The 2015 Audi TT Coupe celebrates its world premiere at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show along with the 310PS TTS Coupé. The new Audi sports car is being characterized as light, high-tech and quick with its new lightweight contruction, all-digital virtual cockpit and a sub-five-second sprint ability.
The new generation sports coupe features a further improved Audi Space Frame (ASF) architecture with the philosophy of ‘the right amount of the right material in the right place for optimal funcitons’. The exterior design features a visual reformulation of the the geometrical lines that set it apart when it first debuted. A flatter looking front dominated by horizontal lines, a broader singleframe grill and large air intakes strike a more determined look. Audi Matrix LED headlights are available as an option to replace the standard Xenon plus headlamps, both lighting options feature LED light guides to create a clearly definted contour.
The race-inspired aluminum fuel flap with socket screw surrounds opens to a direct access to the tank neck. Horizontal lines continue at the rear to give the TT real presence. As with the headlamps, LED strip lights also form a daytime running light countour. The standard models get large dual exhaust tailpipes, while the TTS gets quad exhaust pipes. A rear spoiler automatically extends from the trunk lid to give additional downforce at speeds over 120 km/h.
The new Audi TT Coupe measures at 4180mm long, 1832mm wide, and 1353mm tall; with a 2505mm wheelbase. Compared to its predecessor, it has a longer wheelbase and is slightly longer but narrower. The improvement of the ASF construction has resulted in a diet of 50 kg from the previous generation, resulting to a 1230 kg weight for the 2.0 TFSI.
“The Audi TT is the epitome of an authentic design icon and a top-performance driving machine,” explains Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Technical Development.
Inside, a minimalistic theme composed of pure, clean lines underscore the lightness and uncompromising focus of the car. The all-digital Audi virtual cockpit that combines the instrumentation and MMI interface in a central digital unit gives the driver all the necessary information in one single 12-inch screen powered by an Nvidia Tegra chip. The round air vents have adapted a turbine inspired design with integrated climate control switches on the central vents. 3D-designed toggle switches on the horizontal control panel just under the central vents activate the hazard warning lights, control the Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system and operate other assistance functions. To reflect its sporting character, the new multifunction steering wheel features a flat bottom with aluminum-colored accents.
As with previous generations, it is a 2+2 seater sports car. Engineers have managed to add an additional 13 liters of cargo space for a 305-liter capacity which is expandable with the rear backrests folded.
Under the hood is either a 2.0-liter TDI capable of 184 PS and 380 Nm of torque that is highly efficent to be classified as an Audi ‘ultra’ model; standard 2.0-liter TFSI pushing out 230 PS and 370 Nm of torque featuring direct injection and Audi valvelift system (AVS); and a high-performance 2.0 TFSI for the TTS capable of 310 PS and 380 Nm of torque. Both standard models are mated to a six-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission with decoupler mode for the ‘efficiency’ mode. The TTS gets 6-speed manual as standard but can be availed with an S tronic with launch control.
All models are fitted with quattro permanent all-wheel drive which features a revised torque distribution software and newly designed hydraulic pump that is 1.5 kg lighter from the previous model.
The third-generation Audi TT is expected to reach Philippine shores by middle to late 2015.
