Automotive

Audi lifts the lid on latest additions to TT range

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Audi has extended its new TT range with the TT and TTS Roadsters
The Audi TT Roadster is based off the same MQB platform as its coupe brother
Three engines will be available for the Roadster at launch
The TT's silhouette has remained recognisable across the car's three generations
Silver rollover hoops protect occupants if you manage to flip your new TT Roadster
Quattro all-wheel drive is optional on the TT Roadster
Inside, the Roadster's interior is almost identical to the coupe's
Three variants of a four-cylinder engine are available
The TTS Roadster comes standard with all-wheel drive
18-inch wheels are standard on the TTS Roadster
Audi's "singleframe" grille gives the car a strong presence on the road
A "virtual cockpit" puts infotainment, as well as speed and rev details, in front of the driver
The Roadster's roof can be operated at speeds up to 50 km/h (31 mph)
A number of structural changes keep the Roadster stiff, even without the roof
Audi has extended its new TT range with the TT and TTS Roadsters
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Audi has continued the rollout of its third generation TT range, with the reveal of a Roadster to sit alongside the TT and TTS coupe. The Roadster shares its high-tech interior and sharp styling with the TT Coupe, but has been reinforced in key structural areas to deal with the loss of strength associated with losing a car's roof.

For all the fun that open-top motoring allows, it also brings a set of challenges that you simply don't face with a hardtop, so Audi has added steel reinforcement to a number of key areas around the car. The TT Roadster's A-pillars house extra steel reinforcement pillars and its aluminum sills have been strengthened with steel-ribbing, while v-shaped struts have been fitted under the luggage and engine compartments.

18-inch wheels are standard on the TTS Roadster

In keeping with tradition, the new TT Roadster also features rollover hoops, which are mounted to a new wall between the cabin and luggage compartment.

The standard TT Roadster will be available with a choice of gasoline or diesel engines at launch. The former is a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder motor producing 169 kW (230 hp) and 370 Nm (273 lb.ft) of torque, which is enough to propel the car from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds. The TT Roadster's diesel is also a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four cylinder motor, making less power but more torque than the petrol, with 135 Nm (184 hp) and 380 Nm (280 lb.ft). For those who want more power, the range is topped by the TTS, with its 228 kW (310 hp) four cylinder motor.

Despite the extra power, Audi's new convertible is more efficient than its predecessor. The base petrol engine returns a combined economy figure of 6.8 L/100km (35 mpg), with CO2 emissions of 155 g/km, while the diesel is more efficient again, returning 4.5 L/100km (54.7 mpg) on the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 118 g/km. Thanks to its extra power, the TTS Roadster is less efficient than the entry level cars, emitting 174 g/km of CO2 while consuming 7.5 L/100km (32 mpg).

A "virtual cockpit" puts infotainment, as well as speed and rev details, in front of the driver

Aside from its structural reinforcements, the new TT Roadster mimics the MQB-based chassis of its coupe brother. Audi's optional Quattro all-wheel drive system can shuffle power between the front and rear wheels on the go and can be combined with optional magnetic ride control for an active, customizable handling setup.

The TT Roadster comes with 17 inch wheels wrapped in 225/50 tires as standard, with larger 18 inch units with 245/40 tires standard on the TTS and 20 inchers available as an option. The diameter of the vented front discs range from 312 to 338 mm (12.3-13.3 mm) in size depending on the engine.

Weighing in at 39 kg (86 lb), the new roof is lighter than the unit on the outgoing model and takes just 10 seconds to open or close at speeds up to 50 km/h (31 mph). Audi claims that the Roadster's "acoustic" roof is 6 dB quieter than the lid on the outgoing car and doesn't impede on the TT's 280 liters (9.9 cubic feet) of boot space when closed.

The TTS Roadster comes standard with all-wheel drive

If you've looked at the interior of a TT Coupe, the Roadster will be very familiar. Central to the car's cockpit is the "virtual cockpit," which packs the speedometer, tachometer and full infotainment setup into a 12.3-inch screen mounted in front of the driver. Audi's familiar MMI system makes an appearance in the instrument binnacle, while climate control is managed by dials integrated into the car's three air vents.

Pricing starts at €37,900 ($48,430 US) for a manual 2.0-liter petrol TT Roadster, with the car to be on display at next month's Paris Motor Show.

Source: Audi

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4 comments
TheSplund
IMO the TT get's uglier with every incarnation. It's even got those horrible square hoops from the early Z4s.
BigGoofyGuy
I think that is beautiful. I like how clean the design is.
Since Audi is owned by VW (IIRC), perhaps VW could come out with a version and call it KG (after the Karhmann Ghia)? It would be like bringing back an old name.
not_so_smarty_pants
I love the Karmann Ghia idea. My dad owned one in the '60s and I always thought it would be mine. Sadly, it was not to be, but I've always craved one. If they price it at about half of the Audi, I'd take one. Don't even really care what engine they put in it. Thirty-six horsepower was enough back then.
John Banister
I'm a big fan of all wheel drive and dual clutch transmissions, and I love the cockpit design, especially how they've shielded the digital display from the sun by using it for the instrument panel.
However, I've read that with this model, Audi has switched to aluminum wiring to save "weight." Even though, with all the aluminum in the chassis, it kind of makes sense, electrochemically, I've had too many bad experiences with aluminum wiring in the past. I won't buy a vehicle that depends on it. It's been pointed out to me that, a nice way to save weight would be to run at higher voltage and just use smaller wires. It's not like, with all this hybrid technology, we have to stay married to 12 volt lead acid battery technology anymore. Using a lithium battery instead of a lead one would also save weight.