When Audi first unveiled the RS version of the TT, it was dubbed a "baby" Gallardo, with some incorrectly assuming the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine was half of a Gallardo's 5.0-liter V10 engine. The original TT RS produced a healthy 335 hp, later raised to 355 hp in the TT RS Plus. The new 2017 TT RS retains a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo engine, but it now produces 400 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. That is only 20 hp less than the original V8 Audi R8 and is enough for it to keep up with the old V10 R8.

The new TT RS hits 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. That is faster than the old V10 R8 was with a manual transmission. Speaking of manuals, the TT RS is no longer offered with one, but the seven-speed dual-clutch should easily make up for this loss. The original TT RS was sold with a dual-clutch in other markets despite being manual-only in the US. The dual-clutch makes the car much faster and really suits the character of the new car, which will also be offered as a roadster. However, we aren't sure whether both versions will make it to the US, as the previous generation was only sold as a coupe. If you are looking for an incredibly fast coupe, the new TT RS might be perfect.

The previous TT RS was a fantastic car in a straight line. With a tune, the TT RS could dominate in a drag race against far more expensive cars like the Nissan GTR, Porsche 911 Turbo, and even its big brother, the R8. The new car should be even quicker with the dual-clutch transmission, and it shouldn't be long before we see videos of it beating expensive supercars in a race. Audis have never had the best reputation for track driving. The new TT RS has lost 22 pounds and is now down to 3,174 lbs. At 3,373 lbs, the Roadster is a little heavier, but both cars will probably be better on the road, where most owners will keep them anyway. If you do track your car, you may want to choose the RWD BMW M2 or Porsche 718.

The AWD drivetrain of the Audi is great in a straight line and will help keep you planted in the corners, but the added weight and classic Audi understeer may not be ideal on a race track. The Audi TT RS comes into its own when you think about it as a comfortable cruiser that can still make you grin on the road. The interior of the TT is a wonderful place to sit thanks to Audi's virtual cockpit. This technology helps keep the driver focus on the road and keeps the interior looking minimalistic. Sitting in the TT RS, you really do see hints of it being a baby Huracan which also features a virtual cockpit. The coupe and roadster versions of the TT RS will sell for 66,400 Euros and 69,200 Euros respectively.

We don't know how much this car will cost in the US, but it should be a good amount more than the TTS which starts at $52,000. The TT RS is a very exciting car, and we can't wait to get behind the wheel.