A few months ago, we heard word Audi was hard at work on an even sharper version of its TT RS, and as it turns out, those rumors were true. Well, sort of. The German automaker has unveiled the Audi TT RS 'plus' in the EU, though the vehicle produces the same 360 horsepower as the fire-breather we sampled last year. The 0-100 km dash takes the same 4.1 seconds, though buyers in the old country will have the option of outfitting their purchase with a seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic gearbox. Likewise, the TT RS plus is available in both hardtop and convertible configurations, whereas buyers in North America can only have theirs as a fixed-roof coupe with a manual gearbox.

Interestingly enough, Audi lists the vehicle's curb weight at 1,450 kg, which is just over 45 kg lighter than what the company quoted us for the North American-spec model back in October. Given the weight reduction, we would expect slightly improved performance over the American TT RS, but the 0-100 km figures are nearly identical.

It wasn't long after we drove the TT RS that whispers of an even brawnier TT RS 'plus' surfaced. The vehicle was rumored to have 385 horsepower and weigh in at 59 kg less than the standard model. Y

 

There's a TT RS sitting in my local dealer right now. Too bad, if they'd offered the DSG that's available in the EU, it probably would be mine right now.

Manual gearboxes have their place, but it accounts for maybe 3% of my driving.