Currently reading: Expanded Audi TT range to spawn new family car
Larger TT line-up planned to combat falling coupé sales and diminished demand for compact niche models

Audi's new TT line-up could be expanded to include the launch of a 'family car'.

According to Audi technical chief Ulrich Hackenberg, the company is “working on future derivatives of the TT” in addition to the established coupé and roadster versions. “We are looking to see if there is more we can do,” Hackenberg said. “Could the TT be extended as a family car?”

Audi has already shown two high-performance Audi TT-based concepts - the Audi TT Ultra and 414bhp TT Quattro Sport - in the past 12 months. It has also had a second stab at a TT shooting brake, unveiling a concept based on the recently revealed third-generation TT.

It’s thought that Audi’s decision has been triggered partly by a plan to move from today’s 49-model line-up to 60 models over the medium term. The TT has become a highly potent sub-brand thanks to its status as a design icon. But despite its high profile and a relatively affordable starting price of £25,000, the TT sold just 18,353 units last year (down from 21,880 in 2012) - a tiny fraction of the 1.6 million cars that Audi sold globally in the same period. 

Sales of coupés in general are suffering in today’s market. According to figures from automotive analyst JATO Dynamics, coupé sales fell by 31 per cent in Europe last year, making it the worst-performing segment. Premium coupé sales were also down by 21 per cent.

By contrast, sales of cars in compact premium sector rose by 24 per cent in Europe last year, second only to small SUVs and crossovers in the major market niches. 

Global sales of the Audi A3 jumped from 164,666 in 2012 to 221,097 last year, while sales of the Audi Q3 compact SUV jumped from 106,466 to 152,163 over the same period.

These shifts in the new car market make it clear that the biggest opportunities for more mainstream derivatives of the TT lie in the compact premium sectors. A compact saloon or fastback to compete with the Mercedes-Benz CLA would be the most logical immediate extension of the TT family. 

The biggest question for the Audi board is whether a compact TT saloon would work based on the new A3 saloon’s MQB platform, rather than on a stretched version of the coupé’s expensive steel and aluminium hybrid architecture. The former platform would be essential if Audi wants to build a direct CLA rival.

Audi is running to catch up with the Mercedes-Benz CLA, which has proved to be a smash hit, especially among the affluent under-40s new car buyers so sought after by premium car makers. Indeed, Scott Keogh, president of Audi US, said the market for entry-level luxury cars will “increase by 400 per cent” between now and 2020. 

Audi has commissioned a series of celebrity-endorsed advertisments in the US for the launch of the A3. Additionally, a 64-page guide to holding parties to attract ‘cool, young and urban’ customers was sent to Audi’s 280 US dealers. 

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The manufacturer wants to see the A3 being marketed to new car buyers aged from their mid 20s to early 40s. If it can get a firm foothold in this booming segment, a TT-inspired follow-up would be a huge help to Audi in the US.

Take a closer look at the new Audi TT.

The TT family so far

1995 TT concept

The original TT concept was commissioned by Ulrich Hackenberg and realised in four weeks by J Mays and Freeman Thomas.

2005 TT Shooting Brake

The second-generation TT — based on a sophisticated hybrid steel and aluminium platform — was previewed by the 2005 Shooting Brake.

2013 TT Ultra Quattro

The Ultra Quattro concept was 283kg lighter than the stock Mk2 TT thanks to the extensive use of carbonfibre in the structure.

2014 TT Shooting Brake

Audi repeated its Shooting Brake concept trick early this year. This incarnation heralded the arrival of the third-generation TT.

2014 TT Quattro Sport

Mk3 TT-based concept featuring a 414bhp 2.0-litre TFSI engine, giving a power-to-weight ratio of 308bhp per tonne. 

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AHA1 31 March 2014

Audi going in the wrong direction

I suspect the simple reason TT sales have been so poor is because of the boring, tastefully evolved design. Audi needed to take a much bolder step. The styling leap between the Z3 and the Z4 is the class benchmark that they probably needed to exceed and they've certainly failed to match that. Problem is, these new styling studies look very much like more of the same - evolutionary designs that are taking Audi into a very dull corner. Buyers won't follow them there.
Peter Ward 31 March 2014

Isn't this just the Skoda Vision D with an Audi badge?

It looks awful similar to me! Not a bad thing I guess, but let's not pretend it's an earth-shaking new idea.
Ali_ 31 March 2014

Eh?

Eh? Sorry, but Ingolstadt have completely lost the plot here. How many ugly sloping backed 4 doors does Germany intend to make? There are only so many rich blind people with no taste to buy them....