Audi TT
| Audi TT | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Audi AG |
| Production | 1999–present |
| Assembly | Győr, Hungary |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Luxury sport car / Roadster |
| Body style | 2-door coupé 2-door roadster |
| Layout | Front engine, front-wheel drive / quattro four-wheel drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group A platform series |
The Audi TT is a sports car, produced by Audi since 1998 in Győr, Hungary, available as a 2+2 coupé or two-seater roadster, and now in its second generation.
Origins
The development of the Audi TT began in September 1994 at the Audi Design Center in California. The TT was first shown as a concept car at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show. The design is credited to J Mays and Freeman Thomas with Martin Smith contributing to the award winning interior design. The TT received production approval with almost all the distinct and innovative design features in the concept remaining intact. The uninterrupted lines and seamless curves of the concept were a bold departure from typical late 20th century design trends. A previously unused laser welding adaptation that enabled seamless design features on the 1st generation TT, also delayed its introduction.
Audi did not initially include an automatic transmission option for the TT. A DSG (S-Tronic) became available, the first for a production car, in 2003.
Name
Named for the successful racing tradition of DKW (Auto Union) and NSU, in the British Tourist Trophy. Most notable racers include Ewald Kluge in 1938 on a DKW as well as NSU riders Werner Haas and Rupert Hollaus taking class wins in the 1954 Isle of Man TT.
1st generation TT (8N)
| Audi TT (8N) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1999–2006 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform |
| Related | Audi A3 VW Golf Mk4 Škoda Octavia SEAT León Volkswagen New Beetle Volkswagen Jetta |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.8L Turbo I4, 3.2L VR6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 6-speed manual 6-speed automatic 6-speed DSG |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | Template:Auto mm Quattro: Template:Auto in |
| Length | Template:Auto mm |
| Width | Template:Auto mm |
| Height | Template:Auto mm |
The production model (internal designation Typ 8N) was launched as a coupé in September 1998, followed by a roadster in August 1999, based on the Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform used for the Volkswagen Golf Mk4, Skoda Octavia and others. The styling differed little from the concept, except for slightly reprofiled bumpers and the addition of a rear quarterlight windows behind the doors.
Mechanically, the TT uses a transversely mounted engine with front or quattro four-wheel drive. It was first available with a 1.8 L turbocharged inline four cylinder 20-valve engine, with either 180 PS (132 kW) or 225 PS (165 kW). The engines share the same basic design but the 225 PS version features a larger turbocharger, an additional intercooler on the driver's side, forged connecting rods, a dual exhaust, and a few other internals designed to accommodate the increase in turbo boost from roughly 10 psi peak to 15. Haldex enabled four wheel drive branded as quattro was optional on the 180 PS (132 kW) engine, and standard on the more powerful version.
Early TT models gained press coverage for a series of high-speed accidents in Europe. Reported crashes and related fatalities occurred at speeds in excess of 110 mph (180 km/h) during abrupt lane changes or sharp turns. Both the coupe and roadster models were recalled in late 1999/early 2000 to improve predictability of the car's handling at very high-speeds. Audi's Electronic Stability Programme, and rear spoiler were added, along with suspension modifications. All changes were subsequently incorporated into future versions of the car.
The original four cylinder engine range was complemented with a 250 PS (184 kW) 3.2 L VR6 in early 2003, which comes with the quattro four-wheel drive system. In October 2004 a new DSG (dual-clutch) gearbox, which improves acceleration through drastically reduced shift time, was offered along with a stiffer suspension.
Audi also developed a lightened and more powerful "quattro Sport" model, with 240 PS (177 kW) and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
There are two class action lawsuits affecting specific model years of the first generation TT.
