APR ECU Upgrade - 2.5T RS3/TTRS EVO

FREE installation on virtually all new ECU & TCU upgrade purchases!

APR is pleased to present the ultimate engine control unit (ECU) upgrade for the 2.5T EA855 EVO (Gen 2) engine!

APR’s ECU Upgrades are the best dollar-per-horsepower modification one can make to the 2.5T engine. The upgrades dramatically increase horsepower and torque, making for an exceptionally quicker and more exciting vehicle. This is made possible through APR’s optimization of the factory engine management system to take full advantage of the engine’s capabilities, without needing any end user adjustment. The software loads to the factory ECU through the OBD-II port, resulting in a clean and headache-free install. Optional features, such as APR's EMCS Program Switching and APR Mobile are available. Furthermore, for those looking for tuning with a limited powertrain warranty, APR Plus has you covered!

APR ECU Upgrade Stages

APR’s ECU Upgrades are available in multiple stages, supporting various octanes both with or without any hardware modifications. Specific software is available for use with a high flow Race DP exhaust system and drop-in turbocharger upgrades are coming soon. Each stage is fully compatible with an upgraded intake, intercooler, catback exhaust, or other minor bolt on modifications.

Each stage includes optimizations to the factory boost gauge making it react more quickly and corrections to the power and torque gauges to match the increased output. Furthermore, we’ve added left foot braking, removed the speed limiter, raised the rev-limiter and added a motorsport limiter, adjusted the factory exhaust crackle to protect the catalyst, optimized cold start, retuned the exhaust flap actuation for the best performance and sound in multiple modes, optimized high altitude mappings, retuned the throttle for better response, and completely optimized the driving experience for street and track use making for a much more enjoyable driving experience!

APR Stage 1 ECU Upgrade

The APR Stage 1 ECU Upgrade is the first step towards making more power! This simple upgrade requires no engine hardware modifications, and produces 459-542 HP with 451-506 FT-LBS of torque, depending on octane. Gains as high as 66-132 HP and 88-146 FT-LBS of torque are available throughout the power band. To get more power, the vehicle can be outfitted with an upgraded intake, intercooler, catback exhaust and other small modifications without requiring any new modification to the ECU. Upgrading the small factory intercooler is highly recommended on this platform.

APR Stage 1 is available for 91 AKI, 93 AKI, 100 AKI, 104 AKI and E85 fuel grades in North America, and 95 RON, 98 RON, 102 RON, 104 RON, 108 RON and E85 fuel grades in the Rest of the World.

Please note, our E85 software is not a full flex fuel program. In this mode the engine is only designed to work on E85, as found directly at the pump, including both summer and winter blends from E60-E85. Using traditional pump fuels in this mode may result in engine damage. Do not manually blend with traditional pump fuel or race fuels. To ensure proper E85 content levels, APR recommends using an E85 content sensor. For maximum safety, especially on vehicles that see road course use, or long autobahn top speed runs, APR recommends NGK heat range 9 (NGK-R7437-9) spark plugs gapped to 0.024" ±0.002" or 0.6mm ±0.05mm with a change interval of 10-15,000 mi or 16-24,000 km.

APR Plus ECU Upgrade with a Limited Powertrain Warranty

The APR Plus ECU Upgrade is the first step towards making more power, and it includes our limited powertrain warranty. This simple upgrade requies no engine hardware modifications, and produces 459 HP with 451 FT-LBS of torque. Gains as high as 66 HP and 88 FT-LBS of torque are available throughout the power band, making the vehicle exceptionally quicker in all scenarios.

The APR Plus ECU Upgrade matches the performance of our Stage 1 ECU Upgrade (91 octane version). To get even more power, you can add any of our other Stage 1 compatible products and still be covered under the APR Plus warranty! To learn more about APR Plus, please visit the APR Plus website.

