Audi TT RS 2019 revealed: "It's never been this masculine"

The heaviest hitter in Audi's TT family has just been refreshed, with a new, more powerful look now paired with the old, no-more-powerful engine.

But that's not a bad thing; Audi's potent 2.5-litre, five-cylinder engine is a punchy and powerful thing, and one that wasn't exactly crying out for more oomph.

Instead, Audi has focused its attention on the TT RS's exterior, with a newly designed front-end headlined by a matt titanium-look badge, and a gloss-black grille with matt-black framing. The air inlets are bigger, too, and there are new lateral air inlets that shoot backwards toward the front tyres to give the RS a wider, tougher stance.

There's also a new front spoiler designed to ape a racing car's, as well as interchangeable wing mirror caps (body coloured, black or matt aluminium or carbon-fibre). At the rear, there's a new fixed wing, along with two mammoth exhaust pipes poking out from beneath its rump.

Audi has focused its attention on the TT RS's exterior, with a new front spoiler designed and interchangeable wing mirror caps.

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At the rear, there's a new fixed wing, along with two mammoth exhaust pipes.

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The interior remains much the same.

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And none of it is by accident, of course. The TT, probably unfairly, has been accused in the past of being a "hairdresser's car" (though, presumably, a well-paid hairdresser), and it's a point not lost on Audi, with executives pointedly describing this new RS as having "never looked so masculine".

One place where it absolutely claims some hairy-chested brawn is under its bonnet, with the brand's very good 2.5-litre engine carrying over. And that means 294kW, 480Nm, all-wheel drive and sports suspension as standard - which is enough to rocket the RS to 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds, and to push on to a limited top speed of 250km/h (or an optional 280km/h).

Expect the RS to arrive in the first half of 2019, with final local specification yet to be confirmed.

Is this the toughest TT yet? Tell us in the comments below.