TT in its purest form?

The dust has barely settled on Audi's all-new TT, but the German carmaker has already conjured up a radical speedster version of the drop-top, dubbed the TT ClubSport Quattro Study.

In its PR bumpf, Audi boasts the design study "reduces the TT Roadster to a pure driving machine." Purism at premium level, or "Purismus auf Premium-Niveau" to quote the maker.

"The goal that the development engineers set themselves for this vehicle study was to achieve purism at a premium level," says Audi. "No hood, no A-post -- instead, a wraparound windscreen kept extremely low which deliberately evokes images of a speedster."

Although a toe-in-the-water design exercise at this stage, Audi says the "small-series production of this model is being considered."

Audi could not have picked a better place to reveal the car -- the famed GTI-Meeting in Austria, a must-attend event for lead-footed Volkswagen and Audi fans. (Look for VW's counterpoint, the Golf W12-650 here)

Though its unlikely Audi will admit it, the uber-TT draws some inspiration from archrival (and 'family' member), Porsche. Zuffenhausen produced radical speedster versions of its cars as recently as the 1990s. The chop-top 911s -- known simply as 911 Speedsters – are now acquiring something approaching collecter's status.

The gobsmacking TT ClubSport Quattro may well do likewise if a production version ever sees the light of day.

Visually, there's no mistaking it for the 'cooking model'. Its face is distinguished by an extra large single-frame grille, evoking memories of the 1930s Auto Union racers. Interestingly, the four-ring badge isn't housed in the grille -- as is the case with most Audis -- but rather on the bonnet.

The grille is flanked by large mesh air intakes that serve as cooling ducts for the engine and ceramic brakes. It also features LED daytime running lights, as per the new A5 coupe.

Massive wheelarch flares enclose 20-inch wheels with 265/30 R20 tyres, which help to increase track width by 80mm compared with a production TT (more here).

The rollover bars familiar from the TT Roadster are kept flatter and are now no taller than the bucket seats.

It's not just a showpony, as the 2.0 TFSI engine is said to "break the magic 300bhp (almost 225kW) barrier."

Drive is relayed to all four wheels, which Audi says makes the TT ClubSport Quattro the first new-generation TT with a four-cylinder engine and Quattro permanent four-wheel drive.

The engine is mated to the excellent S-tronic dual-clutch sequential gearbox, which can be left to its own devices or operated manually.

Thanks to a lack of cables and auxiliaries, the engine compartment looks extremely clean, says Audi, and the engine essentials have deliberately not been hidden under a cover. There's also a strut brace running above the engine to lend extra rigidity.

The predominantly black interior has been blinged out via garish orange highlights, which may not be to everyone's tastes. It's just like the rest of the car…anything but understated.

As an extra gimmick the car comes with a Bang & Olufssen MP3 player that slots perfectly into the centre air vent and towers like a black diamond above the navigation system.

-- with staff

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