How APR Differs from the Competition:

The ECU is powerful, but extremely difficult to master. Without mastery, the ECU must be simplified, removing what makes it so desirable. The result is an incomplete product that often requires end user adjustment to maximize output in limited scenarios. On the contrary, APR’s Engineers spent the better part of a decade mastering the ECU to unlock its full potential. With complete access to the thousands of maps, tables and variables within, as well as a high-level understanding of how it works, APR’s Engineers were able to take advantage of everything the ECU has to offer. Power is maximized in nearly all scenarios, eliminating the need for end user adjustments. High performance operational modes are enabled and calibrated to deliver smooth daily driving, with a snappy and responsive throttle during moments of spirited driving. Mastery of the boost control system makes for an impressively predictable driving experience as the turbo spools quickly, delivering instant power, while torque-by-gear helps with traction control and protects the engine from being lugged out in tall gears. Lastly advanced high-output protection routines are enabled, allowing the ECU to make constant adjustments to airflow and fuel to cool and protect the engine, all without the driver knowing otherwise.

APR ECU Upgrade Standard Features:

Acceleration Enhancements: Beyond horsepower and torque enhancements, APR’s Calibration Engineers were able to increase the acceleration rate of the vehicle through other calibrations changes. Ignition delay is reduced resulting in a more responsive pedal without altering overall throttle sensitivity. Furthermore, throttle lag commonly noticed at slow speeds and while reapplying throttle has been reduced. 

Speed Limiter: APR’s ECU upgrade increases the vehicle's top speed limiter for blistering sprints around the track or across the Autobahn without the speed limiter shutting down the fun.

Left Foot Braking: APR's Left Foot Braking feature allows more control over the vehicle’s throttle. The factory equipped vehicle's throttle input is disabled while pressing the accelerator and brake at the same time. Left Foot Braking, a common motorsport driving technique, allows the driver complete control over the vehicle’s throttle and braking system, which may give the vehicle the edge it needs at the track.

Motorsport Rev Limiter: APR’s Motorsport Rev Limiter allows the engine to reach max RPM without the ECU slowing down acceleration nearly 150 RPM earlier. The result is more power to redline and a definable redline feeling as seen on Audi Quattro GMBH vehicles such as the RS4, RS5 and R8.

Increased Fuel Economy: APR’s Calibration Engineers paid close attention to several parameters directly related to fuel economy, especially while cruising at highway speeds. Depending on driving style and fuel quality, better miles per gallon may be achieved.

APR EMCS Programs and Features:

APR’s Enhanced Modular Chipping System, (EMCS), brings selectable programs and features to the factory ECU, without the need to purchase external hardware switching devices. EMCS has the ability to completely rewrite the entire operating map data within the ECU, giving each program mode a completely different set of calibration changes. On this platform, this is contrary to the industry norm of capping limits, using multipliers, only swapping portions of a base calibration, or relying on knock activity to lower output. APR’s EMCS features and programs modes are activated via the factory OEM cruise control buttons, and optionally through APR Mobile.  The vehicle’s cruise control will function normally while driving.

Program Switching: Program switching allows the user to cycle through up to four different engine calibrations and operating modes all without the need for external hardware.

Stock Mode: By selecting stock mode, the ECU calibration is reduced to factory load levels, limiting performance.

APR Performance Modes: APR's octane-specific calibrations are available for various premium and race fuels around the world. Each performance mode is a completely new calibration, altered specifically for the characteristics of the fuel quality selected

Fault Code Erase: Fault code erase allows the user to erase and reset engine related trouble codes and ECU adaptation data without using a specialty tool. 

Security Lockout: Security lockout prevents unauthorized individuals from using APR's EMCS functionality. When enabled, APR's EMCS features will appear completely invisible until a user specified 2 to 4-digit security code is entered.

Anti-Theft: When activated, Anti-Theft prevents normal operation of the engine even if the factory key is used. The vehicle will be completely immobilized until a user specified 2 to 4-digit security code is entered.

Valet Mode: APR's Valet Mode protects your vehicle from becoming an expensive toy for unauthorized individuals. By enabling Valet Mode, the vehicle's performance is extremely limited.