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New Audi TT exclusive

Exclusive images show dramatic look of next Audi TT coupe, which will be lighter for better efficiency and performance

Audi TT front three-quarters

Text: Jack Rix / Photos: Poblete

08th February 2012

The next Audi TT will be much lighter, more efficient and better to drive than ever. And we have exclusive images to prove that it will remain the sharpest-looking car in its class.

Engineers working on the third-generation TT want to close the handling gap to the Boxster – produced by Audi’s fellow VW Group brand, Porsche. But they aim to do so without affecting the Audi’s reputation for style, luxury and everyday usability.

This will be achieved in a number of ways. Firstly, Audi plans to cut the TT’s kerbweight, which has knock-on benefits for the dynamics, fuel consumption and performance. Under the skin will be the VW Group’s new MQB platform. This will form the basis of a host of new models, as we reveal on Page 10. It uses high-strength hot-formed steel and allows thinner-section members to be employed, giving a stiffer and lighter basic chassis.

Add in a bodyshell made predominantly from aluminium and the new model should be over 60kg lighter than the current car. That brings it down to around 1,200kg – just 35kg more than an A1 1.6 TDI.

Another benefit of the new MQB platform is that the front wheels are moved forward, while the engine stays in the same place. This creates a longer wheelbase, which should improve the ride, plus a shorter front overhang. And it means the engine will be mounted further back between the wheels. The result is better weight distribution and more predictable handling.

Although the overall teardrop silhouette will be retained, the styling will be sharper and more aggressive than the MkI and MkII TTs. Inspiration comes from the e-tron and e-tron Spyder concepts seen at 2010’s Detroit and Paris Motor Shows respectively, and the pronounced curve along the flanks marks a departure from the current car’s fuss-free styling.

Slimmer headlights and a hexagonal grille sharpen up the front end, while full-width LED tail-lamps emphasise the wide, muscular haunches. Although the car in our images is the 2+2 coupe, the TT will also be offered as a Roadster – and this will stick with a lightweight fabric roof.

Inside, Audi is expected to push the boundaries of quality yet again. There will be tactile leather and chunky aluminium trim, while the dashboard will be dominated by an eight-inch touchscreen. Although it’s a bit smaller than an iPad (which has a 9.7-inch display), owners will be able to swipe through the various menus in the same way.

Four-cylinder engines will again form the bulk of the line-up, with most TTs sold featuring 1.8 and 2.0-litre TFSI engines ranging from 180bhp to 220bhp. There will also be a cleaner and more powerful version of the existing 168bhp 2.0-litre TDI diesel, capable of over 60mpg.

It’s unclear whether Audi will offer the cylinder deactivation technology seen on the 138bhp A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI on the larger 1.8 and 2.0 engines, but an engineer told us it was a definite possibility.

At the top of the range, the TT-S will get an all-new 2.0-litre turbo, producing 275bhp and 380Nm of torque. But the TT-RS will stick with a reworked version of its five-cylinder 2.5-litre TFSI, boosted to around 375bhp.

The new TT is expected to go on sale in 2014, although we’ll get our first glimpse of the car some time in 2013.

This article was updated on 15 February 2012

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22 Comments

The front looks nice but I don't like the back.... it looks dated already!

By BenS1 on 8 February, 2012, 9:53am

The front is too boring aggressive. On the back, is good to see that they've forgotten the rounded back and now are using a Kamm-back (far better aerodynamics). But they will never get the light bar homologated, it is not allowed in Europe to have one single rear light.

By SaabRedJ on 8 February, 2012, 10:05am

rear light

It's not a single light though if you look at it, it's in multiple separate sections.

By beachland on 8 February, 2012, 11:34am

Just an A7 scaled down, suppose thats all we should expect from Audi and the worse design house possibly in the world.

By AndyG on 8 February, 2012, 12:48pm

In the dark you will see one light, although there are three sections.

By SaabRedJ on 8 February, 2012, 12:50pm

Looking good

I think it looks great, I like the more muscular shape, it's more masculine looking than the previous generations, although I did love the first TT, minus the add-on rear spoiler. I'm not sure how the rear lights will work, perhaps the brake light will be the top row and the tail lights will be the bottom, so there will only be the horizontal 'bar' when the car brakes.

