Photo: Stefan Baldauf / Robert Kah
Audi first took it upon itself to design a small coupe 16 years ago. By taking the body of an A3, back then only available as a three-door, and chopping it up into smaller pieces, they created one of the most iconic shapes in the industry.
Hard as it might be to believe, the third generation of the TT is here. While its predecessor looked radical for its time, as you can see this new model is not a radical departure in design. You could almost call it a heavy facelift of the outgoing model from 2007.
However, once you really get into the details, changes start to appear more radical. First of all, the new TT is built from the ground up on a whole new platform called the MQB. Volkswagen group fans will know it from the new Golf and A3, as well as a number of other projects. This new platform makes the car lighter, like for like, compared to the old models.
So what about the dimensions? Well, you're never going to buy the TT as a family car, which is why dimensions have remained about the same. At 4.18 meters (13.71 ft), the two-door is almost exactly the same length as its predecessor. But a wheelbase that's longer by 37mm will improve the handling, interior space and ride, all problems the old model suffered from. The TT is 1,832 mm (6.01 ft) wide, and has the same height as the previous model at 1,353 mm (4.44 ft). Cargo capacity has improved, but not by a lot: 13 liters. The cabin is still going to feel crammed in the back of the 2+2, but the layout for the driver compensates with radical new minimalist design. There's no display in the middle and the buttons for the air conditioning are in the dash.
We're never going to convince you the TT looks totally different, so we'll settle for helping you tell old from new. AT the front, the badge has moved from the grille to the hood. Only seven stripes form the mesh of that new grille which is flanked by optional Matrix LED headlights.
The MQB platform also means Audi can use all those cool engines we know from the Golf and A3. For now, you can only have three of them. The base model TT comes with the same 2.0-liter TDI as the Golf GTD. It produces a very respectable 184 hp and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque, being available with a manual or automatic. This version of the TT accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in a brisk 7.2 seconds and has a top speed of 235 km/h (146.02 mph). These numbers will impress when you also consider the fuel consumption: just 4.2 liters per 100 km (56.00 US mpg), which translates into CO2 emissions of 110 g/km.
Next up, the TT is offered with two version of the 2.0 TFSI engine. The first one makes 230 hp, like in a Golf GTI, and the other has been fitted to the TTS. Audi has exceeded our expectations with this unit, which makes 310 hp for a 40 hp increase over its predecessor. Mind you, the same unit makes 10 hp less in equally new S2 range of models.
Talking pure performance numbers, the TT 2.0 TFSI with 230 hp can get to 100 km/h in 6 seconds when equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. However, when fully kitted with all-wheel drive and a six-speed S tronic box it reaches that speed in 5.3 seconds.
Peak performance is achieved by the new TTS, also revealed in geneva. This surprise debut comes with lowered suspension and large alloy wheels, matched to a four-pipe exhaust system. This most extreme version of the coupe is capable of reaching 100 km/h in an amazing 4.7 seconds, faster than a Porsche Cayman S, on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km./h. A manual transmission is standard. The S tronic option includes launch control, which regulates maximum acceleration from a standstill.
However, once you really get into the details, changes start to appear more radical. First of all, the new TT is built from the ground up on a whole new platform called the MQB. Volkswagen group fans will know it from the new Golf and A3, as well as a number of other projects. This new platform makes the car lighter, like for like, compared to the old models.
So what about the dimensions? Well, you're never going to buy the TT as a family car, which is why dimensions have remained about the same. At 4.18 meters (13.71 ft), the two-door is almost exactly the same length as its predecessor. But a wheelbase that's longer by 37mm will improve the handling, interior space and ride, all problems the old model suffered from. The TT is 1,832 mm (6.01 ft) wide, and has the same height as the previous model at 1,353 mm (4.44 ft). Cargo capacity has improved, but not by a lot: 13 liters. The cabin is still going to feel crammed in the back of the 2+2, but the layout for the driver compensates with radical new minimalist design. There's no display in the middle and the buttons for the air conditioning are in the dash.
We're never going to convince you the TT looks totally different, so we'll settle for helping you tell old from new. AT the front, the badge has moved from the grille to the hood. Only seven stripes form the mesh of that new grille which is flanked by optional Matrix LED headlights.
Next up, the TT is offered with two version of the 2.0 TFSI engine. The first one makes 230 hp, like in a Golf GTI, and the other has been fitted to the TTS. Audi has exceeded our expectations with this unit, which makes 310 hp for a 40 hp increase over its predecessor. Mind you, the same unit makes 10 hp less in equally new S2 range of models.
Talking pure performance numbers, the TT 2.0 TFSI with 230 hp can get to 100 km/h in 6 seconds when equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. However, when fully kitted with all-wheel drive and a six-speed S tronic box it reaches that speed in 5.3 seconds.
Peak performance is achieved by the new TTS, also revealed in geneva. This surprise debut comes with lowered suspension and large alloy wheels, matched to a four-pipe exhaust system. This most extreme version of the coupe is capable of reaching 100 km/h in an amazing 4.7 seconds, faster than a Porsche Cayman S, on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km./h. A manual transmission is standard. The S tronic option includes launch control, which regulates maximum acceleration from a standstill.
Google News