What's the news?

Audi's latest TT-themed show car made its debut this week at the Beijing Motor Show. Titled the TT offroad concept, it looks as production-ready as any before, hinting at what might well be a TT-branded crossover of the future, possibly badged the Audi Q4.

Exterior

At 4.3 metres long and 1.8 metres wide, the TT offroad concept is dimensionally very close to the current Audi Q3, coming in just eight centimetres lower in overall height. Its front end is dominated by a larger trapezoidal grille flanked by two large, lower air intakes.

In keeping with the sportier look of the TT, the roofline slopes down sharply towards the rear in an attempt to retain a coupé-like image. Like Audi's allroad models, the bottoms of the front and rear bumpers, door sills and arches are painted in a contrasting grey helping to further emphasise a more rugged image. The wheelarches themselves are also noticeably rounded, a hat-tip to current and past TT designs.

Interior

Much of the same design touches seen on the current TT have transferred across to this new concept, which now features additional seating in the rear for two adults. Also featuring is the 12.3-inch TFT display that replaces the traditional instrument binnacle and, in addition to displaying the usual speedometer and tachometer, can show satellite navigation information as well as other media.

A central tunnel console runs from the front through to the rear and contains cup holders and storage bins. One other bit of technology helping to improve the interior quality is an updated ventilation system that includes am ionizer, which offers significantly higher air quality by reducing particulates and even allergens.

Mechanicals

Power in the TT offroad concept comes in two forms - a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine in the front and an 85kW electric motor mounted on the rear axle. In total the system generates 408hp and an impressive 650Nm of torque. The combined driving range is about 550 miles, but it is capable of driving solely on electric power for 30 miles too. The lithium-ion battery is mounted just ahead of the rear axle and gives the TT offroad concept a 54:46 weight distribution, front:rear.

Being a plug-in hybrid, it can also be charged via a wall socket or on-street charging system in addition to generating electricity during braking. But it also has one other trick up its sleeve - it can be charged wirelessly thanks to an inductive charging plate underneath the car. When a plate with a coil and inverter is mounted into a parking bay the charging process begins automatically when the car is parked over it. Charging is done at a similar rate to that of a regular charging cable and saves the driver having to unplug when they need to drive the car away. The process is also unaffected by weather conditions such as rain, snow or ice, nor does it pose any danger to people or animals, should your pet cat creep under to take shelter.

Anything else?

Unlike the Audi TT, which was shown in production-ready just weeks ago, this concept has an additional set of doors, which, even if the crossover styling isn't kept, could hint at a TT Sportback.

Dave Humphreys - 24 Apr 2014