The legacy of Ferdinand Piëch, former CEO of the Volkswagen Group, is complex. During his leadership from 2013 to 2022, the company saw ambitious engineering projects like the Bugatti Veyron come to fruition, alongside less successful ventures. While he’s remembered for both groundbreaking visions and costly initiatives, a unique, one-off Audi prototype exemplifies his drive to explore new possibilities: the “TT Coupe RS4.”
The Genesis of an Unusual Hybrid
Before leading the Volkswagen Group, Piëch played a key role in the development of iconic vehicles, including the Porsche 917 and the Audi Quattro race cars. This spirit of innovation continued throughout his tenure, and this TT lookalike is a prime example of that pursuit.
This unusual vehicle, photographed by rare_cars_deutschland, is not a standard Tourist Trophy. Created in approximately eight months, it’s the result of a striking combination: an original Audi TT body mounted on the underpinnings of a first-generation RS4 Avant. In essence, it’s a B5 RS4 Avant effectively “topped” with an 8N-generation TT body.
Testing the Waters for a Higher-End Sports Car
At the turn of the century, Audi was considering a sports car positioned above the existing TT model. The Audi R8, as we know it today, hadn’t yet been conceived – its preview through the 2003 Le Mans Quattro concept wouldn’t occur until later, with production starting in 2006. To gauge interest and explore the concept, Audi engineers undertook this bold experiment: combining the RS4 Avant’s robust platform with the TT’s more compact design.
The engineering team didn’t just swap body panels; they integrated nearly every crucial component. This included the axles, engine, rear differential, wheels, and transmission.
Unique Engineering Solutions
To ensure the proportions remained consistent, the chassis was shortened by 6.7 inches (170 millimeters) ahead of the fuel tank, matching the TT’s wheelbase. This unusual prototype also incorporated the RS4’s twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6 engine – a feature never before seen in a TT, as the first two generations relied on VR-6 engines. Notably, the V-6 was mounted longitudinally, unlike the transverse layout of standard TTs.
The drivetrain also received a significant upgrade, switching from a Haldex differential to a more rear-biased Torsen system, borrowed directly from the RS4. This configuration, combined with a six-speed manual gearbox, delivered 375 hp and 325 lb-ft (440 Nm) of torque to all four wheels, making the “TT Coupe RS4” a serious performance machine.
Impressive Performance Figures
The result was a vehicle with exceptional performance. With an ability to accelerate to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 174 mph (280 km/h), the car’s speed proved its capability. Though the platform swap added some weight, with a curb weight of 3,417 pounds (1,550 kilograms), it was only marginally heavier than the later VR-6-powered TT, introduced in 2003.
A Rare Gem and its Legacy
Former quattro GmbH (now Audi Sport) product chief Stephan Reil, in a 2013 interview, described the TT Coupe RS4 as “unbelievably fun to drive” and even claimed it “was out-performing a 911 at the time.” Extensive testing revealed it accumulated nearly 12,500 miles (20,000 kilometers).
Ultimately, the cost of a production version proved prohibitive, and the Volkswagen Group pursued its goal of creating a supercar above the TT through the R8, a twin to the Lamborghini Gallardo. Although both the TT and R8 have been discontinued, Audi intends to re-enter the sports car market with a production version of the Concept C in 2027, this time embracing a fully electric powertrain. This singular prototype offers a fascinating glimpse into what might have been, and exemplifies the innovative spirit that characterized the Piëch era at Volkswagen.
