Familiarly known as Audi’s design icon, the Audi TT’s third generation takes the stage with a facelifted appearance: sporty and refined exterior design, higher-powered engines and an extended scope of standard equipment.
The Audi TT stands for driving pleasure, design and close attention to detail: aluminium elements in the driver-oriented interior, progressive rim design, a short, ball-shaped gear lever knob, characteristic tank flap and round, dual-branch tailpipes are among the typical features of this compact sports car. The design with its incisive geometric forms has fans located all over the world.
Refined, enhanced, extended
Audi has accordingly refined the design of the new TT range, enhanced its performance and extended the range of standard equipment. Besides the driver-oriented Audi virtual cockpit with racing gauges, the basic version of the new model now features the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, Audi smartphone interface, parking aid plus, power-adjustable front seats and the multifunction steering wheel plus, with which the infotainment and voice control system can be controlled entirely using the steering wheel. Also standard are the illuminated USB ports as well as MMI navigation plus.
Sporty and expressive: the exterior design
The exterior design of the new TT range is now more masculine, more progressive and even sportier than before. The front features a three-dimensional Singleframe radiator grille and large side air inlets emphasize the vehicle’s width dimensions.
At the rear, horizontal lines again underscore the breadth of the new Audi TT. There is no cap underneath the tank flap with its classic TT design; the driver can insert the fuel pump nozzle directly into the opening, thereby showcasing a typical sports car feature. Headlights with LED technology is part of its standard equipment, however Matrix LED technology is optionally available. The dynamic turn signals are usual visual highlights on this model as well.
The new designed, optional S line exterior package underscores the athletic character of the Audi TT range even more. It includes a full-length front splitter, vertical air inlets, a radiator grille in titanium black and specific side sills with inserts as well as a sporty rear end. Added is a wider diffuser and vertical air inlets below the rear lights with three horizontal fins each.
The Audi TT and TTS Coupé is 4.19 metres in length with short overhangs and the wheelbase measures 2.51 metres. The facelifted TT range includes 19-inch wheels in five different designs. Three new body colours complete the range of paint finishes: cosmos blue, pulse orange and turbo blue (S line models only).
High-powered: the engines
Audi South Africa will offer two petrol engine derivatives as part of the local Audi TT range. The Audi TT Coupé 45 TFSI S tronic includes 169 kW of power and the Audi TTS Coupé quattro S tronic produces 228 kW of power. The 45 TFSI is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, while the TTS is mated to a six-speed S tronic transmission. The close-ratio lower gears enable powerful acceleration, while the wide ratio of each transmission’s highest gear keeps the engine speed down.
Effortlessly sporty: suspension and quattro drive
The new Audi TT range offers handling that is both dynamic and precise. If the customer chooses the S line sport package or Audi magnetic ride, the body is lowered by ten millimetres. Other chassis highlights include progressive steering, four-link rear suspension and Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC). The wheel-selective torque control is activated in fast cornering and improves handling as required by means of precise brake interventions on the unloaded wheels on the inside of a curve.
Driver-oriented: the cockpit and the assistance systems
The sports car character is also underscored by the driver-oriented interior with its clear lines. The slender instrument panel resembles an aircraft wing; the round air vents with integrated controls allude to jet engines – a classic TT detail.
Sport seats with integrated head restraints are standard on the Audi TT range. S sport seats with pneumatically adjustable side bolsters are optionally available. The luggage compartment of the 2+2 seater affords 305 litres of space underneath the stretched tailgate.
All indicators appear in digital form on the 12.3-inch display of the Audi virtual cockpit. The driver can choose between two modes: in the classic view, the speedometer and tachometer take centre stage. In “Infotainment” mode, content such as the navigation map is enlarged. The new sport display is available for the TTS and provides information on the engine output currently in use, as well as the torque and g-forces.
The MMI terminal on the centre console has just six keys. The top-of-the-line MMI navigation plus with MMI touch is standard equipment for both models and integrates a touchpad on the upper surface of the rotary/push-button control that recognizes handwritten input and allows zooming, for example. The voice control system understands formulations from everyday speech.
The Audi smartphone interface connects smartphones with the car and can stream content seamlessly to the Audi virtual cockpit via USB. The high-end, optionally extra, solution when it comes to hi-fi systems is the Bang & Olufsen Sound System. Its amplifier offers 680 watts of performance and a total of 14 channels. It fills the interior using twelve speakers, including two centre speakers and two bass boxes.
The driver assistance systems embody the TT philosophy: they relieve the driver of work, so that he or she can fully concentrate on the road. The line-up extends from the lane change assist, Audi side assist and park assist with a display of the surroundings and a rear view camera.
Pricing and availability
The Audi TT Coupé 45 TFSI S tronic is priced at R 670,00 and the Audi TTS Coupé quattro S tronic is priced at R 782,000. Both models come standard with the 5 year / 100 000km Audi Freeway plan and inclusive of all taxes.
The facelifted Audi TT range is currently available for sale at Audi Dealerships around South Africa.
The Audi TTS Coupé will also make a special appearance at the upcoming 2019 Festival of Motoring, taking place at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg (22 – 25 August).
Provided by Audi South Africa
