Audi TT

Even the thickest smokescreen can’t hide the fact that this TT is an oil-burner! Our spies couldn’t believe their luck when they got this shot of the dashboard – complete with a sticker saying “Attention: Diesel.”

This will help the test driver avoid filling up with unleaded, but also leaves us in no doubt about Audi’s plans to introduce a derv-powered TT. While we have anticipated the launch of the economical newcomer for some time, the firm has never confirmed the car’s existence – and still refuses to comment. Our latest information is that the TDI-badged model will be powered by Audi’s 168bhp 2.0-litre engine.

Already used across the VW Group, the unit is widely regarded as one
of the most frugal on the market. Offering a 50mpg TT would open up the desirable sports model to a wide range of new buyers – particularly those covering high mileages.

While this prototype is a Coupé, the diesel is expected to be offered in the Roadster, too. Audi already sells A4 Cabriolet oil-burners, giving the firm the engineering expertise to maximise open-air refinement.

When the TT TDI arrives in 2008, it will be available alongside the existing 2.0-litre and V6 petrol versions. It’s not yet known if the diesel example will feed power to the front wheels or to all four, but it will be one of the cheapest cars in the range.

In 2008, two further new models are anticipated. The first will be the TT-S. A leaked internal Audi document states that this car will arrive next spring and have a 2.0-litre TSI engine with 266bhp. A range-topping TT-RS is also expected. This was tipped to get the 4.0-litre V8 from the RS4, but it’s now expected to have a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo with 343bhp.