A pair of Audi RS performance cars have been caught testing and show what the German brand has planned for these ultimate examples of the TT and A5. The TT-RS was snapped in production ready form and shows off some serious design tweaks including two gaping intakes flanking the already gaping corporate Audi grille, chunky fender flares at all four corners and a pair of large oval exhaust tips embedded in the rear bumper. Powering the TT-RS is expected to be a twin-turbo 2.5L five-cylinder engine producing between 350 and 390 horsepower, which will easily make it the fastest production TT ever.

We were never particularly fond of the last generation Audi S4. With 4.2-liters of V8 hanging precariously over the front axle, it provided adequate thrust, but never delivered the dynamic thrills we used to associate with the twin-turbo'd V6 fitted to the B5 platform.

It's hard to do battle with MINI in the premium compact segment. The Cooper and its derivatives bring style and nostalgia to the game, proving that consumers are okay with spending some hard-earned scratch on an iconic coupe.

The Audi A1 Sportback - designed to fill the slot left by the discontinued A2 - lacks the MINI's wistful sensibilities, but it comes packing an extra set of doors, four usable seats, some handsome sheetmetal and an multimedia interface that ties in with the driver's mobile phone to provide navigation, music and an internet connection. Oh, and it can make calls too.

Volkswagen is set to debut a mid-engine concept at this year's LA Auto Show, and an Audi R3 derivative that could replace the TT is reportedly also being considered. With Porsche's increased stake in VAG, it was just a matter of time before rumors of sharing this mid-engine platform between VW, Audi and Porsche began to surface, and a new model destined to slot in below the Boxster is the obvious conclusion.