Audi 2.5 TFSI: years, specs & known problems
By CarWhere Research · Updated
The Audi 2.5 TFSI is a turbocharged 2,480 cc inline five-cylinder sold in the US in the 2012–2013 TT RS, the 2018–2022 TT RS and the RS 3. Output rose from 360 hp and 343 lb-ft to 401 hp and 369 lb-ft in the 2022 RS 3; 2025–2026 RS 3 models are rated at 394 hp.
Audi revived the turbocharged five-cylinder in 2009 for the TT RS, and the US got it for the 2012 model year with 360 hp, 343 lb-ft and a six-speed manual. Audi says that 2012 engine was the first gasoline engine in the world to use a compacted-graphite iron cylinder block. All versions share a 2,480 cc displacement, an 82.5 × 92.8 mm bore and stroke and the 1-2-4-5-3 firing order behind the engine's distinctive sound.
A redesigned version arrived in 2016 with an aluminum crankcase, a hollow-bored crankshaft, plasma-coated cylinder liners and dual injection; in the RS 3 Audi calls it the EA855 Evo Sport. In the US it made 400 hp in the 2018 TT RS, 394 hp in the 2019–2022 TT RS and 2019–2020 RS 3, and 401 hp and 369 lb-ft in the 2022–2024 RS 3. NHTSA has no engine-specific recall on file for the US five-cylinder.
2.5 TFSI at a glance
| Engine | Model years | Fuel | Peak hp | Peak torque (lb-ft) | Documented problems | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–2013 TT RS (360 hp, iron block) | 2012–2013 | Gasoline (premium recommended) | 360 | 343 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017-on aluminum-crankcase 2.5 TFSI (394–401 hp) | 2017–present | Gasoline (premium recommended) | 401 | 369 | 0 | 0 |
CarWhere lists 0 documented problems and 0 NHTSA recalls for the 2.5 TFSI, each with a source.
2012–2013 TT RS (360 hp, iron block)
The first US 2.5 TFSI, offered only in the TT RS coupe with a six-speed manual. Rated at 360 hp and 343 lb-ft.
2012–2013 TT RS (360 hp, iron block) specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 2,480 cc (151 cu in)[1] |
| Bore × stroke | 82.5 × 92.8 mm[1] |
| Compression ratio | 10.1:1[1] |
| Cylinder block | Compacted-graphite iron (a world first for a gasoline engine, per Audi)[2] |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual[1] |
2012–2013 TT RS (360 hp, iron block) horsepower and torque by year
| Model years | Application | Horsepower (hp) | Torque (lb-ft) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–2013 | TT RS360 hp at 5,500 rpm; 343 lb-ft at 1,650 rpm | 360 | 343 | [1] |
"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.
Which vehicles have the 2012–2013 TT RS (360 hp, iron block)?
| Model | Model years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TT RS coupe | 2012–2013 |
2017-on aluminum-crankcase 2.5 TFSI (394–401 hp)
The 2016 redesign cut weight with an aluminum crankcase and added dual injection. US TT RS and RS 3 models carry it with a seven-speed S tronic and quattro.
2017-on aluminum-crankcase 2.5 TFSI (394–401 hp) specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Internal name | EA855 Evo Sport (current RS 3)[9] |
| Crankcase | Aluminum, replacing gray cast iron; hollow-bored crankshaft[9] |
| Weight | About 160 kg, under 50 cm long[9] |
| Fuel system | Dual injection (port and direct), 250 bar[9] |
| Boost | Up to 1.35 bar (19.6 psi) in the 2018 TT RS[10] |
| Firing order | 1-2-4-5-3[4] |
| Assembly | Hand-assembled at Audi's plant in Győr, Hungary[9] |
2017-on aluminum-crankcase 2.5 TFSI (394–401 hp) horsepower and torque by year
| Model years | Application | Horsepower (hp) | Torque (lb-ft) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | TT RS400 hp at 5,850–7,000 rpm | 400 | 354 | [3] |
| 2019 | TT RS | 394 | 354 | [4] |
| 2019 | RS 3 | 394 | 354 | [5] |
| 2022 | RS 3401 hp at 6,500 rpm; 369 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm | 401 | 369 | [6] |
| 2024 | RS 3 | 401 | 369 | [7] |
| 2025 | RS 3 | 394 | 369 | [8] |
"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.
Which vehicles have the 2017-on aluminum-crankcase 2.5 TFSI (394–401 hp)?
| Model | Model years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TT RS | 2018–2022 | 2022 was the last US model year |
| RS 3 sedan (first generation) | 2017–2020 | |
| RS 3 sedan (second generation) | 2022–present |
Related Audi research
Confirm a car really has the 2.5 TFSI.
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Frequently asked questions
Which Audis have the 2.5 TFSI five-cylinder in the US?
The TT RS (2012–2013 and 2018–2022) and the RS 3 sedan (from 2017). The RS Q3 also used it but was not sold in the US.
How much horsepower does the Audi 2.5 TFSI make?
360 hp in the 2012–2013 TT RS, 400 hp in the 2018 TT RS, 394 hp in the 2019–2022 TT RS and 2019 RS 3, 401 hp in the 2022–2024 RS 3 and 394 hp in the 2025 RS 3.
Why does the Audi five-cylinder sound different?
Its firing order is 1-2-4-5-3, alternating between neighboring and distant cylinders at 144-degree intervals of crankshaft rotation, combined with the exhaust manifold design.
Is the 2.5 TFSI block iron or aluminum?
The 2012–2013 US engine used a compacted-graphite iron block. The redesign that debuted in 2016 switched to an aluminum crankcase, which Audi says cut weight dramatically.
Was the TT RS sold with a manual?
Yes, but only the 2012–2013 TT RS, which came exclusively with a six-speed manual. The 2018–2022 TT RS used a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch.
Sources
Ratings are Audi-published figures as cited; descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs appear only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.
- 2013 Audi TT/TTS/TT RS media information kit — Audi of America
- How legends sound: the revolution of the Audi five-cylinder engine (June 15, 2022) — Audi of America
- 2018 Audi TT/TTS/TT RS press kit (revised July 2017) — Audi of America
- Refreshed 2019 Audi TT RS makes US debut (Apr. 10, 2019) — Audi of America
- 2019 Audi S3/RS 3 press kit — Audi of America
- 2022 Audi A3/S3/RS 3 technical specifications — Audi of America
- Audi updates 2024 models with new standard features and expanded connected technology (pricing as of Aug. 3, 2023) — Audi of America
- 2025 Audi A3/S3/RS 3 technical specifications (rev. May 2025) — Audi of America
- 50 years of the Audi five-cylinder (Dec. 3, 2025) — Audi AG / Audi of America
- Most powerful production TT ever: the all-new 2018 Audi TT RS (Apr. 4, 2017) — Audi of America
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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by AUDI AG or Audi of America. Audi, quattro, TFSI, S tronic, e-tron and the model names are trademarks of their owners.