Audi TT RS Confirmed For U.S

hottest of Audi's TT lineup will finally be making its way to America, due here in the third quarter of 2011. The credit is due in part to a Facebook petition called "Bring it to the U.S." which saw 11,500 signatures over the course of a month. If you're not up to speed on the TT-RS, you ought to be. The 360-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder variant of the TT delivers 4.6-second 0-60 mph times in the TT's svelte package thanks in part to its quattro all-wheel drive. The mid-mounted engine is so good it won the International Engine of the Year award in its category this year. For those fearing a two-pedal dual-clutch solution, relax: the TT RS gets a traditional six-speed manual gearbox. Unlike Europe, where a convertible version of the TT RS is available, we Americans will have to make do with the tin-top only. Pricing and other details for the TT RS's American debut remain undisclosed, but you can be sure we'll bring you the latest as it breaks

2012 Audi TT RS

Audi's adorable little TT has a bit of an identity crisis. It's so cute that you sort of expect it to be a Hyundai Tiburon for chic, gorgeous women with impeccable taste and generous budgets. Nothing against those kinds of customers -- in fact, any such woman gains ten points for driving a hot Audi like that -- but the TT has never really been taken seriously by the testosterone-laden enthusiast crowd.

Making matters worse was a product lineup that was a little too densely populated for such a low-volume car. Choices are a good thing, but when so many different TTs are on the lot - front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive; turbocharged four-cylinder, VR6; dual-clutch automatic, stick shift; coupe, convertible - it tends to overwhelm customers and work against forming a clear image of what a car is about.