Audi is ‘glamming-up’ the Paris Motor Show next week with the debut of the new TT Roadster and TTS Roadster.
Headlining fresh new looks on the outside, it’s inside where Audi is capturing global headlines with the new third generation models debuting a ‘virtual’ cockpit with a digital instrument cluster.
There are two levels in the 12.3-inch display – the default view including the speedometer and rev-counter and an infotainment mode which includes the satellite navigation (you can ‘toggle’ between the two).
On the styling front, the third generation Audi TT Roadster, while 21mm sorter than its predecessor at 4,177mm in overall length, adds 37mm to the wheelbase which measures 2,505mm.
It is also narrower and lower.
At the front, the new look is accentuated by horizontal lines and a wide, flat version of the Audi Singleframe grille reminiscent of the R8 sports car.
A clever feature is the way the front wheel arches cut through the bonnet shutline and the narrow side windows and muscular waist bulges take the third generation TT back to the original design.
The rear sees more horizontal lines to accentuate width and LED tail-lights which mirror the looks of the headlights. A bootlid spoiler deploys automatically at speeds in excess of 120km/h.
Using a mixture of magnesium and steel, Audi has pared 3.0kgs from the weight of the fabric top – now just 39kgs. Operation of the roof takes just 10 seconds and when stowed it doesn’t reduce the 280-litre cargo capacity.
Underneath is a new version of the Audi Space Frame chassis using the Volkswagen Group MQB architecture.
In Europe, Audi will launch the new models with both turbo-diesel and turbocharged petrol engines. The 2.0 TDI delivers 135kW/280Nm while the 2.0TFSI petrol engine is good for 169kW/370Nm for the TT Roadster or 228kW/380Nm in the TTS version.
The Audi TTS Roadster also comes standard with Quattro all-wheel-drive (optional on the TT) and 18-inch alloy wheels (17-inch on the TT).
There’s also a greater choice of paint colours and inside you can choose from black, grey or brown hues.
Look for the new models in Audi’s Australian dealerships in the second half of next year.
