Anyone remember the four-doored Audi TT Sportback concept that was announced back in 2014? Apparently, it has been given the green light and could arrive as soon as 2020, according to a report by Auto Express.
The more practical TT Sportback was supposed to be introduced shortly after its concept was shown, but the unfolding of the Dieselgate saga meant that it had to take a backseat, among many other terminated projects.
Now that it’s back on track, the Sportback will directly succeed the iconic two-door TT (this year is the TT’s 20th anniversary). The move, it seems, is the result of shrinking demand for sports cars and small coupes. Design of the four-door TT has been approved as well.
An Audi board member told the publication: “If you set falling demand against rising costs, it’s obvious Audi cannot sustain its present course in the medium term. Instead, there has been intensive consideration of the coupe and the convertible in the compact segment.”
The new car’s overall proportions are expected to remain close to those of the original TT Sportback concept, which means the body will be around 290 mm longer than the outgoing coupe. It’ll be slightly wider and its wheelbase significantly extended (apparently up to 120 mm), and it’s expected to ride on an updated version of the MQB platform.
As for powertrain, word is the new TT will finally feature some form of electrification. At launch, it will be offered with a mild-hybrid petrol setup with an integrated 48-volt electrical architecture, which is designed to fill brief gaps of turbo lag and improve fuel consumption by 10%. The publication added that electrified diesel mills are in the pipeline as well.
The four rings’ estimates that, by 2025, 35% of its overall sales will comprise of electrified vehicles. With that, we can expect plug-in hybrid and full electric versions of the TT Sportback to be introduced along the way. Now, what do you think? Are you for or against the more “sensible” TT Sportback?
GALLERY: 2014 Audi TT Sportback Concept
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Mini A5 Sportback. Micro A7. A CLA-class contender.
Given the new Mercedes’ design language that nobody asked for, I think the TT Sportback would look slick. I’ll take it over the new CLA.
Oh, a Hyundai. No, wait…
Shut up. Take my money now Eurombil Audi !
Beauty!
Totally gonna be flop. Audi has probably forgotten the true purpose of why the TT is in a coupe form when in was being created back in 1994 by Freeman Thomas. Thomas whose a 911 enthusiast created the TT to shadow the Porsche 911s of the past-the 930s,964s,etc. As such this explains the current coupe form factor they are in today and they have improvised each model in succession appropriately so far. You dont fix what isnt broken. Now going to this 4 door form factor would have meant that the TT has no longer adhere to its original roots. One good example is the Mini company. Eventhough a series of different body form has being churned out by them, one could still buy the Cooper in its original two door coupe body. Another good example is when Subaru decided to change their Impreza STI into hatchback in version 10, that proven not to work very well. Well the Impreza STI has too long being perceived as a sporty 4 door rally inpired sedan with a tall spoiler. Shortly in version 11 a sedan four door being reintroduced and currently back into full time 4 door sedan body form. A question for Audi dont they already have the sporty looking S3 and RS3 to fill in these gaps, instead of creating this rendition which in my view totally unnecessary as it overlaps with the S3 and RS3 and in the same time cannibalise the true roots of the TT. So Audi, the truth of engineering a TT is not fixing what isnt broken. Danke.