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2007 Audi TT
2006 Audi TT
TT LEADS TRIO OF NEW AUDIS
Audi is beefing up its performance car lineup and will put the muscular next-generation TT, Nuvolari grand tourer and Le Mans supercar into production over the next three years.
The introduction of the new coupés comes at a time when Audi chairman Martin Winterkorn is looking to raise the sporty profile of the brand. The first salvo, the second-generation TT, has been described as “encapsulating all the style and quality of the original, but with the dynamics and space to head its class”.
Codenamed the AU353, the new TT will be unveiled at the next year’s Frankfurt Motor Show and sources say that it will become available in right-hand drive markets by mid 2006.
Lovers of the Freeman Thomas-penned lines of today’s car will be relieved to know that Audi design boss Walter de’Silva will not change the car’s design much and there will be only mild changes to the detailing and extra interior room.
Distinguishing the new TT from the current model car will be a fresh front end dominated by Audi’s new shield grille as seen on the recently-unveiled A6 range. According to Autocar, the rear will probably be fitted with a retractable spoiler.
The second-generation model will use the Volkswagen Group’s PQ35 platform (used by the latest Golf V and Audi A3). As a result, the next TT will benefit from a series of chassis upgrades that should make it sharper to drive. Its torsion beam rear suspension will be replaced by a more contemporary multi-link arrangement. Other changes include a slightly longer wheelbase and wider tracks, an electro-mechanical steering set-up and uprated brakes.
The new model will offer a choice of front-wheel drive or quattro four-wheel drive. Power will come from new transversely mounted in-line four-cylinder and narrow-angle V6 engines, including the 112 kW naturally-aspirated and 149 kW turbocharged versions of Audi’s two-litre unit and a reworked version of the 190 kW 3,2-litre V6, featuring FSI direct injection technology.
Audi is also working on a TT RS, fitted with a twin-turbocharged version of the upgraded 3,2-litre V6. Developing up to 260 kW, the car is tipped to see the light of day in 2007. Sources say that the new TT model should reach 100 km/h from standstill in less than 5,5 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 250 km/h.
Alongside a standard six-speed manual gearbox, Audi will offer its new six-speed DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) as an option.
Meanwhile, the spectacular mid-engined Le Mans (Codename AU714), revealed in concept form at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, is scheduled to start production at Audi’s Neckarsulm factory in Germany in late 2006. Right-hand drive markets should see the introduction of the Le Mans by mid 2007.
The last of Audi’s new two-door models to arrive will be a production version of the Nuvolari concept car first shown at last year’s Geneva Motor Show. Targeted directly at the recently introduced BMW 6 Series and Mercedes CLK, Audi’s new four-seater coupé is planned for sale in early 2007. A soft-top convertible is also planned for the end of 2007.
TT LEADS TRIO OF NEW AUDIS
Audi is beefing up its performance car lineup and will put the muscular next-generation TT, Nuvolari grand tourer and Le Mans supercar into production over the next three years.
The introduction of the new coupés comes at a time when Audi chairman Martin Winterkorn is looking to raise the sporty profile of the brand. The first salvo, the second-generation TT, has been described as “encapsulating all the style and quality of the original, but with the dynamics and space to head its class”.
Codenamed the AU353, the new TT will be unveiled at the next year’s Frankfurt Motor Show and sources say that it will become available in right-hand drive markets by mid 2006.
Lovers of the Freeman Thomas-penned lines of today’s car will be relieved to know that Audi design boss Walter de’Silva will not change the car’s design much and there will be only mild changes to the detailing and extra interior room.
Distinguishing the new TT from the current model car will be a fresh front end dominated by Audi’s new shield grille as seen on the recently-unveiled A6 range. According to Autocar, the rear will probably be fitted with a retractable spoiler.
The second-generation model will use the Volkswagen Group’s PQ35 platform (used by the latest Golf V and Audi A3). As a result, the next TT will benefit from a series of chassis upgrades that should make it sharper to drive. Its torsion beam rear suspension will be replaced by a more contemporary multi-link arrangement. Other changes include a slightly longer wheelbase and wider tracks, an electro-mechanical steering set-up and uprated brakes.
