Audi TT News

Proving there's no vehicle that cannot be a candidate to morph into a jacked-up crossover, Audi will take the wraps off a concept based on the TT coupe at Beijing motor show later this monthThe German prestige brand has released three images that reveal a longer four-door high-riding body with styling cues from the latest TT and the Allroad shooting brake that previewed the TT at Detroit motor show in January. The interior sketch shows a TT-derived cabin, but with four seats, and the ability to flat-fold the rear ones down to increase luggage space.With Audi having already given this idea a litmus test at Detroit, and given the luxury market's increased focus on practical prestige models, this is bound to be more than just a design indulgence for a show stand.It could logically either sit at a TT Shooting Brake in the Audi family, or even slot into the Q SUV offerings as a Q4, facing off against BMW's X4 and perhaps even giving the style leader Range Rover Evoque a run for its catwalk crown. Audi hasn't yet released any further details about the crossover concept, so we'll have to wait for news about potential drivetrains and spec.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

The third-generation TT is lighter and more powerful, has more technology and picks up the best of the MQB platform developed by Volkswagen Group as the foundation for dozens of new models starting with the award-winning Golf and Audi A3.The new TT, unveiled at the Geneva motor show this week, will land in Australia in the first quarter of 2015. The original TT from 1998 was a landmark car for Audi, edgy and enjoyable, but things went soft when the car got bigger and more luxurious.Now Audi says the car is about 50kg lighter while being considerably stronger, slightly smaller but with a longer wheelbase, and fitted with technology that is more driver-friendly. The boot is bigger and the seats are set lower."More than ever before, in the third generation the TT is a sports car," says Audi Australia spokesman Shaun Cleary. "You can see that in everything from the styling to the layout of the interior. It's also about technology with things like the virtual cockpit, which eliminates a central display screen and puts everything in front of the driver. The engines have more power and there is a focus on driving dynamics." The 2.0-litre is up from 155kW to 169kW. The TT-S gets a 28kW boost (to 228kW) and an extra 30Nm (to 380Nm).A new version of the quattro AWD feeds more torque to the rear in keen driving. The TT-S's 0-100km/h sprint time is trimmed from 5.3 secs to 4.7. There is also a front-drive diesel variant, although Audi has yet to reveal its model plans for Australia. The new TT is part of a stronger performance push at Audi. The brand already has confirmed the S1 quattro will go into production and a TT-RS is certain to join the updated sports car line-up."There are more and more S and RS models. It wasn't long ago at all that there was only a single RS model at a time. Now there are eight,” says Cleary. Among the new technology in the TT is "Matrix LED" headlamps developed by Hella, aircon controls positioned in the air vents and a steering wheel airbag that takes up 40 per cent less space.This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover 

Audi has revealed the new TT and TTS sports coupes at a special preview event before the official Geneva motor show reveal tomorrow.We've already seen the modernised interior -- with its new digital instrument panel -- which starred for the German luxury brand at the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas back in January, and now the result of the more recently released design sketches can be seen in the metal.And while it conforms to the blueprint set by the first TT, the third generation looks fresher and sharper while still retaining the unmistakeable geometric cues of its predecessors. The new body is 18mm shorter and 10mm narrower, but has the axles pushed 37mm further apart -- making for shorter overhangs, and Audi is claiming there's more room boot capacity at 305 litres -- a rise of 13 litres on the outgoing model.The bonnets lift on three four-cylinder engines, kicking off with the TT's 169kW/370Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre, which Audi says will get to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds with the six-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the quattro all-wheel version, and 6.0 seconds with the six-speed manual delivering to the front-wheel drive variant. The TTS carries a higher tune of the same engine, delivering 228kW and 380Nm and claiming 4.7 seconds for the 0-100km/h run. The fuel hero is the 135kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel with just 4.2L/100km economy figure -- but a relaxed 7.2 second attitude to the 0-100km/h time.Weight has been saved with both the flexible MQB architecture (used on several cars across Audi's parent Volkswagen Group) and the use of aluminium in the McPherson suspension system on the TT , while the optional Audi magnetic adjustable damping system is standard on the TTS.The switchable ESC works in concert with a new torque vectoring system that sends more drive to the  relevant outside wheel to aid cornering.There's no confirmation yet of whether there will be any shift in prices when the TT range reaches Australia, and we'll have more information closer to its arrival early in 2015. 

