Audi TT RS announced

How low can they go? Zero to 100km/h times that is. The Audi RS3 smashes the four-second barrier, so the new TT RS will dig deep into the threes.

Mules filmed belting around the Nürburgring confirm it shares the hyper hatch’s 2.5-litre turbo five-cylinder, though boosted outputs of around 300kW/500Nm will differentiate the $80K hatch and the $150K coupe.

Combine the extra power with 1420kg (30kg less than previous; 100kg less than RS3) and a seven-speed dual-clutch, and you have R8-scaring acceleration for less than half the price.

On March 10, 2016, Instagram user autogespot_spain posted a photo of an undisguised red next-gen Audi TT RS, complete with a silver front splitter and matching side mirrors.

This article was originally published in MOTOR February 2016.