What's the news?
With supposedly 'leaked' images doing the rounds online ahead of an official embargo, Audi's big Geneva reveal of the third-generation TT might not be as surprising as it could have been. However, plenty of juicy information from the carmaker means we're looking forward to this MQB-based coupé.
Exterior
Audi says it has gone back to the striking first-gen TT for the design ethos of this car, which presumably will annoy anyone with a Mk2 who's feeling a bit left out. However, we think the new car actually looks more like a sharpened version of its immediate predecessor, especially around the rear lights. You might notice that the four-ring Audi logo is now on the bonnet of the TT, not in the grille - this is a feature it shares with the R8.
Mind, we do like the new face - mean, angular lights and that large, trapezoidal grille do give it plenty of presence. At the back, there are either two or four exhausts, depending on whether you go for one of the 'regular' models or the hotter TTS. There's also a spoiler at the back, which rises at 75mph.
Size-wise, the TT hasn't become huge. It's almost the same length as its predecessor, measuring 4,180mm long, but the wheelbase is longer by 37mm at 2,505mm, which reduces the overhangs. It stands at the same 1,353mm height as the Mk2 and is 1,832mm wide.
Best of all, lightweight construction processes throughout have trimmed the weight of the TT - the 2.0 TFSI petrol TT is 1,230kg, which is 50kg lighter than the same Mk2 model.
Interior
If you went to Las Vegas' Consumer Electronics Show in January - or you assiduously followed the media coverage - you'll know we've already had a sneak peek at the TT's cabin. And it revolves around a central, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that combines the MMI screen with major dials, in what Audi calls the 'virtual cockpit'. This is part of an overall dashboard de-cluttering inside that is enacted to such an extent that even the switchgear for the climate control are in the air vents themselves.
On more pragmatic themes, the standard-fit sports seats are fitted lower than in the current car and they weigh 5kg less than the Mk2's chairs as well. There's a new multifunction steering wheel with a flattened rim, a split gear lever, a new MMI rotary push button for controlling the driver interfaces and also a 2+2 seating layout with a 305-litre boot.
Mechanicals
Some familiar Volkswagen Group code words - namely, MQB for the platform and EA888 for the petrol engines - make their appearance here. The TT and TTS models have three different four-cylinder turbo engines, one of which is a diesel.
Opt for just a TT and you can go for either the 184hp/380Nm 2.0 TDI, or the 2.0 TFSI in 230hp/370Nm trim. The TDI will be available with a manual gearbox and front-wheel drive at first, meaning 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 146mph. It'll return 67.3mpg combined and emits just 110g/km CO2.
The TFSI knocks off 62mph in 6.0 seconds dead (manual, front-wheel drive), dropping to 5.3 seconds if fitted with S tronic and quattro all-wheel drive, and it is governed to the usual 155mph maximum, all while achieving 41.5mpg and emissions of 159g/km (S tronic quattro).
As for the S, it comes with quattro as standard and has just 10Nm more than the basic 2.0-litre, but there's an 80hp increase to a peak of 310hp. No economy/emissions stats here - just the fact it can attain 62mph from rest in 4.7 seconds, before also hitting the limiter at 155mph.
It's a manual as standard, with S tronic automatic optional, while there are controllable flaps in the exhaust to enhance the sportiness. Audi Magnetic Ride will be an option on the TT, progressive steering is fitted as standard, Audi Drive Select can be specced (but is standard on the TTS), there will be 11 different alloys ranging from 17- to 19 inches in size and the ESC stability control system will have torque vectoring to help handling. Furthermore, the brakes go up to massive 338mm ventilated front discs and the TTS will ride 10mm lower than the TT.
Anything else?
There are 11 exterior colours for the TT, said to be much more distinctive than those available for the current car. The interior is accordingly jazzed up too, with new hues on offer.
Finally, on top of all the standard kit, options such as MMI Navigation, Audi's Phone Box connectivity package, a Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker sound system with a 14-channel amp and a wealth of camera-based driving safety systems, among other items, can be lobbed into the TT mix - at extra cost, of course.
Matt Robinson - 6 Mar 2014
