Press Release
Audi say Britain has been their biggest market for their Audi TT for the last two years with 48,000 of them being sold here since its launch eight year ago. The outgoing model has remained virtually unchanged in styling throughout its life cycle, except for the grille change in 2004.
The new Audi TT, with UK customer deliveries starting in the middle of this month, is already in demand with the advance sales of 2,350 vehicles eating up the UK allocation until the end of March 2007. Audi expects to have 5,000 units for UK customers next year and once the line-up is complete, including the new Roadsters, in up to two years time, annual sales should reach 8,000 units.
For the new model the distinctive two-door Audi TT Coupe styling is retained and the body contours have been massaged to create a more muscular and imposing look for the all-new range.
The new Audi TT was revealed to the UKs motoring media in France this week where James Unwin, Audi’s UK TT Product Manager said, “53% of new Audi sales are expected to be accounted by the 2.0-litre TFSI models and 40% of customers buying both the 2.0-litre and 3.2-litre models will specify the S-Tronic, (formerly DSG) automated manual transmission.”
He added Audi would expect the new TT Roadster due next spring to achieve up to 3,000 sales annually in the UK. Traditionally 65% of customers buying TT models are male but a high proportion of actual drivers are female. The percentage is not expected to change much either way for the new generation models. He also added that that 30% of users were fleet or business customers but this would increase if or when a diesel engine was added to the line-up in the future.
Aficionados of the TT will be pleased to know that the second generation shows only a modest price rise, now starting at £24,625 for the 2.0-litre model and £29,285 for the 3.2 quattro.
The new TT cannot be mistaken for any other coupe on the market as it retains its classic oval styling although now the Coupe is less symmetrical with the bubble roof positioned closer to the rear of the car.
Whilst the new TT does cost more in fact it offers much more because it is marginally longer and wider. The extra 137mm of overall length benefits interior space with 80mm extra cabin space for better front and rear seating.
The added room is welcome up front and the extra rear seat space means younger parents should not be forced to move to a bigger car as their children grow, at least for a few extra years. The boot now holds 290 litre of luggage and with the split rear seats folded nearly flat there is 700 litre of load room. A ski hatch between the rear seats is available as an option.
Unlike many other new models which in their latest guises have got bigger and have more safety equipment and therefore heavier, the new TT is actually up to 80kg lighter thanks to the use of aluminium in its construction. If built of steel the TT would be 48% heavier. Audi says the new bodyshell is also 50% stiffer than the outgoing model.
Over two thirds of the TTs chassis is built from aluminium whilst sections of the rear are made from steel to provided balanced weight distribution compensating for the front positioned engine and gearbox. Only the doors and tailgate are manufactured from steel, all other panels are aluminium.
At launch customers have a limited choice of new TT Coupe models but more will follow including Roadster variants in spring of 2007. Audi say additional engines are planned and this is thought to include the option of a smaller capacity petrol unit and a diesel powerplant.
Initially the new TT is available with a 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged 200PS petrol engine as used in the Golf GTI. Drive to the front wheels is through a six-speed manual transmission as standard with a top speed of 149mph and 0-62mpg covered in 6.6 seconds. Average fuel consumption is officially 36.6mpg with a CO2 rating of 183 g/km giving it a 23% company car tax band rating and VED at £150 per annum. Price - £24,625.
The second Coupe model available is the £29,285 variant with a 3.2-litre V6 petrol engine and quattro all wheel drive, again through a six-speed gearbox as standard. Power output is 250PS with a top speed limited to 155mph and the 62mph speed is achieved in 5.9 seconds. Fuel consumption is 27.4mpg in manual form and 30mpg with S-Tronic. CO2 is 224g/km putting this model in VED Band F at £190 per annum. Company car tax rating is 31% to 35% depending on specification.
Both coupes can be specified with Audi’s automated manual six-speed transmission for an extra £1,400. Previously known as DSG, this transmission is now called S-Tronic. The system uses two clutches to make gearchanges just that little bit faster and shaves 0.2 seconds of both 0-62mph times.
Another of the many options is Magnetic Ride, the first time Audi has offered this system. Costing £1,150 Magnetic Ride uses electric currents to alter the behaviour and performance of the suspension dampers for sport or comfort driving. In addition the new TTs have as standard anti-lock braking, an electronic stability and control package and traction control. A pop-up rear spoiler, which operates from 75mph, is fitted for improved stability. This can be lowered by the touch of a button so as not to give the game away to the ‘boys in blue’.
Inside the new Audi TT, in addition to the obvious increase in space, the interior is similar in layout to the outgoing model but it looks much more modern, feels much better and is more sophisticated. It is now plush with a combination of leather, good quality plastics and loads of aluminium trim. The round air vents and dials all have metal rims to highlight their location. The added space makes for much easier correct positioning of the driver’s seat in relation to the pedals and adjustable steering wheel. Specification includes an upmarket sound system including a MP3 compatible CD player, electric front windows, climate control and leather upholstery. V6 models have a different leather upholstery option and heated front seats. Twin front and side airbags are fitted as standard and should help achieve the five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
From the flat bottomed steering wheel, to the polished metal trim, to the luxury carpet, the new TT is a class act and moves up a class in interior quality. As usual from Audi the quality, fit and finishes are impeccable.