The new model will offer a choice of front-wheel drive or quattro four-wheel drive. Power will come from new transversely mounted in-line four-cylinder and narrow-angle V6 engines, including the 112 kW naturally-aspirated and 149 kW turbocharged versions of Audi’s two-litre unit and a reworked version of the 190 kW 3,2-litre V6, featuring FSI direct injection technology.
Audi is also working on a TT RS, fitted with a twin-turbocharged version of the upgraded 3,2-litre V6. Developing up to 260 kW, the car is tipped to see the light of day in 2007. Sources say that the new TT model should reach 100 km/h from standstill in less than 5,5 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 250 km/h.
Alongside a standard six-speed manual gearbox, Audi will offer its new six-speed DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) as an option.
Meanwhile, the spectacular mid-engined Le Mans (Codename AU714), revealed in concept form at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, is scheduled to start production at Audi’s Neckarsulm factory in Germany in late 2006. Right-hand drive markets should see the introduction of the Le Mans by mid 2007.
The last of Audi’s new two-door models to arrive will be a production version of the Nuvolari concept car first shown at last year’s Geneva Motor Show. Targeted directly at the recently introduced BMW 6 Series and Mercedes CLK, Audi’s new four-seater coupé is planned for sale in early 2007. A soft-top convertible is also planned for the end of 2007.
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Comments
I'm still not a fan, but it seems far less incongruous on a sportscar than it does on the sedans and wagons.
It all sounds good to me. Hopefully the new platform will allow it to shed a few pounds while picking up increased rigidity. And I hope they keep the Papaya (though I doubt it)!
M
Theyak
3.6 litre V6, 280 horsepower, ??? lb ft of torque. It will make the TT easily the fastest car in its class, and the ASF will greatly help the slightly sluggish performance of today's TT. I'm not knocking Audi, though- we have two Audis. The TTS will probably have a reworked version of the 3.6 engine, and they may use that with twin-turbos or possibly an ultra-compact V8 in the TTRS.
Cars: 2005 Audi S4 Cabriolet, 2004 Lexus RX330, 2003 Honda Civic EX, 1998 Audi A4 1.8T.
-Paul
With the 3.2V6, I could imagine this would be a fun car to toss around. The SLK sure is!
-Paul
The 2006 Audi TT models do not meet California emission standards and cannot be sold in California or in those states that have adopted California emission standards, i.e., New York, Massachusetts, Vermont or Maine. TT models from model year 2005 and earlier may be available in these states through our Certified pre-owned program. Contact your dealer for more information.
Now, I have think that with CA being the single largest car market in the US and a serious TT haven in the greater urban areas, Audi is making a fairly large mistake here. Can't be that difficult of costly to add CA smog to any car these days...
But what the heck are they thinking. The attraction to the TT was because of it's curvature and smooth lines. Are we now conforming to look like a Crossfire or some other sub standard comparison?
The new 2007 TT is a gross bastardisation of what was a great looking driving machine. :confuse:
I currently lease an '04 A4 and love it, however I am looking for a new hot model for the future. Thanks!
By the way, when did you get the impression that the Accord was a sports car? The only sports car that Honda makes is the S2000, and it is indeed rwd. Don't blame Honda if you don't like the performance of your large, family-oriented coupé.
The additional weight and friction of all-wheel drive doesn't necessarily slow the car -- it depends on the traction available. On dry roads, obviously AWD could be outshined by a more efficient 2wd. On slippery or rough roads, however, AWD can offer a tremendous speed and stability advantage.
Personally (oversized grille aside) i feel these pictures show the most handsome vehicle Audi -- or BMW, Mercedes, or any american or asian manufacturer -- has offered in quite some time!
Reserve your styling criticism until you see the vehicle in person. Artist renderings and pre-production prototype pictures seldom do the vehicle justice.