Audi TTCoupe News

["George & Deanna" <coolidge@tidalwave.net>]

Hey,
    Below is the writeup for the TT coupe that I just submitted to VW
Vortex. It is not up yet, but I figured these two internet lists might be
interested in the information for their own reasons. What a bad ass car this
looks like. Later.
George Achorn
VW Vortex
http://www.vwvortex.com

Audi TT Coupe
    The production version of the new Audi TT coupe has been shown to the
press. Other than a thinned B-pillar and quarterlight window benind each
door for better visibility, the car has stayed true to showcar form.
Officially, the coupe will make its debut at the Paris Auto Show in
September followed by the slightly more expensive TT Roadster due to be
introduced at the '99 Geneva Auto Show.
    Audi Designers had stated that what we saw in concept form was what we
would get when the TT was finally in showrooms. This they have now proven.
Inside, the TT is virtually the same as the concept coupe. Unlike two of its
main competitors, the Porsche Boxster and Mercedes Benz SLK, there has been
little dilution of the original pure and innovative design shown on the
concept car. The instrument surrounds, pedals, swivel mechanism for the
vents, bracing for the center console, and stereo cover are all brushed
aluminum, just like the showcar. On the outside, cool details like the
showcar's TT Badge, bold wheel arches, the shutline for the clamshell trunk
(possible only through the latest laser welding techniques), and flush head
and tail light designs that were such a big design cue (though at the time
no one suspected) for the current A6 sedan.
    Peter Schreyer (Head of Audi Design) said in a recent issue of Autocar
Magazine(UK), "We wanted to keep one surprise for the production car. We
originally had two sides on the concept car, one with the window and one
without. We liked both and when we knew the window would be used on the
production car, we decided to show the alternative."
    "The (window's) wedge shape makes it more of an Audi; it stretches the
body so that it's less dumpy, and it improves visibility. If we do a
(removable) hardop for the roadster, the roof will be very close to the
shape of the coupe concept car."
    "People often ask me what I like most about the new design," continued
Schreyer."It is difficult to answer on the TT because it is exactly the way
we wanted it and there is so much I like. It's probably the most honest of
all Audis - the very essence of what Audi design is all about, with all the
design elements used in a very pure way. We didn't have to care about
headroom in the back - this is a sports car package, after all - so we
didn't have to fight over a couple of millimeters of room."
    The only other changes to the car are in small details, so the character
of the TT Coupe design has hardly been changed, save the added rear windows,
which strikingly alter the appearance of the car, though in a good way. The
designers also worked extensively on the exterior of the car, to include
improved design details such as the enlarged lower nose holes for improved
cool air intake for the engine, larger rear view mirrors, and a less
aggressive grille with several extra louvers and the production "quattro"
badging like other Audi production cars. How long, we wonder, will it be
until an aftermarket accessory company designs a showcar-style grille
replacement for the TT variations?.
    The coupe will be available with two engine choices, both variations of
the VW Group's 1.8turbo with 5 valve technology. The first  and more
powerful puts out 225hp and 206lb ft of torque at 2200 to 5500 RPM. This
version will do 0-60mph in 6.4 seconds and features 2 intercoolers. A
6-speed and awd will be standard. This engine will be unique to the TT,
though a less powerful version will be offered in the upcoming S3 later this
year. The only visible differences from the lesser version will be dual
exhaust pipes at the rear of the car. Standard on this version are 17"
6-spoke alloys.
    The second and lesser model will be rated at 180hp with 173lb ft of
torque between 1950 and 4700RPM. This is up from the 150hp rating found in
the 1.8T versions of the A3 hatchback and A4 sedan. It will do 0-60mph in
7.1 seconds. This version will come standard with fwd, and will have quattro
as an option. This version will have a single exhaust outlet. This version
rides on 16" versions of the 6-spoke rims.
    This is the first all wheel drive variation of the A-4 chassis. It was
first rumoured that the car would feature Volkswagen's own Syncro system,
simply rebadged as quattro. Instead, it is a totally new awd system
developed by Haldex, a Skandinavian supplier. The new system uses an
innovative, electronically controlled multi-plate clutch. The clutch
automatically adjusts power between the front and rear axles, from zero to
100 percent.
    The TT wheelbase has been shortened 80mm from the standard A-4 chassis
based cars. The suspension features firmer spring/damper rates and improved
on-center steering. These all combine for a more taught chassis.
    All quattro models also feature 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes and
cruise control as standard. Standard on all cars is ABS and VW's EBD
(electronic brakeforce distribution) traction control system.
    Rear seating is about as generous as a Porsche 911, and as if to hint to
it's serious sporting nature, Audi did not even bother to include front
seats that slide forward when the front backrest is tilted forward. This
nature is further evident with the heavily bolstered, height-adjustable
sport seats, and Audi's awesome contoured three spoke Sport steering wheel.
    Other innovations include dual front airbags and new head and thorax
side impact airbags located in the front seatbacks. These bags explode
vertically from close to the floor to protect the upper body and head in the
case of a side impact. It also features temperature and fan controls that
remain vertical, electronically adjusted by turning them momentarily to the
left or right.
    The interior will come with choices of Alcantra, leather or clothe trims
in either black, grey or blue at no extra cost. In the rear, the coupe's
trunk is 220 liters (270 liters for fwd cars), though this can be enlarged
by folding down the split folding rear seats.
    On the outside, the car will initially be available in only in three
colors : silver, black or blue. Other colors will be available once the
roadster is launched next year.
    The new coupe is expected to go on sale in Germany by the autumn, with
the TT Roadster to be released 6 months later. Audi intends to build 40,000
TTs a year at their new Hungarian plant. Two thirds of them will be coupes
with the remaining third to be roadsters. They admit that this is a
conservative estimate of world demand, and should the need arise, 5000 more
could be added through improvement of production efficiencies. And, even
though they are coming to market up to 30 months behind their competitors
(Boxster, SLK and Z3) Audi is convinced that they can sell their new coupe
to capacity. With the intended competitive price and apparently awesome
styling and performance, this sounds very possible indeed.