Audi boosts TT S

Audi has announced a slight price rise, a significant performance improvement and a sizeable hike in equipment for the second-generation TT S Coupe and Roadster, which go on sale today.

Like others in the S family, the TT S takes the donor model and hots it up significantly, but not crazily.

A 210kW and 380Nm version of the EA888 engine also found in the TT boosts power by 41kW and torque by 10Nm. Compared to the old TT S, power and torque are up 10kW and 30Nm.

Audi claims substantial performance improvements over the previous TT S; the coupe accelerates to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds (-0.6 sec) and chews a claimed 6.8L/100km (-0.9L/100km). The roadster accelerates from 0-100km/h in five seconds (-0.5 sec) and consumes 6.9L/100km (-1.0L/100km).

Engine changes compared to the standard TT include modified aluminium pistons and higher-strength connecting rods. The crankcase has been reinforced. Valve springs and seat rings have been also been modified.

A 45kg weight cut for the coupe and 23kg reduction for the soft-top roadster help with this improvement.

And much of that dietary success can be attributed to the fundamental aluminium-intensive MQB-derived architecture TT S shares with the TT.

Overlaying that, TT S suspension has been lowered 10mm and magnetic ride dampers are standard (as they were for the previous TT S). The quattro all-wheel drive system is the latest fifth-generation evolution and – like the engine – is shared with the Volkswagen Golf R.

The engine, S tronic six-speed transmission, exhaust sound and quattro all-wheel drive’s characteristics and the dampers are among 10 items that can be tuned through a variety of modes and then stored together in an individual setting.

Bigger brakes are also part of the package, including 338mm front discs and new four-piston fixed callipers. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels are now standard, up from the previous 18s.

Compared to the old TT S, pricing rises $1000 for the more popular coupe, which now sits at $99,900. The roadster climbs $600 to $103,900. The mainstream TT coupe is priced from $71,950 to $85,450, while the roadster spreads from $81,500 to $89,000.

Audi claims the new TT S adds more than $12,000 in equipment value compared to the previous generation.

Apart from the new 19-inch wheels we’ve already mentioned, other gear over the old TT S includes the latest MMI navigation with MMI touch that works with the brilliant ‘Virtual Cockpit’ 12.3-inch TFT screen, full LED headlights with adaptive functions, front parking sensors and a reversing camera, active lane assist, electro-pneumatic backrest side bolsters for the Alcantara and leather-trimmed power sports seats, a digital radio, convenience key, ambient lighting and a storage and luggage compartment package.

This is in addition to standard TT gear including four airbags, the expected digital safety assistants, a tyre pressure loss indicator (there is no spare tyre), cruise control, climate-control, nine-speaker audio and Bluetooth with music streaming.

Matrix LED headlights (with dynamic indicators at the front and rear) are available as part of the $6300 S performance package, which also includes a choice of optional Audi Sport 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels, Bang & Olufsen sound system, red brake callipers, nappa leather and special interior design elements.

A $1900 Assistance package is also available, including side assist, park assist, auto dimming and folding mirrors, as well as high-beam assist.
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Audi is predicting the TT S models could account for as much as 30 per cent of total TT sales volume, with 75 per cent being coupes and 25 per cent roadsters.

The TT S is the latest in a regular roll-out of S models, with the SQ5 plus and S8 plus the next off the conveyor belt in the first half of 2016.

Read the Audi TT S full review