By Phil McNamara
First official pictures
13 July 2006 03:14
In a nutshell
Here are the first pictures of the all-new TT coupe - and the fashionista's favourite has become a serious sports car, claims Audi. The design update is edgier and more muscular, and there's a similar overhaul going on beneath the skin. The front end is now made of lightweight aluminium, to sharpen the handling. And there are other benefits: the new TT is lighter, faster yet more frugal than the original.
What it does and how it looks
The TT coupe instantly became a design icon, and - wisely - the MkII is faithful to the original, with trademark cues like the push me-pull you silhouette and pronounced cutline atop bulging front wheelarches. But Audi says the design has grown up, a very apt description. It's instantly recognisable as a TT, although the nose is longer and rump flatter, to tone down the MkI's symmetrical-looking profile. At the front, squinting headlamps give it a menacing look, and Audi's big mouth grille shouts for your attention. The aluminium body panels have far more sculpture, and the back end looks lower, squatter and more muscular. This time, the rear spoiler isn't fixed, instead rising at motorway speeds to boost stability.
First official pictures
13 July 2006 03:14
In a nutshell
Here are the first pictures of the all-new TT coupe - and the fashionista's favourite has become a serious sports car, claims Audi. The design update is edgier and more muscular, and there's a similar overhaul going on beneath the skin. The front end is now made of lightweight aluminium, to sharpen the handling. And there are other benefits: the new TT is lighter, faster yet more frugal than the original.
What it does and how it looks
The TT coupe instantly became a design icon, and - wisely - the MkII is faithful to the original, with trademark cues like the push me-pull you silhouette and pronounced cutline atop bulging front wheelarches. But Audi says the design has grown up, a very apt description. It's instantly recognisable as a TT, although the nose is longer and rump flatter, to tone down the MkI's symmetrical-looking profile. At the front, squinting headlamps give it a menacing look, and Audi's big mouth grille shouts for your attention. The aluminium body panels have far more sculpture, and the back end looks lower, squatter and more muscular. This time, the rear spoiler isn't fixed, instead rising at motorway speeds to boost stability.
Under the skin
Here's the big breakthrough. The new TT's structure is almost 70 percent aluminium. That's brilliant news - it's lighter yet stiffer, quicker but more frugal than today's car, despite being bigger. While the TT MkI was spun off the Golf chassis, this TT has a unique platform although powertrains, the steering rack and the suspension design is shared with the latest Golf. The TT is made of aluminium, up to the middle pillars, reducing weight by up to 80kg over its steel predecessor. The newcomer should drive rings around the today's TT. The suspension concept - struts up front, a multi-link rear axle - is borrowed from the Golf GTI, although Audi has had to redesign components to accommodate bigger diameter tyres on 19-inch rims.
The engine room
Two engines will be offered at launch: a 197bhp 2.0-litre turbo from the Golf GTI and a 250bhp 3.2-litre V6. The TT 2.0 is nearly a whole second quicker to 62mph from standstill than the outgoing 190bhp TT. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. The dual clutch automatic transmisson, which uses a second clutch to pre-engage the next cog for smooth and rapid shifts, is a £1400 option. Now called S tronic by Audi, this gearbox is 0.2sec faster than cogs swapped manually. The 3.2-litre engine is the sonorous six from the Golf R32, coupled to quattro four-wheel drive. While Audi's new S and RS models bias more torque to the rear wheels, the transverse-engined TT makes do with a Haldex clutch splitting power 50:50, although all the grunt can be sent to one axle if needed.
Here's the big breakthrough. The new TT's structure is almost 70 percent aluminium. That's brilliant news - it's lighter yet stiffer, quicker but more frugal than today's car, despite being bigger. While the TT MkI was spun off the Golf chassis, this TT has a unique platform although powertrains, the steering rack and the suspension design is shared with the latest Golf. The TT is made of aluminium, up to the middle pillars, reducing weight by up to 80kg over its steel predecessor. The newcomer should drive rings around the today's TT. The suspension concept - struts up front, a multi-link rear axle - is borrowed from the Golf GTI, although Audi has had to redesign components to accommodate bigger diameter tyres on 19-inch rims.
The engine room
Two engines will be offered at launch: a 197bhp 2.0-litre turbo from the Golf GTI and a 250bhp 3.2-litre V6. The TT 2.0 is nearly a whole second quicker to 62mph from standstill than the outgoing 190bhp TT. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. The dual clutch automatic transmisson, which uses a second clutch to pre-engage the next cog for smooth and rapid shifts, is a £1400 option. Now called S tronic by Audi, this gearbox is 0.2sec faster than cogs swapped manually. The 3.2-litre engine is the sonorous six from the Golf R32, coupled to quattro four-wheel drive. While Audi's new S and RS models bias more torque to the rear wheels, the transverse-engined TT makes do with a Haldex clutch splitting power 50:50, although all the grunt can be sent to one axle if needed.
How fast, thirsty and dirty?
The inside story
Like the exterior, the cabin is rich in TT DNA, from design cues like the round, aluminium brushed air vents to the snug, cockpit feel. But the seats are lower, and the gearshift higher, to accentuate that sports car feeling. There's more shoulder room, and an 80mm stretch in the wheelbase means the front seats can be pushed right back, although that's borderline child abuse for those in the rear perches. Don't expect any sober adults to squeeze in there: the coupe remains a strict 2+2 seater. The rear seats fold pretty flat, boosting luggage space from 290 to 700 litres.
The inside story
Like the exterior, the cabin is rich in TT DNA, from design cues like the round, aluminium brushed air vents to the snug, cockpit feel. But the seats are lower, and the gearshift higher, to accentuate that sports car feeling. There's more shoulder room, and an 80mm stretch in the wheelbase means the front seats can be pushed right back, although that's borderline child abuse for those in the rear perches. Don't expect any sober adults to squeeze in there: the coupe remains a strict 2+2 seater. The rear seats fold pretty flat, boosting luggage space from 290 to 700 litres.
How much and when?
The 2.0-litre TT will cost £24,625, with the V6 £29,285. UK sales begin in September, with the two-seat roadster following in spring 2007. A diesel, plus S and RS high performance versions, are all tipped to follow, as Audi seeks to keep the TT on its pedestal as Britain's number one sports car.
The 2.0-litre TT will cost £24,625, with the V6 £29,285. UK sales begin in September, with the two-seat roadster following in spring 2007. A diesel, plus S and RS high performance versions, are all tipped to follow, as Audi seeks to keep the TT on its pedestal as Britain's number one sports car.
