Audi launches new TT

Eight years after it first wowed crowds with its taut Bauhaus styling, the Audi TT has been reborn.

The all-new Audi TT Coupé was unveiled in Berlin overnight with substantial fanfare (see separate story). And when the covers were lifted what was revealed was a thoroughly new, though still familiar, two-door hardtop coupe.

Available in both four-cylinder front-wheel drive and V6 all-wheel drive quattro models, the TT will be offered with a choice of conventional manual or sequential S-tronic dual-clutch (DSG) gearboxes – at least in Europe.

The four-cylinder TT gets Audi’s established TFSI 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injected 147kW powerplant, with the V6 version boasting 184kW from its FSI-equipped V6. Expect a range-topping ‘S’ version with more oomph down the track and turbodiesel models – again for Europe, at least.

Wheelbase and track have been increased giving the new TT an even more purposeful stance on the road. The front styling has more than a hint of the maker’s Le Mans supercar concept about it with the gaping maw that is Audi’s single-frame grille thankfully toned down.

Wheels sizes are up with 16-19-inch diameter alloys offered across the range.

Coupe-only at this stage, Audi will launch a Roadster version of the TT. Our guess is early 2007, though the car could be unveiled later this year.

There’s plenty familiar inside the new TT too. Pride of place is taken by a deeply hooded instrument binnacle, with the now trademark circular vents arranged in an array across the dash. There’s no shortage of alloy highlights and we love the flat bottomed RS4-style wheel.

The new TT is longer (at 4178mm, + 137) and wider (1842, + 78mm) than its predecessor and clearly derivative in looks. Says Audi: “The bullish stance of the base body and the low, narrow styling of the greenhouse together form a sculpture of simple, unfussy lines.”

Built on an all-new platform, the new TT uses a composite aluminium-steel space frame chassis. Dubbed ASF (Audi Space Frame) by the company, the TT’s ‘skeleton’ is the first time these metals have been combined by the company in such a structure. Most of the chassis is aluminium (69 per cent) with the steel componentry used towards the rear of the coupe to help balance the weight distribution of the front-engined two-door.

Audi claims the new car delivers 2+2 seating though one look at the roof line suggests that the rear passengers will need to be acquainted with Madame Guillotine to fit. Boot space is increased and the rear seats fold for further storage options.

There’s fresh suspension tuning for the new car and Audi says the handling’s been tuned for neutral balance with “light understeer” at higher levels of commitment. Says the company: “This sporty orientation produces driving fun, agility and supreme handling characteristics.”

The new TT offers Audi’s electro-magnetic tunable dampers as an option and inside the coupe gets Audi’s MMI interface to simplify access to significantly upgraded audio, navigation and communication systems.