Audi’s development of its high-performance TT RS is fully underway, but the German automaker may have to rethink the car’s name, a new report finds. According to a source familiar with the situation, Porsche is taking issue with Audi using the RS nameplate as a suffix rather than a prefix.
For several decades now, Porsche has used the RS nomenclature to denote the highest-performing vehicle in a range– such as the Boxster RS 60 Spyder. Porsche feels that it should be the only company to use RS as a suffix, as to not dilute its brand image.
However, Porsche doesn’t have any objections to Audi using RS as a prefix, as in the RS4 or RS6.
It seems that the internal debate is far from over, but it looks like the name RS TT has a far better chance of riding on the TT’s bumper than TT RS.
04/23, 2:42 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Really Stupid.
04/23, 2:45 PM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
Yep… why doesn’t Ford try to sue everyone for using the “GT” badges on, oh, EVERY car in the world.
04/23, 2:47 PM
posted by:
400horseSS
Yawn
04/23, 2:51 PM
posted by:
mg198242
To HemiRoadRunner:
Because “GT” it’s not Ford “property” but mostly italian “property”, GT= Gran Turismo, and BTW, Lancia Aurelia (1950-1958) is considered to be the first car/model in the world that carried the GT plate and really deserved it!!!
04/23, 3:04 PM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
Well then excuse me. I didn’t know your life was so hung up on italian crap. And I know thet gt is gran turismo, I just don’t care. See you at the quarter mile luigi.
04/23, 3:15 PM
posted by:
400horseSS
^spaghetti, riggatoni, cannoli, and chili cheese fritos.
04/23, 3:30 PM
posted by:
roger426
It seems like Porsche would have problems with the prefix not suffix…Because its RS60 Spyder not 60 RS.
04/23, 4:06 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
Guess the Camaro RS won’t be coming out then….
04/23, 4:34 PM
posted by:
KillerEve
The rs60 thing is a dumb example. Porsche uses RS in GT3RS which denotes the track version of the GT3 and RSR for the actual race car. But still seems kinda dumb, I was also thinking same thing about the Camaro. LOL
04/23, 5:20 PM
posted by:
nowei
I am so indescribably sick of companies trying to lay claim to letters. Every single court in the world needs to look at any of these cases and throw them out immediately.
However, this is a different case altogether. The article doesn’t actually make mention of Porsche suing Audi, and I doubt that’s the case, because that would mean Porsche would be suing itself. Porsche already owns a significant stake in Volkswagen, which owns Audi, and is looking to become the majority shareholder in VW AG. So really, this is more a case of internal corporate politics than a legal debate about intellectual property. Frankly, it’s really none of my business how Porsche tries to order its own house.
04/23, 5:22 PM
posted by:
rsg
If Porsche doesn’t want this done it won’t get done. They own Audi, for crying out loud!
04/23, 6:04 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
Who gives a ****
04/23, 6:11 PM
posted by:
lambosrule25
Wow, I really don’t care at all…
04/23, 6:15 PM
posted by:
stick2clutch
roger426, its Boxster RS 60.. that’s why it’s considered a suffix.
04/23, 7:11 PM
posted by:
VegasBenz
The model is “Boxster RS”; “60″ references Porsche’s 1960 win at the 12 Hours of Sebring in the Type 718 RS; and “Spyder”, of course, designates it’s a roadster/convertible.
04/23, 7:43 PM
posted by:
GS400
Stop worrying about name issues, and start fixing your electrical issues.
04/23, 7:54 PM
posted by:
e36m
RS TT sounds better anyway.
04/23, 8:31 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
yeah it does. It flows with the rest of Audi’s RS-(x) lineup.
04/23, 9:37 PM
posted by:
Veda
Actually, “RS-T” sounds like a better name than “TT RS”. But yea who gives a **** about the letters.
04/23, 10:40 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Well, Porsche was responsible for the RS designation on the Audi RS2. I’ve already stated the powerplay that is beginning between Porsche and VW/Audi. The R8 will probably be the last supercar that directly competes with Porsche.
04/24, 7:16 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Audi only use RS as they bought Cosworth before Mahle had em…
What about The Focus RS, Sierra & Escort RS cosworths, Escort and Fiesta RS Turbos… Escort RS2000??? Ford RS200?? The list goes on… Damn everyone… All hail Ford…
04/24, 2:28 PM
posted by:
driven
HemiRoadRunner, mg198242 isn’t hung up on Italian crap… you were the one that brought that Ford should sue over the GT nameplate. mg198242 had a very good & accurate response to your comment.
Also, Porsche isn’t suing Audi. It is an “internal debate” as Porsche is heavily invested in VW (Audi’s parent company).
It is very common for companies to sue over marked names within their industry. Just to stick with the auto industry, Audi sued Nissan over the use of Q in their SUV line. BMW sued Nissan in Canada over the use of M in certain advertisement wording. Honda sued Ford for their Lincoln MKX suv being so close to the Acura MDX suv name.
It makes sense Porsche would have an internal debate with Audi over how they use RS since Porsche has a history of using the RS suffix in its top of the line vehicles. A top of the line TT should stick with Audi’s typical naming convention of an RS prefix instead of using Porsche’s RS suffix naming convention.