430 Nm 500 rpm.

The answer : Up to 100 km / h is the almost 200 kg heavier RS 5 back by 0.2 seconds. And 200 , however, he reached as fast as the R8. However, the electronic controls from the 5 Series at least 280 km / h . This also applies to the TT RS, Who until then but despite its shortcomings power (340 hp) sold expensive. At 100 km / h, it is situated between the two V8 - type, and only above 160 km / h (10.3 s ) he must draw , the two cars: At 200 , he lags behind 1.5 seconds. Therefore , the five-cylinder engine in the TT content of the test round with an average consumption of 11.3 liters and undercuts the V8 counterparts by 2.5 liters ( RS 5 ) and 3.2 liters (R8 ).

As an optimal complement to the turbocharged engine is recommended while the seven- gear dual-clutch S- tronic ( available in October ). In the RS 5 is the perfect S -tronic series . The sequential six-speed circuit in the R8 however annoying at times with a bumpy switching maneuvers and some tentative responses to manual switching commands . dips in the price lists of R8 4.2 FSI incidentally, already with 430 hp at 7900 rpm on . But these vehicles will be available until autumn - then met the athletes and the Euro - 5 standard. For now, it meets only the limit values of Euro 4

Driving Dynamics
compensated on the handling course R8 for a first-class performance . Although his four-wheel drive derives more than 35 percent of power to the front wheels makes the installation position of the engine for proper grip. At the same time boasts a direct and precise steering response and clear feedback. No one reaches such high cornering speeds , such as the R8, No other athlete from Audi can thus be nimble measure exactly by changing curves. However, the demands R8 when crossing the border detention even the most driving skills , because he certainly prone to severe load change reactions , and swings out with the rear . And the optional ceramic stopper of the test cars required the longest total stopping distance.

The TT RS must do its part but with steel brakes , is nevertheless at the earliest. He sweeps around the course , only so that it is a joy. He also reached a level of grip that can hardly fathom on public roads . However, if you on the limit load changes provoked , surprised by sudden instability of the rear axle - a short step on the gas, and everything is back in balance . However, missing from the TT on the handling course 2.4 seconds on the R8. That is clear. It is even clearer , however, that the RS 5 in this trio is good for the least race car. Although he scores with his totally smooth ride , but remains behind in the lap one more second. Subjectively , the distance even greater, because the RS 5 felt in every corner can be very heavy .

The aluminum bodies of TT and R8 the mass of vehicles to reduce markedly. If the RS 5 Curve reaches its limit speed , is forging good-natured, but also a little slow on the front wheels to the outside. Shortly Lupfer, and the wagon is back on track. Surprise : The last test car ( Issue 13 ) without adaptive damper has a total harmonic felt . Also , the optional sport differential is not entirely convinced. Only when the input rate curve is not too high, the differential allows the car with dosed gas shocks by the curve to conduct by deliberately draws more power to the outer rear wheel.

Environment & Costs
The fact that the TT RS the cheapest car was to be expected . The fact that the R8 so expensive , is surprised. The bucket seats cost about the TT € 2855 , in RS 5 2800 € and R8 (With electric adjustment of the backrest ) 4240 € . The ceramic brake is 2820 € more expensive than in the RS 5. And the aluminum-look shift paddles of free charge only in the R8 - 250 € .

Conclusion
The Audi RS 5 will be the winner on points. As the only sports car virtues he combines with an ordinary space for four people and travel a considerable comfort. The TT RS satisfied with his strong sporting temperament , and yet offers a high level of everyday utility , while the R8 though unchallenged embodies the dynamic vehicle, but also requires the greatest concessions - and a tightly stuffed wallet.



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