The new Audi TT - a fresh update for the design icon

In 1998, the first generation of the Audi TT made its series premiere. Three years earlier, Audi has already revealed the TT as a concept car – a coupé was shown at the IAA in Frankfurt and a Roadster was presented at the Tokyo Motor Show. After the market launch, the TT Coupé had risen quickly to the top of its segment.

The Audi TT exemplifies driving pleasure, design, and close attention to detail: aluminum elements in the driver-oriented interior, progressive rim design, a short, ball-shaped gear level knob, characteristic tank flap and round, dual-branch tailpipes are among the typical features of this compact sports car. Its design features with its incisive geometric forms have garnered fans from all around the world.

On the 20th anniversary of the first Audi TT, the brand is particularly featuring the sports car character of the new model. Besides refining the design of the new TT, Audi also enhanced its performance and even extended the range of its standard equipment. On top of the driver-oriented Audi virtual cockpit, the basic version of the new model now features the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, a rain and light sensor, heated exterior mirrors and multifunction steering wheel plus, with which the infotainment and voice control system can be independently controlled using the steering wheel. Illuminated USB ports and Bluetooth for wireless pairing of devices also come standard with the new model.

The exterior design of the new TT is now more masculine, more progressive, and even sportier than before. The front of the new TT features a three-dimensional Singleframe radiator grille with large side air inlets to emphaise its width, even in the basic version.

At its rear, horizontal lines highlight the width of the new Audi TT. Just like a typical sports car, drivers can insert the gas pump nozzle directly into the opening as there is no cap underneath the tank flap. Headlights with LED or Matrix LED can be added as an option while the dynamic turn signals are a visual highlight on the new TT.

The newly designed, optional S line exterior package further accentuates the sporty character of the Audi TT. Its full-length front splitter, vertical air inlets, a radiator grille in titanium black and specific side sills with inserts, a sporty rear end, along with a wider diffuser and vertical air inlets below the rear lights, each with three horizontal fins further complements its sports car character.

The TT Coupé and the TT Roadster are each 4.19 metres in length. Both body variants have short overhangs; their wheelbase measures 2.51 metres. The new TT leaves the production factory on 17-inch wheels and 18, 19, and 20-inch wheels can be added as an option. Three new colours are available to complete the range of paint finishes: cosmos blue, pulse orange, and turbo blue (available only for the S line).

A range of petrol engines in various performance levels are available on the new Audi TT, which are paired either with the six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. In both transmission variants, the close-ratio lower gears allow for powerful acceleration, while the wide ratio of each transmission’s highest gear keeps the engine speed down. All new TT engines come with a gasoline particulate filter.

The new Audi TT provides both dynamic and precise handling. The S line sport package and the Audi magnetic ride allows the TT’s body to be lowered by ten millimetres. Progressive steering, four-link rear suspension, and Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) are some of the other chassis highlights. In fast cornering, the wheel-selective torque control is activated and this enhances handling as required by means of precise brake interventions on the unloaded wheels on the inside of a curve.

Slender instrument panel within the cockpit resembles an aircraft wing; the round air vents with integrated controls allude to jet engines – a classic TT detail that further underscores the driver-oriented sports car character.

Integrated head restraints come as standard on the sport seats of the Audi TT. S sport seats (standard in the S line sport package) have optional pneumatically adjustable side bolsters. The luggage compartment of the 2+2 seater offers 305 litres of space underneath the stretched tailgate, whereas the Roadster provides 280 litres.

All indicators appear in digital form on the 12.3-inch display of the Audi virtual cockpit. Two modes are available: in the classic view, the speedometer and tachometer take center stage, while in infotainment mode, content such as the navigation map is enlarged. The new sport-display is available as an option and offers information on the engine output currently in use, as well as the torque and g-forces.

The MMI terminal in the middle console has just six legs. The top-of-the-line MMI navigation plus with MMI touch integrates a touchpad on the upper surface of the rotary/push-button control that recognises handwritten input and allows for zooming, for instance. The voice control system understands formulations from everyday speech.

Various online services can be brought on-board the Audi connect via fast LTE. The Audi smartphone interface connects smartphones with the car and can stream content seamlessly to the Audi virtual cockpit via the USB. The Bang & Olufsen Sound System provides high-end hi-fi system and its amplifier offers 680 watts of performance with a total of 14 channels. Twelve speakers fill the interior including two center speakers and two bass boxes.

The driver assistance systems embody the TT philosophy: they relieve the driver of work, so that he or she can fully concentrate on the drive. The line-up extends from the lane change assist Audi side assist, the lane departure warning system Audi active lane assist, traffic sign recognition all the way to the park assist with display of the surroundings and a rearview camera.

Like every open-top Audi, the new TT Roadster comes with a soft top in either gray or black. The soft top’s taut fit and excellent sound insulation makes it an “acoustic top”. With a weight of 39 kilograms, the light-weight top does not compromise the boot space. As a standard feature, the electrical drive opens and closes in about ten seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h.

The new Audi TT will arrive at German dealers and be made available in other European countries in the fourth quarter of 2018. Customers can already pre-order the model from late September. Prices of the TT Coupé start at around 35,000 euros. The TT Roadster is available from around 37,500 euros.

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