We've got only a couple of weeks to wait until Audi pulls the silk of its third-generation TT coupe at the Geneva motor show on March 4, but the German luxury brand has released some drawings that give us a reasonable idea of what to expect.As the Carsguide spy photographers have already revealed with shots of the car in testing, the TT has retained the signature lines penned by Peter Schreyer (before he left Audi to head up Kia and Hyundai design) but also takes some cues from the Allroad Shooting Brake concept unveiled at Detroit motor show last month.A broad, flattened single-frame grille accentuates the low-slung horizontal styling of the face, set off with wide-set headlight clusters -- which will feature the options of LED lamps and Audi's new beam-splitting Matrix technology in some markets.The cabin treatment has already been revealed last month at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics show, with the highlight being the new iPad-sized 12.3-inch display screen behind the steering wheel in place of the main instrument cluster.The new TT rolls on parent Volkswagen Group's flexible MQB platform, which will eventually underpin a whole fleet of different models across VW, Audi and Skoda, and with extensive use of aluminium in the body should help the car trim some weight that will help both economy and handling.The engine line-up is expected to kick off with a 132kW 1.8-litre TFSI engine driving only the front wheels in the entry level model, while all-wheel drive models will carry turbocharged 2.0-litre TFSI engines delivering 162kW and then  221kW in TT S spec. We're also likely later in the year to see a TT RS for the third generation, tipped to be in line for a 300kW iteration of the 2.5-litre five-cylinder.Transmissions choices are said to be a standard six-speed manual or optional seven-speed dual-clutch. After its show debut, the new TT will go on sale in overseas markets towards the end of the year, and arrive here some time in 2015.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

Audi's third generation TT sports car has been locked in for a March unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show, but we're getting to see increasingly more of the new car in the lead-up to its global debut. We saw the sports coupe's stunning air-craft inspired interior at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, and now a prototype TT has been spotted by Carsguide's spy photographers wearing almost no camouflage during an evening drive.Predictably, the next generation TT's design is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Like the current TT, the new model's design incorporates a low, sleek roofline with a rear hatchback and flared wheel-arches. New design cues include more aggressive, angular headlights, a sharper, larger grille and LED taillights. The rear of the car also appears to have been influenced by the R8 supercar with a similarly short overhang and clean design.Beneath the metal, the new TT utilizes the Volkswagen Group's highly versatile 'MQB' platform – the same chassis architecture used by the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf. Thanks to increased use of aluminium in the vehicle structure, the new TT will be lighter than the outgoing model – an improvement that is likely to bring increased efficiency and performance.The entry level TT will likely carry a 132kW 1.8-litre TFSI engine powering with front wheels alone, while quattro all-wheel drive models powered by a 2.0-litre TFSI engine tuned to 162kW or 221kW in TT S trim are expected to complete the launch model line-up. It is believed a TT RS will also debut at some stage, potentially with a 300kW version of Audi's 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine.Gearbox options are tipped to mirror those of the current A3 range, meaning a standard six-speed manual or optional seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox will be available. After its Geneva unveiling, the new TT will go on sale in overseas markets towards the end of the year, and arrive here some time in 2015. 

Toyota’s FT-1 concept was arguably the star of the 2014 Detroit motor show -- prompting considerable comment about whether or not it points to a successor for the iconic Supra – with an outright perfo

he wraps will officially come off the Audi Allroad concept on the Detroit show floor tomorrow, but the German carmaker has revealed it ahead of the show, giving us a look at styling amd tech it says w

A problem that could short circuit and blow fuses in the electricals of their seven-speed dual clutch gearboxes (DSGs) has prompted a safety recall by Audi for the A1, A3 and TT using that transmission.The recall affects 1549 cars in Australia built between October 2012 and April 2013, and using the DSG transmission. The fault could cause the DSG to suffer from conductive deposits forming in the control unit, causing an electrical short circuit and blown gearbox fuse -- meaning the clutch will fully open and the car will roll to a stop.Audi says in most cases, the fuse will blow immediately the engine starts up, before the car gets going. However if the vehicle is already in motion when the short circuit occurs, it could suddenly lose power to the wheels, creating a possible safety hazard to the affected car and surrounding traffic. Drivers are still able to steer and use the brakes if that happens."The work should take around 1.5 hours, and customers are still able to drive their vehicles as usual, prior to the work being carried out," Audi Australia spokesman Shaun Cleary says. "Should any customers have any concerns, they are invited to call the Audi Customer Service telephone line 1800 50 AUDI (2834) between the hours of 8am and 7pm," he says.Audi is writing to owners of the affected cars, and a service bulletin covering rectification is being issued to all Australian Audi dealers. Concerned owners should contact their nearest dealer. 

 WHAT IS IT? Audi TTWHY THE FUSS? Third-generation speedsterWHEN'S IT HERE? Early 2015HOW MUCH? About $65,000.The third-generation of the hairdresser's favourite features more rake to the windscreen and pumped-up guards. The 2015 TT is built on Volkswagen Group's MQB platform, which promises the elevation in refinement already seen and felt in the latest Golf.

Audi's third-generation TT is waiting in the wings for a 2014 reveal, but spy pics show there may not be too many surprises. The camouflaged prototype's body largely echoes the current TT, although front styling has been updated with a new larger grille flanked by sharper headlight clusters and the rear scores new LED lights, revised bumper and dual-tip exhaust.The car will be underpinned by the new lightweight scalable MQB platform from parent Volkswagen Group, which will be used for most of the VW Group vehicles with transversely-mounted engines. There's no confirmation of which units will appear under the TT model's bonnets, but the front-wheel drive base model is likely to be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder developing at least 160kW.Quattro all-wheel drive and cabriolet versions will slot in higher up the scale, and the sporty 221kW/380Nm turbo 2.0-litre from the Audi S3 and the 265kW/465Nm 2.5-litre from the current TT RS are on the cards, with the latter tipped to be getting a power boost of 20kW.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott