With its Golf-sourced internals, powerful engines and incredible driving experience, the Audi TT will be missed!
It is not often that concept cars are successfully brought into existence exactly how they were designed and meant to be. However, some cars that do so (successfully) can take the market by storm. Take the Lexus LFA concept car for instance — it took engineers almost a decade to perfect it. Still, when the idea was eventually brought to life, it resulted in one of the greatest cars to ever ‘drive’ the face of the earth.
But we are not here to talk about the LFA or how awesome it was. Indeed, we’ll instead discuss a car that literally stole the show when it was launched, a car that many now call an ‘icon.’
This is the story of the Audi TT.
First-Gen Audi TT (1998-2006) — Golf Platform: Cost Cutting or Genius Move?
Upon what was definitely a successful debut at the 1995 Frankfurt motor show, Audi’s designers simply had no other choice but to turn the TT into reality. After all, the design was undoubtedly praiseworthy — some even complimented it by saying had a certain “VW Beetle on steroids” vibe, and I see no problem with that. I’d even push it, saying that the first-gen Audi TT is the best-looking TT of all three generations.
Interestingly, the MK1 TT shared its base (and engine) with the VW Golf, Audi A3, VW Jetta, and all the other models of that era built on the VW group’s A4 platform. As a result, it came with a 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine sending about 180 horses to the front wheels only, unless it was equipped with the optional Haldex AWD drivetrain. And more importantly, like so many of its peers during those years, it could be ordered as a 5-speed manual. For some, it was the textbook example of a great weekend car; for others, it simply didn’t have the oomph to support the looks.
Facelifts
Acknowledging its rapidly-growing popularity and the increasing demand for an even sportier model, Audi was quick on its feet. In 2000, the German manufacturer released the TT 225 exclusively with Quattro AWD and a 6-speed manual. Sure, it still carried the same engine as the previous model but the horsepower figures were bumped up, now pushing a more serious 225 hp.
And keep in mind that the year was 2000, and that was pretty powerful for a 4-banger of that era.
Unfortunately, the same year, Audi had to recall some TTs for stability problems at higher speeds, which would send them flying and cause fatal accidents on the Autobahn. Luckily, Audi was able to quickly solve the issue by adding a spoiler and improving the electronic stability control system.
With time, the TT received a couple more upgrades, aimed at making it an even better sports car. For instance, Audi added a 6-speed Automatic Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) in 2003, allowing lightning-quick gear changes, making it even faster than the manual. Moreover, the engine was also revised, upgrading to a 3.2-liter VR6 engine producing a pretty decent 250 hp.
It went on to show how serious Audi was about the TT and how eager it was to appease its fanbase who never actually believe that manufacturing a car on the same platform as the VW Golf could give birth to a sports car icon (not that the Golf can’t be fun to drive, but you know…).
Second-Gen Audi TT (2006-2014) — Perfecting the Recipe
Upon realizing how well-received the first-gen Audi TT was, it was only a matter of time before the second-gen came in. In 2007, Audi released the second-generation TT, now offered with an all-new 2.0-liter TFSI inline-4 turbo producing 158 hp and powering only the front wheels, the popular 1.8-liter turbo, albeit now with an FSI (fuel stratified injection) system for better fuel economy and a 200 hp 2.0-liter inline-4 driving all four wheels. And of course, for the real enthusiasts, Audi again offered the 3.2-liter VR6 full of pure Quattro AWD fun — pair that with an independent rear suspension, and you’ve got a pocket rocket able to fly through any corner with ease.
Also, for those looking to drive the TT on a daily basis to go to work, there was also a 168 hp 2.0L TDI diesel variant that could soak up miles without breaking the bank. While several fans frowned upon this variant, owners were actually quite pleased with the relatively quick 0-60 mph sprint in 7.5 seconds and the outstanding 44.4 mpg fuel economy.
That being said, notwithstanding the engine option, the design philosophy was preserved, retaining the original TT’s bulbous and unique design, yet giving it a slightly sleeker look. Indeed, the MK2 TT looks like the love child of an Audi R8 and Audi RS3, with a definitive nudge at the R8’s design while sharing the engine platform of an RS3 — what more could you possibly ask for?
Facelifts
In 2008, Audi released the TTS, packing the same 2.0 TFSI engine as before but revised to churn out 268 hp and riding 0.4″ lower to the ground. Paired with the Quattro AWD system, the upgraded powertrain and suspension system pushed the small sports car from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 5.2 seconds.
However, the real star of the show, the TT RS, only arrived in 2009. And I call it the “star” for a good reason; the RS was equipped with a mighty 2.5-liter 5-cylinder turbo petrol engine sending an impressive 335 hp to all four wheels. As a result, it went from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, which was supercar territory in 2010.