On January 22, 2008 the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, entered an order preliminarily approving a nationwide settlement of a class action lawsuit brought by Green Welling LLP on behalf of all current and prior owners and lessees of 2000-2004, and 2005 model year Audi TTs. The lawsuit and settlement relate to allegedly defective instrument clusters, and Audi TT owners are entitled to submit claims for repairs, replacement and/or cash reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, and all TT owners covered by the suit will receive a 2-year extension of their existing 4-year warranty (limited to the instrument cluster).[1]
On June 22, 2007 Pearson, Simon, Soter, Warshaw & Penny, LLP filed a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen alleging that the timing belts for model year 1999-2003 Audi and Volkswagen vehicles equipped with a 1.8 liter turbo-charged engine fail prematurely. The vehicles included are the Audi TT, Audi A4 and Volkswagen Passat. The complaint alleges that the timing belts fail prior to the service interval, as stated in the owner's manual. The parties have reached a class-wide settlement and preliminary approval of the settlement was granted by the court on May 19, 2008. Claim forms, class notice and other documentation will be mailed on or about August 1, 2008. Details regarding the terms of the settlement will be in the notice sent to owners of the class vehicles.[2]
2nd generation TT (8J)
| Audi TT (8J) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2006-present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group 69 (PQFU) platform |
| Related | Audi A3 VW Golf Mk5 Škoda Octavia SEAT León Volkswagen Jetta |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.0L Turbo I4 3.2L VR6 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual 6-speed DSG |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | Template:Auto mm |
| Length | Template:Auto mm |
| Width | Template:Auto mm |
| Height | Template:Auto mm |
A TT concept (the Audi Shooting Brake) was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005. This concept featured angular styling and a "shooting brake" 2-door hatchback body style.[3]
Audi revealed the second-generation TT, internal designation Typ 8J, on April 6, 2006. It is constructed of aluminium in the front, and steel in the rear, to enhance its balance and is available in front- or four-wheel drive. The production car uses either the 3.2 L VR6 engine, with 250 PS (184 kW), or a 200 PS (147 kW) version of Audi's direct injection 2.0 L four. Better known as FSI, Fuel Stratified Injection, the technology was derived from the Le Mans race cars, and offers improved fuel efficiency as well as an increased power output. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, with the Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) as an option, and quattro four-wheel drive is standard with the VR6.
Audi's new active suspension, Audi Magnetic Ride, is available as an option, and is based on Delphi's MagneRide magneto rheological dampers (which means that the suspension will automatically adjust depending on the current road conditions). The new TT also features an improved rear spoiler that automatically extends at speeds greater than 120 km/h (75 mph), and retracts again at 80 km/h (50 mph). The spoiler can also be manually controlled by the driver via a switch on the dash.[4] It is again offered as a 2+2 coupé and as a roadster.
Performance models
![[icon]](/enwiki/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2008) |
In 2005 Audi released the limited edition (of 1000 examples) TT quattro Sport. It had increased power from its 1.8-litre turbocharged engine - giving 240 bhp (180 kW) and 236 lb (107 kg) ft of torque - and a reduction in weight of 49 kg to 1416 kg. This was achieved by deleting the spare wheel and by taking out the rear parcel shelf and rear seats. Fixed-back Recaro bucket seats graced the interior. Distinguishable from other TT coupes by its two-tone paint scheme (black painted roof, pillars and mirror housings in combination with either Avus Silver, Phantom Black, Mauritius Blue or Misano Red body colour) and unique 18-inch (460 mm), 15-spoke aluminium wheels, plus the same body kit as fitted to the TT 3.2 V6, it also had uprated suspension settings, V6-spec brakes fitted and the new wheels were wider at the rear for improved grip.
In the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, Audi released the TTS with a 2.0TFSI engine tuned to 272 PS (200 kW; 268 bhp).
It is also rumoured that a higher-end TT-RS is under development. Initial rumours suggested that this would use a turbocharged 2.5l 5-cylinder engine, but recently the balance of opinion seems to favour the 3.0l TFSI V6 engine, as found in the newest A6 and also in the new 2009 B8 S4, It is rumoured that this engine will develop close to 350 PS (257 kW; 345 bhp) in the all-wheel-drive TT-RS.[citation needed]
Diesel models
In 2008, Audi offered the second generation TT Coupé as a 2.0 TDI quattro, and TT Roadster 2.0 TDI quattro for the European market.[5] Audi said average fuel consumption on the engine is 5.3 liters/100 km or 44.4 mpg in the coupé variant.[6]
Awards
The TT was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2000. It was also on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 2000 and 2001.
The second generation TT has been honored with many awards including the inaugural Drive Car of the Year, Top Gear Coupé of the Year 2006, Fifth Gear Car of the Year 2006, Autobild 'Most Beautiful Car' and World Design Car of the Year 2007, as well as being a finalist for World Car of the Year.
References
- ^ Green Welling LLP: Audi TT Instrument Cluster Settlement
- ^ Pearson, Simon, Soter, Warshaw & Penny, LLP: Audi and Volkswagen Timing Belt Failures
- ^ "TT Caught Testing". AutoWeek. March 09 2006. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "2008 Audi TT". CarGurus. October 07 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Jurnecka, Rory (April 29 2008). "Audi releases more info, European pricing on TTS and TT TDI". Motor Trend. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Lienert, Anita (April 29 2008). "Audi TT TDIs Debut - but Not in U.S." Edmunds. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
- Official Audi TT microsite
- In Depth: The New Audi TT Coupé, from AudiWorld.com
- South African Audi TT microsite
- The Audi TT in Spain (SP)
- "Audi's TT replacement will be bigger"
- Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Audi TT
- Official dutch TT Club website
- Dutch TT forum site
- 2001 Model Audi TT website
