The new Audi TT Roadster and TTS Roadster have been unveiled ahead of their world premieres at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. This is just months after the coupé version of the new sports car made their debut at the Geneva Motor Show earlier in the year.
It looks pretty much exactly like how we expected it to look like – a soft-top convertible version of the TT Coupe. Built on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, it measures 4,177 mm long, 1,832 mm wide and 1,355 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,505 mm. This means that while the new roadster is shorter than the car it replaces, the wheelbase is 37 mm longer. It’s also narrower than its predecessor by 10 mm.
With the soft top closed, drag coefficient is 0.30 Cd, which Audi claims tops the compact sports car segment. The soft top itself weighs 39 kg, which is 3 kg lighter than that of the outgoing TT Roadster.
When it opens, it folds into a Z shape and forms a flat package, which doesn’t encroach into the 280 litre boot when it’s stored. Two motors operate the roof in 10 seconds, at speeds of up to 50 km/h. A thick fleece layer on the inner headlining improves comfort, and interior noise level has been reduced by up to 6 dB.
The Roadster also has a spoiler that extends electrically from the boot lid at speeds of 120 km/h and above, to provide additional downforce on the rear axle.
Compared to the coupé, the Roadster’s body has been modified – the aluminium A pillars conceal a second steel pillar inside, which in turn houses a steel tube. Internal steel ribbing ensures the aluminum sills have high-strength properties. V-shaped steel struts reinforce the zones underneath the engine compartment and the luggage compartment, and connect the axle carriers.
A solid wall consisting of two box profiles separates the interior from the luggage compartment, and replaces the bottom cross member found on the coupé. The upper area of this wall houses the steel roll-over bars. Mounting plates seal the openings in the rear wall, which features through-loading as standard.
The Audi TT Roadster comes with two 2.0 litre turbocharged engines – a petrol TFSI and a diesel TDI. The 2.0 litre TFSI engine, available with either front-wheel drive or Quattro all-wheel drive, makes 230 hp and 370 Nm, while the front-wheel drive only 2.0 TDI ultra producers 184 hp and 380 Nm.
The TTS Roadster has a more powerful 2.0 TFSI that produces 310 hp and 380 Nm, allowing the 100 km/h sprint to be done in 4.9 seconds. A six-speed manual is standard across the range, while only the petrol variants get an optional six-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission.
Other than the more powerful engine, the TTS ride height is dropped by 10 mm, thanks to the S line sports package and Audi magnetic ride. It also gets larger front air intakes, a pronounced kink in the side sills and typical S model details like silver side mirrors and quad tailpipes under an aggressive rear diffuser design.
Audi Malaysia sells the Audi TT Coupe here (new third-generation model yet to be launched), but not the Roadster, so don’t expect to see this on our shores anytime soon.
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This looks rather sharp, especially the grille and headlamps. I kinda like it.
Hmm…not understanding the front wheel drive option that’s being offered. What’s an Audi performance car without its quattro?
Awesome!
manly like bmw z4
not sexy like porsche roadster
Yup,manly guy like me drive an BMW Z5 0-100 2.8 sec quad turbo with brembo 8 pot brake.And I look sexy.
automatic gearbox in press photos tells much of the potential customers of these cars
TT is for those who want a r8 but can’t afford.
Toyota is for those who dreams of Lexus but cannot afford?
proton for ppl who cannot afford mitsubishi