Audi TT with 591bhp and 600Nm revealed, massive salivating ensues

You’re looking at the most powerful Audi TT to date. But unlike the TT that was launched last week on our shores, this Audi TT Clubsport Turbo Concept may just be a one-off that’s specially put together for this year’s Worthersee Tour festival.

First, some numbers; and this is where it gets interesting. The TT Clubsport Turbo Concept runs with a 2.5-litre TFSI armed with an electric bi-turbo, which makes the five-cylinder engine fire out 591bhp and 650Nm of torque, which gets to all four wheels – quattro! – through a six-speed manual transmission. The show car is tips the scales at a feathery 1396kg, enabling a 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds with a top speed of 309kph. The real hero here is the bi-turbo that lets this concept TT cover up to 16 metres within the first 2.5 seconds, as Audi claims, which gives the car an immediate headstart of six metres over comparable competitors.

The electrically-powered compressor takes care of charging the boost at low rpms and then spools boost pressure even when there’s isn’t much exhaust gas in the chambers. This gives the car a near-to-nothing turbo lag, which translates into an immediate acceleration. This also allows Audi to shape the conventional turbo charger portion for use in the higher rpms, so that’s always monstrous power across the entire rev range.

Audi employs a compact lithium-ion battery in the boot to store energy required by the turbocharger through a dedicated 48-volt electrical sub-system. Coasting regenerates energy.

The idea of using electricity to charge up the turbo isn’t new. Audi have already debuted this tech with the Audi RS 5 TDI concept last year. This makes it the first time that Audi debuts the electric biturbo with a petrol engine in a very sporty show car.