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Five Alive for Hottest TT

Work is under way to develop the hottest ever version of Ingolstadt's sports coupe, likely to be badged RS. It promises to be a real alternative to the Porsche Cayman when it goes on sale in 2008 for around 50,000 Euros.

The TT RS will use a 2.5-litre in-line five-cylinder petrol unit, its first five-pot engine in ten years. Early reports indicate that Audi will boost performance to a hefty 350bhp using twin sequential turbochargers.

All this grunt will be channeled through Audi's permanent 4WD quattro system and a six-speed manual gearbox though the DSG dual-clutch system will also be available as an option. Expect sporty styling with bespoke wheels, alloy-effect door mirrors, aggressive bumpers, RS-badges on the brakes and sill extensions.

Volkswagen's new 280bhp 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine, which is also lined up for a hot version of Volkswagen's European market Passat, will be released at the same time in a more refined form, to replace the 3.2-litre V6 currently powering the range-topping TT.