Photo: original image by autoevolution
The word "premiere" is actually French and literally means "first", nowadays used to refer to the debut of a finished product. It's fitting perhaps that the Audi TT Roadster is making its premiere at the Paris Motor Show, since this is a car of many firsts.
The third generation TT is the first to use the new MQB platform, the first to offer Audi's new Virtual Cockpit and the first where a 2-liter engine has been pushed to 310 horsepower. After revealing the coupe model at Switzerland’s Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, Audi is now using Paris as a launching board for the convertible.
Except for the lack of rear seats and the metal roof, the roadster is identical in look. There's only about 15 to 20 kilograms of extra weight, so the affects on performance are minimal. Audi claims the third-generation TT Roadster combines the dynamism of a sportscar with the driving experience of an open-top two-seater.
The design of the new TT Roadster shares some elements with its predecessor, such as the bulges over the wheel arches and the gas cap, but designers were allowed to work with a clean slate. From the front especially, the new LED headlights and sharply cut lines leave a lasting impression.
Inside, things are even better. Not one, but tow crazy conceptual ideas were allowed to make it into mass production, the Virtual Cockpit and integrated climate control functions for the air vents. The space age look shares a passing similarity with the Lamborghini Huracan supercar while still being restrained like Audis are.
As a package, this is slightly smaller than the older model. At 4,177mm long, this new model is 21mm shorter, but the wheelbase is actually longer by 37mm to improve the ride quality.
In order to conserve the rigidity of their car, engineers have added a second steel pillar in the aluminum one for the A-pillars, while the side sills have internal steel ribbing to compensate for the lack of a roof. But other than that, most of the car is made from aluminum.
A TT Roadster with a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol engine tips the scales at 1,320 kg unladen. That might not be on the same level as the new Mazda Miata, but you've got to remember the TFSI engine packs 230 horsepower and is very technologically advanced.
A single diesel choice comes in the form of a 2.0 TDI ultra, the most efficient in the range. It produces 184 PS and a very chunky 380 Nm of torque, but is only available with a manual and front-wheel drive.
The flagship model is of course the new TTS Roadster. Not to be confused with the 2015 TTS Roadster that's still on sale in America right now, this new model packs a very impressive 310 PS, a huge improvement over the 272 PS boasted by the Mk2.
Except for the lack of rear seats and the metal roof, the roadster is identical in look. There's only about 15 to 20 kilograms of extra weight, so the affects on performance are minimal. Audi claims the third-generation TT Roadster combines the dynamism of a sportscar with the driving experience of an open-top two-seater.
The design of the new TT Roadster shares some elements with its predecessor, such as the bulges over the wheel arches and the gas cap, but designers were allowed to work with a clean slate. From the front especially, the new LED headlights and sharply cut lines leave a lasting impression.
Inside, things are even better. Not one, but tow crazy conceptual ideas were allowed to make it into mass production, the Virtual Cockpit and integrated climate control functions for the air vents. The space age look shares a passing similarity with the Lamborghini Huracan supercar while still being restrained like Audis are.
The same platform as a Passat
Volkswagen Group's MQB revolution, which started with the Golf in 2012, has changed two drastically different models, both of which are in Paris. The TT Roadster and Passat have the same underpinnings and will eventually share engines as well.As a package, this is slightly smaller than the older model. At 4,177mm long, this new model is 21mm shorter, but the wheelbase is actually longer by 37mm to improve the ride quality.
In order to conserve the rigidity of their car, engineers have added a second steel pillar in the aluminum one for the A-pillars, while the side sills have internal steel ribbing to compensate for the lack of a roof. But other than that, most of the car is made from aluminum.
A TT Roadster with a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol engine tips the scales at 1,320 kg unladen. That might not be on the same level as the new Mazda Miata, but you've got to remember the TFSI engine packs 230 horsepower and is very technologically advanced.
What's under the hood?
At launch, only three engines will be available on the TT Roadster. There's the base 2.0 TFSI with 230 PS, which is just like the engine you get in the new Golf GTI, except you can order it with all-wheel drive.A single diesel choice comes in the form of a 2.0 TDI ultra, the most efficient in the range. It produces 184 PS and a very chunky 380 Nm of torque, but is only available with a manual and front-wheel drive.
The flagship model is of course the new TTS Roadster. Not to be confused with the 2015 TTS Roadster that's still on sale in America right now, this new model packs a very impressive 310 PS, a huge improvement over the 272 PS boasted by the Mk2.
Google News