All-new 3rd Gen Audi TT debuts in Geneva
It may be a Volkswagen Golf under its skin, but like the modern-day Beetle, two model generations of the Audi TT since 1998 have developed into an instantly recognizable modern classic. An all-new third-generation model has just debuted in Geneva, and it is set to go on sale in European markets later this year, pending type approval by European road authorities.
Available as just the TT or the harder-edged TTS, the new TT unsurprisingly retains the familiar silhouette that has served the first two iterations so well despite all-new underpinnings beneath the sheet metal. Resemblance from the rear three-quarter with its predecessor is particularly uncanny.
The front end is dominated by horizontal lines and sharp meeting angles. Audi’s trademark singleframe grille assumes a naturally central role on the forward landscape, being given a wider appearance than in the previous model. Either side of the grille, Audi’s distinctive headlight designs once again take prominence, with Xenon illumination standard and LED available as optional upgrades.
Exterior measurements retain the previous model’s compact dimensions, with length and height effectively unchanged, although the axles are now pushed 37mm further apart, producing shorter overhangs and a wheelbase of 2,505mm. The new model is 10mm thinner, however, spanning 1,832mm across its bow.
Under the TT’s skin, Audi continues to make use of its renowned expertise in aluminium lightweight construction and successfully shed 50kg from the weight of the TT’s second-generation predecessor, which was in turn 90kg lighter than the first-generation original. The overall structure is composed of a combination of aluminium, high-strength, and ultra-high-strength alloys aimed to deliver high levels of body rigidity at minimal weight.
The new TT debuts with trio of turbocharged four-cylinder engines, all displacing two litres with outputs ranging from 184hp to 310hp. Start-stop is standard for all powertrains. A diesel-powered 2.0 TDI kicks things off with 184hp and 380Nm in FWD configuration and 6-speed manual transmission. In this guise, the TT 2.0 TDI completes the century sprint in 7.2 seconds en route to a 235kph top speed, consuming 4.2 l/100km on the combined cycle. Highly desirable figures even if they are provisional at this stage and subject to change.
Petrol power, meanwhile, is available in two dosages from the same highly-advanced 2.0 TFSI engine equipped with dual injection technology and Audi valvelift system (AVS). The lesser of the two states of tune makes do with 230hp and 370Nm, being paired with a 6-speed manual in FWD configuration as standard; the 6-speed S tronic dual clutch gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive are available as optional upgrades with this engine. Both configurations max out at 250kph, the S tronic quattro variant hits 100kph faster at 5.3 seconds compared 6.0 seconds managed by the FWD manual.
The more powerful version of the 2.0 TFSI drives the TTS with 310hp and 380Nm, blasting it to a century sprint time of 4.7 seconds and a capped top speed of 250kph. Manual transmission is standard, but buyers forking out for the optional S tronic get launch control thrown in.
The aforementioned usage of aluminium also extends to suspension components, helping to reduce unsprung weight. As before, the TT sports an all-independent suspension set-up featuring MacPherson struts up front and four links at the rear. Magnetic adaptive dampers are available optionally in the TT and standard in the TTS. Standard on all models is the electrically-assisted variable ratio steering, which becomes more direct the more you turn it. The system also allows for accommodation of active lane assist and park assist features.
KON
Pictures: Official Audi release.
