Pictures of details on Audi’s hottest ever TT have broken cover four days before the new car is due to be unveiled. This is the range-topping TTS, and it’ll be introduced to the world at the Detroit Motor Show next week before hitting the showrooms later this year.
Lower, sharper and quicker
The TTS gets a mildly overhauled version of the four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo TFSI engine from the S3, coupled with Audi’s legendary all-wheel Quattro drive. That means, in both coupe and roadster form, the TTS packs 272bhp and an impressive 258lb ft torque, maintained throughout the mid-range between 2500rpm and 5000rpm.Gearbox options will include a six-speed manual transmission or an optional dual-clutch S-Tronic ‘box capable of shifting in two-tenths of a second. The net result is a claimed 5.2sec dash to 62mph and an electronically limited 155mph top speed. To sharpen the handling, Audi has lowered the TTS’ ride height by 10mm compared to the standard TT. A new ESP setting has also been programmed, which allows the car’s driver more slip angle before the electronics cut in for what Audi calls ‘controlled drifting’. The brakes have been beefed up too. And you’ll know one of these souped-up TTs when you see one. As the new flagship of the range, it’s marked out by redesigned 18in alloys and new headlights - bi-xenons with LED daytime running lights, to be exact, like the ones on the R8 and A5.Inside the cabin it’s the high-end affair you might expect, with leather and Alacantara used to trim most surfaces. There’s also two grades of sat nav, a Bose stereo with iPod plug-in and adaptive lights all on the options list.
How much and when?
On the continent, prices will start from the equivalent of £33,500 for the TTS coupe and £35,600 for the roadster. Brits should expect to pay a slight premium over continental prices when the TTS goes on sale here in the autumn though. The TTS will remain top of the tree until its even-more-hardcore sibling, the hotly anticipated TTRS, arrives. Autocar broke the story on the TTRS last autumn, and we’ve already seen internal planning documents detailing the characteristics of its 340bhp five-cylinder engine. Expect that car inject an even bigger dose of adrenaline into the TT range later in the car’s lifecycle, to come engineered without compromise by Quattro GmbH, and to be priced from around £45,000.
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Re: It's the TT 'GTi': Audi's TTS
Wingnut checking in.
In my opinion, the price is ridiculous. Who in the right mind would pay that much for a reprofiled Golf?
Unrealistic cars for unrealistic people. The thing even looks old and its only been around for several months. I saw the MK1 version today on the M56 and it still looked good, much better than the current one.
Re: It's the TT 'GTi': Audi's TTS
It is far too much money for a car which can barely cope with the power it has got anyhow.
I think it is compulsory to have owned one to be accepted in this job - tries far too hard.
Re: It's the TT 'GTi': Audi's TTS
Hope they've put in some decent sized seats, went for a test drive in the standard car and got fed up sitting on the side bolsters, and I'm not overweight! Even the salesman admitted they are a little narrow. Doesn't matter how good the car is if the fundamental touch point - your bum is uncomfortable.