CAR(S) OF THE WEEK

From Motorsport To The Road - Audi TT-RS Coupe & Ford Focus RS Edition

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Audi and Ford both have a history of racing that goes back to the beginning of the 20th century. Pioneering the long-distance racing we are now accustomed to at the Indy 500, Le Mans, and Sebring, August Horch would go on to establish Audi as a serious motorsport contender.

On the other side of the pond, Henry Ford was establishing his now world-renowned car company. In many ways, it was thanks to a series of early racing successes at the Detroit Driving Club in Michigan against accomplished racer, Alexander Winton, that gave Ford the publicity he needed to fully establish his fledgling car business. Over a century later, by 2003, Ford boasted 175 Grand Prix victories. That’s some story.

History lesson over; let’s fast forward to 2024 and introduce you to two equally compelling road cars that both companies’ ancestors would be proud of. First off, the glorious Turbo Blue TT-RS Coupe 2.5 TFSI S Tronic.

Blessed with a gloss black exterior pack, comfort and sound package, red brake calipers, carbon fibre interior trim, RS sports exhaust system, and a Black fine Nappa leather interior, the TT-RS has been done properly. As we’ve come to expect from Audi, the quality of materials, both seen and unseen, are some of the best you’ll find on a mass-market sports car.

But at the heart of it – well, that’s exactly it – its 2.5 litre 5-cylinder twin-turbocharged heart is what makes the whole package so delectable. In a world of uninspiring 2-litre four-cylinder food blenders, such an emotive powertrain gets you drooling when genuinely exciting engines are becoming increasingly rare.

And let’s not forget the magical Ford Focus RS Edition. Some might say that it’s a car for wannabee street racers who have watched too many ‘Fast and Furious’ movies, but that’s really just a lazy, untruthful stereotype. No, the Focus RS is for those who enjoy the act of driving above all else. Yes, it’s bold in Nitrous Blue, and the bucket seats are serious, but as an adrenaline-inducing instrument, and if you’ve not got a spare 300 grand for a Lamborghini, little else comes close.

So, which of our two intoxicating automobiles should you go for? The Audi is undoubtedly the best all-rounder – you could easily use it every day. And you’ll never tire of its exotic, V10-esque howl. It’s got 400 bhp and that’s enough to frighten you every once in a while.

But if you’re after a machine that feels as though you’re driving a rally car on the road, the Focus RS is the one for you. Yes, it has got marginally less power and a less sonorous motor, but you can still feel the passion, engineering quality, and detailed design undertaken by the Ford Performance boffins when you’re behind the wheel. They’re both enormous fun.

SEE THE TTRS ADVERT HERE

SEE THE FOCUS RS ADVERT HERE