2016 Audi TT: A Close Encounter of the Third Kind

The original TT was a milestone in Audi’s history. When the TT concept car was unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1995, it showed that the brand from Ingolstadt was now a major player in terms of automobile design and the rest, as they say, is history. With the second-generation model, the German automaker improved dynamics and performance with a new chassis, as well as a focus on weight reduction, and specialty models like the TT-RS became seriously quick.

With the third-generation TT and sportier TTS coming to Canada in August of 2015 as 2016 models, Audi is taking a new tack by building the car on the Volkswagen Group’s ubiquitous MQB platform and by introducing a new style for the car’s interior relying, as always, on quality materials and craftsmanship, but also by adding a new 12.3 inch customizable digital display right in front of the driver to replace the traditional instrument cluster.

• Also: First Images of the 2015 Audi TT Roadster
• Also: 2016 Audi TT at Spain’s Ascari Circuit

Style-wise, the new TT borrows a few design elements for the R8, such as the four rings logo located on the leading edge of the hood, and the car has a crisper overall look with chiseled lines around the large single-frame grille. It’s also slightly shorter and narrower than the previous model, but the wheelbase has been extended by 37 millimetres and the overhangs are much shorter, giving the car a more athletic look. At the back, the center high-mounted brake light is a fine strip that runs the entire width of the car, bridging both LED taillights, and the twin exhaust pipes are now closer together. The TT-classic silver fuel filler door still appears on the right rear fender, but there is no fuel filler cap to unscrew anymore as the new TT now features a capless fuel filling system that evokes racing cars. Under the hood, the TT relies on the Volkswagen Group’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder EA888 engine, which also powers the GTI, except that the horsepower is bumped to 220 with torque rated at 273 foot-pounds. With the six-speed S Tronic double-clutch gearbox and  Quattro all-wheel-drive, the TT is capable of reaching 100 kilometres per hour in 5.3 seconds. The sportier TTS gets a 290 horsepower rated engine with 280 foot-pounds of torque, good for a 4.6 second run up to 100 kilometres per hour.

Driving the TT on the roads around Spain’s Costa del Sol, it quickly became apparent that the new car seemed to be more balanced and agile, which is probably due to the fact that it’s new body makes extensive use of aluminium, combined with steel, in order to achieve a weight reduction of fifty kilos compared to the outgoing model. The new TT pushes less in the corners and the all-wheel drive system can now send more torque to the rear wheels in spirited driving. When the Audi Drive Select is part of the equation (optional on both the TT and TTS for Canada), the driving experience can be further refined allowing the driver to select Dynamic, Auto or Comfort modes which will modify throttle response, shift patterns, steering response, magnetic suspension settings as well as the intervention threshold for the all-wheel-drive and stability control systems. It all adds up to a very competent package.

As expected, the TTS cranks things up a notch. With 290 horsepower on tap it is quick and also feels quick, thanks to an aural actuator that amplifies the sound of the engine into the cabin and to dual exhaust flaps that open at high revs. Around the Ascari Race Resort circuit the TTS was a blast to drive with the all-wheel-drive system apportioning more torque to the rear wheels when driven hard. The challenging layout of the Ascari track features a lot of elevation changes, but the TTS never felt off-balance and tucked into apexes remarkably quickly, the only downside being that the steering does not provide as much feedback as in a two-wheel drive sports car. The S Tronic double-clutch gearbox provides instant shifts in Dynamic mode and also blips the throttle when downshifting (just like a pro driver heel-and-toeing a standard shift car) to keep the car balanced in the braking zones and making for a smoother entry into corners. With a favorable power-to-weight ratio and all-wheel drive system, the TTS proved to be both agile and very competent on the track.

As much as the TT’s dynamics are impressive, the car’s interior is it’s real showpiece. Stepping inside, you can’t help but marvel at the simplicity and the racing-inspired look of the interior design, which features a 12.3-inch digital screen that replaces the instrument cluster and that can be customized as per the driver’s wishes. It can be set to display a conventional speedometer and tachometer with other information such as navigation appearing between the two virtual gauges. The driver can also reduce the size of the digital “gauges” in order to allow for a larger display of the navigation system’s map. On the TTS, the display can be toggled to show a large tachometer front and center. Accessing the various menus is done by the MMI (Multi Media Interface) rotary knob whose surface is touch sensitive allowing the driver to trace numbers and letters with his fingers or to pinch-zoom just like on an iPad. The dashboard extends towards the passenger with three circular vents incorporating all the heating and ventilation controls, as well as the heated-seat controls, making for a cleaner and de-cluttered cabin. The rear seats can only be used by people shorter than four feet nine inches and can be flipped down to increase the TT’s cargo volume from 305 to 712 litres.

As the TT and TTS Coupes will not be arriving in Canada until next summer, Audi has not set pricing yet. However, it is fait to say that the prices should be inline with those of the current models, which are $51,600 for the TT and $60,800 for the TTS. Audi will also unveil the new TT Roadster next week at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris and The Car Guide will be in attendance. Check this space next week for full details.