By gofasterstripes on 8 February, 2012, 1:16pm

Fake grilliant

That's an awful lot of fake grill-over-black-plastic-nothing, even by Audi standard? Quite a lot of exhaust finishers close to body-plastics too.

Is this not another AE lash-up? That contour on the door doesn't seem quite right. Rear-wheels are too far out of their arches?

By mugwump02 on 8 February, 2012, 8:56pm

More Cartoon images

Why???
Its a new audi sports coupe - we know what it'll look like. Fancy LED lights, similar shape to previous TTs, same shape lights as the new A6, A5, A4, Q3 etc, with a slightly wider grill.
Of course this is an "exclusive" - AE are the only ones publishing a picture drawn by AE.
That said, Autocar are doing the same. Their "exclusive" image is different to the AE version - will either be right?

By ricbelcher2 on 8 February, 2012, 9:18pm

Muscular !

The overall syle is a touch comic-book-hero-muscular which is a strange development given that most of the Audi TTs that I see are driven by women.

Jaguar are going down a similar, brutal-ish road with the XK series development. What will be the appeal of these cars in 20 years time I wonder.

By TrevorChenery on 9 February, 2012, 7:00am

I've got to admit...

it's getting better... a little better all the time.

By voyager on 9 February, 2012, 7:17am

hmmm........

looks a bit like the lovechild of the current TT and an A5.......not sure about it really.

By garymv on 9 February, 2012, 8:40am

Retro

The retro look of the back seems to be coming back in although it kind of reminds me of an ex communists car,,,if you squint it looks a bit like a 1990 Dacia Logan from behind. Still another car for the hairdressers.

By dannyboy101 on 9 February, 2012, 9:40am

FAKE!!

These images are just Photoshop guess-work. These images are based on the forthcoming "Audi Quattro" retro car as a re-birth of the original Audi Quattro Rally Car and based on a shortened A5 Chassis. This model is due 2014-2015. Please ignore these false images and story typical of todays media.

By Cyeber on 9 February, 2012, 11:44am

Getting duller with time.

The mk1 TT was an innovative, fun, slightly retro car, a reall individual.

Since then its just got more ordinary, even if it is flashier.

This is just some car.

And that is the worst thing you can say about a car.

By darrenjs on 9 February, 2012, 12:24pm

not next TT.

Look at rear view.. rear & side flanks are totally out of place & proportion to whats sitting on top [windows, roof etc.], yes of course its a photoshop rendering. While i do like the present TT, & absolutely detest EVERYTHING else Audi are making at present, i bet you a million $ they will ruin the next generation TT. Who's open for bets on a TT Avant, TT allroad, TT pickup etc etc.???

By brendan on 9 February, 2012, 3:30pm

SaabRedJ

If your comment above is true, how does the new (production) Saab 95 get away with the same appearance of a single strip tail light?

By jwavdigital on 9 February, 2012, 10:13pm

New (2013 ?) AUDI TT

Very overdue.......the current one is either love or hate!

The new one is BEAUTIFUL.

It's R8 at the front and A5 at the back.

I hope I get to own one...............lottery.............

By DIESEL on 11 February, 2012, 11:38am

The current car looks amazing, this one looks even better

By zuulan on 12 February, 2012, 8:56pm

Quick photoshop

Looks OK but t's just a TT roof photoshopped on to the Quattro concept:

http://www.audi.com/etc/medialib/ngw/brand/design_studies0/audi_quattro_concept/multimedia.Par.0017.Image.jpg/704x396_pq100003.jpg

By uncle_paulie on 12 February, 2012, 10:06pm

Loss of identity.....

I've always liked the TT, other Audis are boring generic design.

The rear image of this car is all wrong, as people have said it looks like R8 at the fonrt and A5 at back. The original TT was instantly recognisable because it didn't look like anything else!!

Audi have definately lost their design flair, the A2 has gone and now the TT.

By Spoonyboy on 14 February, 2012, 10:41am

TT

SO COOL? Have to laugh every time I see one on the road they look so dumb... LOOl LOOL when I see a little granny behind the wheel

By liverpool on 7 March, 2012, 8:16pm

Will it still be DUFF to drive though?

yeah it looks wicked, and the Boxster looks old, BUT the Boxster is a great car to drive and the TT just isn't. They need to work on the drive, as well as the looks IMHO.

By skinheadtim on 20 March, 2012, 2:28pm

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Pictures

Audi TT front three-quarters
Audi TT rear three-quarters

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