2012 Audi TT RS starting price set at $56,850

If you have your heart set on the top-shelf Audi TT RS, prepare to pony up $56,850 plus destination and what we’d assume are plenty of options to put one in the garage.

Worth it? You decide: The highest-performance TT will get a 2.5-liter turbo five with 360 hp and 343 lb-ft of torque, with the twist available from just about off-idle to 5,400 rpm. Audi magnetic ride, the company’s aluminum-and-steel body construction and a host of RS-specific interior and exterior upgrades round out the package.

If it sounds like fun, you don’t have long to save your pennies: The TT RS will be on sale later this summer.

Full Audi press release below:

Audi announces pricing for 2012 MY TT RS

• Introduction of TT RS marks the much anticipated return of the RS nameplate to U.S.

• TT RS fitted with a manual transmission and the award-winning, powerful 2.5 Liter TFSI

By Andrew Stoy