The TT RS gives a real dimension to the TT range catering for all tastes and many wallets. The TT RS is at the high end of price and performance although it could easily be argued at $133,700 – plus on roads – you get an awful lot bang for your hard-earned buck with the TT RS. It is extremely fast at 0-100 km/h in a hot 4.6 seconds. That makes it the fastest accelerating TT of all time and easily eclipsing the TTS 2.0 TFSI variant launched in August 2008 which covers the same distance in 5.2 seconds in the auto and 5.4 seconds in the manual.

For those prefer an auto shifter, forget it in the TT RS which is sticking to tradition by only offering a manual shifter, a six speed. It's a cracker. For those looking for a roadster forget that too as the TT RS is only available in Australia as a coupe. Under the bonnet is an all-new 2.5 litre  turbo-charged five-cylinder powerhouse unleashing 250 kW of power and 450 Nm of torque.

“The TT RS is the first classic sports car to be introduced into the RS family,” said Audi Australia's head of product planning, John Roberts. Audi hopes to sell 80 TT RS units a year at $133,700, plus on road costs. The closest rival to this TT variant is Porsche's Cayman S coupe. The engine traces it heritage to Audi's highly-successful motorsport history. The five-ring emblem is no stranger to five cylinder cars. The TT RS was unveiled earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show. It is part of the new generation TTs that are larger, longer and lighter than the predecessor.

The weight reduction comes as a result of a largely 206 kg aluminium body with Audi actively pursuing lighter body weights as cars become heavier through new technology. The RS stands out from the TT with RS design elements including RS diamond-looking radiator grille, large inside air inlets and exterior mirrors in brushed aluminium. Telling the world this is a performance variant are a fixed-wing rear spoiler, diffuser insert and oval tailpipes.

The Australian specification for the TT RS is also impressive with 19 inch alloys, DVD-based navigation, TT RS bucket seats in Napper leather, sports suspension featuring Audi's magnetic ride technology, sport-shift six-speed manual transmission and the useful hill start feature. There's also a two stage sport button which turns off the ESP. At the heart of the TT RS is the first Audi five-cylinder for some time. It's a particularly short engine – just 494 mm long – and weighing 183 kg, it fits snugly in transverse fashion under the TT bonnet. Audi claim economy of 9.2 litres/100 km – which of course depends on driving conditions and style. The car is electronically speed-limited to 250 km/h, but Audi is offering a package that allows the TT RS to stretch its legs out to 280 km/h – obviously aimed at those who take their adrenalin on the race track.

The engine red-lines at 6800 rpm and is enthusiastic with a throaty exhaust roar in the process. Unlike most cars the engine cover has been omitted from the five cylinder which adds to the sporty under-bonnet appearance. As a compact, Audi TT has always been a selfish car aimed at young professionals. The TT RS takes this to another level with its performance. We took the car for a short spin through some windy rural roads south of Sydney and found it an enjoyable experience. The car clings to the tar with tenacity and turns in nicely with no hint of tyre squeal or coming unstuck. There's just a slight hint of understeer on the tighter corners at speed. We spent a lot of time punting through the hills in third gear finding it had enough torque in most situations between the lower end of the range coming out of bends and pushing between corners. Peak torque of 450 Nm is on tap between a low 1600 rpm and right through to 5300 rpm giving the car usable traction and reducing gear changes even when hitting it hard with the right boot.

The engine has a long stoke with dimension of 82.5 (bore) and 92.8 (stroke). The crankcase is made out of vermicular graphite cast iron and pistons of cast aluminium and the head of high hot-strength aluminium. Like Audi's successful race cars the five cylinder uses a combination of turbo and direct injection (TFSI) to achieve it high performance. The common rail unit injects fuel into the turbo tumbler at a pressure of 120 bar. It then swirls around the combustion chamber and cools the walls solving risk of knock during combustion. TFSI allows a compression ratio of a high 10.0:1. The TT RS has also borrowed on technology from the RS 4 using a baffle to reduce noise at low revs and then opening at high revs to unleash the engine's true note.

Visually the TT RS benefits from the RS additions and clearly makes it known it means business. It has the popular Audi daytime running lights – that are in all current Audi cars – in the xenon headlight surrounds. Audi have a couple of options which we like. Firstly, you don't have to take the fixed rear spoiler as an electronically retractable spoiler (which has been on TT since 1998) is an option as is conventional bucket seats instead of the tight-winged sports seats that may not suit every body shape.