There are lots of nice roadsters offered by German automakers, each with their features. The BMW Z4 has a long, sexy nose and powerful turbo engines, the Mercedes SLK is available with a thumping 5.5-liter V8 and then there's the Audi TT, which is the only one fitted with all-wheel drive.
These are the very first images of the 3rd generation TT Roadster, undergoing testing in Europe ahead of its upcoming debut. Like the TT Coupe, which was revealed in Geneva back in March, the drop-top will be based on the MQB platform, but will be lighter and smaller than an A3 hatch that it shares it with.
At a glance, the TT Roadster looks exactly the same as the coupe. But there are a few subtle differences. Two prototypes are actually featured in our photo gallery, the first being a new type of base model without LED headlights. This is the first time we've seen a next-gen TT with xenons and it doesn't look half bad.
We believe that under its bonnet, less impressive engines will also be fitted. The current base engine for the Mk3 TT is a 2-liter TDI making 185 hp. Audi should and probably will offer at least two more engines slotting under that – the 1.4 TFSI with 150 hp and the 2.0-liter TDI with the same amount of power, both of which are available in the A3.
Also consciously missing from under the TT's bonnet is Audi's bread and butter engine, the 1.8-liter turbo, which makes 180 hp in a number of compact cars from the VW family. The 1.8 TFSI was one of Audi's biggest tasks when the MQB platform was being developed and is used by SEAT's Leon as well.
None of these engines seem particularly impressive, but in a car that's around 50 kg (110 lbs) lighter than its predecessor, they will make for a fast and efficient summertime cruiser. A 310 hp TTS Roadster will also be launched, capable of 0 to 100 km/h in just 5 seconds and a limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
Given these prototypes both look like they could roll off the production line tomorrow, we expect a full reveal early next year at the Detroit Auto Show in January, followed by a market launch later that year.
At a glance, the TT Roadster looks exactly the same as the coupe. But there are a few subtle differences. Two prototypes are actually featured in our photo gallery, the first being a new type of base model without LED headlights. This is the first time we've seen a next-gen TT with xenons and it doesn't look half bad.
We believe that under its bonnet, less impressive engines will also be fitted. The current base engine for the Mk3 TT is a 2-liter TDI making 185 hp. Audi should and probably will offer at least two more engines slotting under that – the 1.4 TFSI with 150 hp and the 2.0-liter TDI with the same amount of power, both of which are available in the A3.
Also consciously missing from under the TT's bonnet is Audi's bread and butter engine, the 1.8-liter turbo, which makes 180 hp in a number of compact cars from the VW family. The 1.8 TFSI was one of Audi's biggest tasks when the MQB platform was being developed and is used by SEAT's Leon as well.
None of these engines seem particularly impressive, but in a car that's around 50 kg (110 lbs) lighter than its predecessor, they will make for a fast and efficient summertime cruiser. A 310 hp TTS Roadster will also be launched, capable of 0 to 100 km/h in just 5 seconds and a limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
Given these prototypes both look like they could roll off the production line tomorrow, we expect a full reveal early next year at the Detroit Auto Show in January, followed by a market launch later that year.