2015 Audi TTS likely to lose kW for Australia

Australia's extreme climate means Audi's next TTS will cop a cold shower.

A power cut is almost certain for Australian versions of the Audi TTS. TT technical project manager Markus Niewart tells Carsguide at the international launch of the third-generation cars that our climate is to blame.

"The TTS is likely to lose power," he says of the distinctive 2+2-seat sports car. 'You are a hot country and we need to protect the engine." The move mirrors the decision to restrict outputs of the S3 small sedan for the local market. The high-performance car packs 221kW in Europe but here it is limited to 206kW.

A similar trim is likely to prune the TTS's 228kW to about 210kW. Niewart is unapologetic, noting such policies apply to any country with climate extremes.

On a positive note, he confirms a roadster version of the TT will be shown at Paris and the insane TTRS will launch in 2016, fitted with an overhauled version of the 265kW/465Nm five-cylinder turbo that powered the last generation.

Alongside the arrival of a new A4 sedan, the TTRS will cap a year in which Audi Australia expects to overtake BMW as the country's second biggest prestige car brand.

Sales of just on 12,700 so far this year put Audi only 2000 vehicles behind BMW and the four-ringed marque has substantially more momentum in terms of sales growth over the past two years.

Audi Australia spokeswoman Anna Burgdorf says the brand would like to be 'nipping at the heels" of its German rival within two years.

"We're not in the market to be No.3 (prestige brand) forever … a new volume product like the A4 will certainly help," she says.

Audi's baby SUV, the Q1, is also expected in 2016, to give the marque a much-needed player in the light SUV ranks.

"That's a growing segment and it's one we'd like to be involved in," Burgdorf says.In the short term, facelifted versions of the A6 mid-sized sedan and its A7 Sportback sibling will arrive next year, along with a totally revised version of the Q7, Audi's large SUV.