Nonetheless, it seemed that 335 hp was still not enough for Audi engineers. So, Germans being Germans, Audi released another variant, the TT RS PLUS, pushing a rather crazy 355 hp from the same engine. Although it may sound weird to overpower such a car, it was part of a much bigger plan.
Indeed, this is where the MK2 TT peaked, gaining massive popularity in races and championships worldwide, including hill climbs, British touring championships, and even endurance races. Consequently, it’s safe to say that with this gen’s TT, Audi had perfected the recipe to convert an everyday commuter with a sporty inclination into a proper racecar.
Third-Gen Audi TT (2014-Present) — From TDI Diesel to 400-hp TT RS Monster
The second-gen TT reigned for about eight years, and at this point, it was about time Audi launched a new model. In 2014, the manufacturer finally announced the arrival of the third generation, sharing the same base as VW Group A cars such as the Golf, A3, Octavia, and Leon, albeit this time built on the advanced MQB platform.
Unsurprisingly, the MK3 TT received several important updates, with the interior receiving the most attention Still, the model’s most noticeable change was the styling, now much sharper and only sharing minimal resemblance with the original TT, which had a much simpler and straightforward design.
In fact, the original TT’s bubble-like styling is what got most people to shell out their hard-earned money in the first place since, after all, underneath, it’s nothing more than a VW Golf or ŠKODA from that era. Nonetheless, those new sharper edges certainly helped the TT retain a ‘futuristic’ look.
On the other hand, the third-gen has seen very few facelifts. Instead, Audi offered a wider range of trim levels and engines to choose from. That said, of all the different drivetrains available, you’d want the 2.5L inline-5 turbo engine (TT RS) packing a mighty 400 hp, AWD, and that glorious 5-cylinder growl — a perfect recipe for a fun ride (or disaster).
There’s no doubt you can have an absolute blast driving the MK3 TT with the pedal to the metal, flying down tricky country roads. However, the bad news is that this variant isn’t available with a manual transmission.
Now let’s address the elephant in the room — the price. The third-gen Audi TT RS costs a whopping $73,000. And that’s not even including several basic options like navigation or even cruise control, which even a base Toyota Yaris is equipped with. For less than $73,000, you can even get your hands on a brand-new Corvette C8. Now, it’s really up to you whether you prefer a German 5-cylinder engine or an American V8 engine, but I’d personally go with the latter.
Unsurprisingly, the hefty price tag may very well be the main reason for the TT’s downfall. Indeed, sales plummeted by almost 50%, a rate only expected to go downwards in the coming years.
Audi TT’s Legacy — Will it Become a Legend?
Sadly, Audi already announced that it was planning to discontinue the TT. It was indeed a shocking moment for TT fans worldwide, but the move was to be expected given the lower sales of two-door vehicles and the third-gen TT, in particular.
Shortly after, Audi’s CEO announced that the TT would be replaced by a four-door electric sports car, placed right alongside the e-Tron GT. Unfortunately, such an announcement won’t please petrolheads since sucking petrol out of a car often sucks the life out of that car too… not even mentioning that four doors instead of two will inevitably make the car heavier, significantly affecting maneuverability.
But yeah, that’s where the market is going, I guess…
Still, in my eyes, the (original) TT will always be a legend and nothing short of an icon. Its quirky design was able to melt our hearts and showed that manufacturers could use a passenger-car platform to create a pretty decent driver’s car with the right tools, including powerful engines and a Quattro AWD.
Heck, that’s the recipe that led me to grow up considering the TT as one of my dream cars!
Last Words
In all honesty, it’s not that surprising to see Audi discontinuing the TT. The last model didn’t play upon the “supercar performance at a sports car price” mantra, and enthusiasts obviously noticed. Today, you can have a 400 hp Nissan Z for almost half the price of a TT RS or buy a 495 hp V8-powered Corvette C8 Stingray for less.
Even the BMW M4 is similarly priced yet offers a vastly superior driving experience, better performance, and two extra seats. Put simply, the market moved forward, and Audi didn’t respond on time.
That being said, the TT will always have its faithful fanbase, particularly Quattro aficionados. And, with used models selling at very affordable prices, the sports car will still be popular among enthusiasts running on limited budgets.
Still, it would be interesting to see what Audi has in store for the future. The manufacturer recently started its shift toward electrification, with the e-tron GT showing what it’s future performance-oriented cars would look like. Does that mean the brand won’t launch small and lightweight sports cars anymore?
Only time will tell.
Gallery: Audi TT MK1 (1998-2006)
Gallery: Audi TT MK2 (2006-2014)
Gallery: Audi TT MK3 (2014-Present)
