First-Gen Audi TT Custom Tuning at Its Wildest

Radical Vision - When a movie car makes such an impact that fans attempt to recreate it in the real world, it moves beyond fiction and into cultural icon status. That’s exactly what happened with the Audi RSQ from I, Robot. Although the original RSQ was never road-ready—it was a pure concept designed by Audi exclusively for the 2004 sci-fi blockbuster—some imaginative enthusiasts took the idea into their own hands, turning a few first-generation Audi TTs into wild custom builds loosely styled after the RSQ, crafted by an unknown builder.

This is a unique custom build inspired by the Audi RSQ from I, Robot, created from a first-generation Audi TT. (Picture from: Spicytec)

At first glance, these custom builds look like they’ve driven straight out of the movie set. The most obvious change is in the wheels—or at least the attempt to mimic them. In the film, the RSQ famously used spherical wheels that allowed it to glide and move in any direction. Of course, that’s impossible to replicate in real life, so the builders improvised by crafting oversized fender covers that give the illusion of round, enclosed wheels. It’s a clever way to channel the futuristic aesthetic without rewriting the laws of physics. 

This is the Audi RSQ from the movie I, Robot, which served as the inspiration for the custom Audi TT shown above. (Picture from: Highmotor)

The front end gets a dramatic makeover too. Forget the familiar Audi TT face—these replicas feature enormous, almost vertical grilles that echo the RSQ’s bold and otherworldly design. Paired with sleek, narrow headlights and smooth body panels, the cars achieve that “futuristic concept” vibe while still being recognizable as TTs underneath. From the rear, modifications continue with reshaped taillights, extended bumpers, and aggressive detailing that makes the cars stand out instantly in traffic.

This front view highlights the massive grille of the custom car inspired by the Audi RSQ from I, Robot, a unique build based on the first-generation Audi TT that pushes the design far beyond its original form. (Picture from: Spicytec)

Of course, these fan-made RSQs can’t match the technical wizardry of the movie prop. The interiors remain closer to stock, and under the skin they’re still regular road-going TTs. But that doesn’t really matter—the magic lies in the visual transformation. These builds are about passion and imagination, not practicality. They capture the spirit of what the RSQ represented: a daring leap into the future of mobility. 

This rear view shows the custom car inspired by the Audi RSQ from I, Robot, built on a first-generation Audi TT and spotted in Vancouver traffic. (Picture from: Spicytec)

Seeing these cars on real streets is almost surreal. They blur the line between Hollywood fantasy and everyday life, sparking the same kind of curiosity that concept cars do at auto shows. And while Audi themselves never turned the RSQ into a production model, the influence of its design has lived on, most notably in the Audi R8 that arrived just two years later.

 

In the end, these custom TTs highlight something important: when design sparks imagination, fans will always find a way to bring it into reality, no matter how impractical or outrageous. The RSQ may have been created for a sci-fi movie, but thanks to a few daring enthusiasts, its spirit continues to roll on four wheels—though with more compromises than its silver-screen counterpart. If you know more accurate details about the car's whereabout, feel free to share them in the comments below. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARBLONDIE | AUTOFUNIA | HIGHMOTOR | HOTCARS | GATSBYOLINE | SPICYTEC | RUSSEL PURCELL IN FLICKR ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.