Audi TT
The Audi TT is a sports car manufactured and marketed by Audi from 1998 to 2023 across three generations. Its bodystyles included a coupé with a 2+2 seating arrangement and a two-seater roadster. For each of its three generations, the TT has been based on consecutive generations of Volkswagen's "Group A" platforms, starting with its "PQ34" fourth generation. The TT shares powertrain and suspension layouts with its platform mates, including the Audi A3, like a transversely mounted front-engine, powering front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and fully independent suspension using MacPherson struts in front.
The TT's first two generations were assembled by Audi's Hungarian subsidiary, one of the world's largest engine manufacturing plants, using bodyshells manufactured and painted at Audi's Ingolstadt plant and parts made entirely by the Hungarian factory for the third generation. In total, 662,762 Audi TTs were built, with the last manufactured in November 2023.
Design
Styling of the Audi TT began in the spring of 1994 at the Volkswagen Group Design Center in California. The TT was first shown as a concept car at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show. The design is credited to J Mays and Freeman Thomas, with Hartmut Warkuss, Peter Schreyer, Martin Smith and Romulus Rost contributing to the interior design.A laser beam welding technique, which enabled seamless design features on the first-generation TT, delayed its introduction. Audi did not offer an automatic transmission option for the TT until 2003, when it offered a dual clutch six-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox, with the United Kingdom TT variants becoming the world's first market for a dual clutch transmission configured for a right-hand drive vehicle, although the outright world first for a road car equipped with a dual clutch transmission was claimed earlier by a Volkswagen Group platform-mate, the left hand drive Volkswagen Golf Mk4 R32.
Name
The Audi TT takes its name from the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race — where NSU, Audi's predecessor, had enjoyed considerable motor racing success. NSU marque began competing at the Isle of Man TT in 1907 with the UK manager Martin Geiger finishing in fifth position in the single-cylinder race. The 1938 Isle of Man Lightweight TT race was won by Ewald Kluge with a 250 cc supercharged DKW motor-cycle and the DKW and NSU companies later merged into the company now known as Audi. The Audi TT also follows the NSU 1000TT, 1200TT and TTS cars of the 1960s in taking their names from the race.The TT nameplate has also been attributed to the phrase "Technology & Tradition".
TT Mk1 (''Type'' 8N, 1998–2006)
The production model was launched as a coupé in September 1998, followed by a roadster in August 1999. It is based on the Volkswagen Group A4 platform as used for the Volkswagen Golf Mk4, the original Audi A3, the Škoda Octavia, and others. The styling differed little from the concept, except for slightly reprofiled bumpers, and the addition of rear quarterlight windows behind the doors. Factory production commenced in October 1998.Early TTs were cited in a series of fatalities from accidents involving speeds over, abrupt lane changes or sharp turns. Both the coupé and roadster variants were recalled in late 1999/early 2000, to improve the car's handling predictability at very high speeds. Audi's Electronic Stability Programme or Anti Slip Regulation were added, as well as a rear spoiler, along with modifications to the suspension system. All changes were incorporated into subsequent production.
The Audi TT was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2000 and made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 2000 and 2001. By 2003, Audi revised the TT, with a number of small styling and practicality improvements.
Production of the first generation ended in June 2006.
Powertrain
Mechanically, the TT shares an identical powertrain layout with its related Volkswagen Group-mates. The TT uses a transversely mounted internal combustion engine, with either front-wheel drive or 'quattro four-wheel drive' available as an option. It was first available with a 1.8-litre inline four-cylinder 20-valve turbocharged engine in two states of DIN-rated power outputs; and. The engines share the same fundamental design, but the 225 PS version features a larger K04 turbocharger, an additional intercooler on the left side, larger 20mm wrist-pins, a dual tailpipe exhaust, intake manifold with inlet on driver's side, and a few other internals – designed to accommodate the increase in turbo boost, from roughly peak, to. Haldex Traction enabled four-wheel drive, branded "Quattro", was optional on the 180 engine and standard on the more powerful 225 version.The original four-cylinder engine range was complemented with a VR6 engine rated at and of torque in early 2003, which came as standard with the quattro four-wheel-drive system. In July 2003, a new six-speed dual clutch transmission – dubbed the Direct-Shift Gearbox, which improves acceleration through much-reduced shift times, was offered, along with a stiffer suspension.
Aerodynamics
According to Audi Head of Design Marc Lichte, the curved outline and rounded bodywork of the Mk1 TT's design was inspired by Bauhaus. This simplified curved shape was unusual at the time. The drag coefficient of the original TT is 0.35, which is similar to its competitors such as the BMW Z4 and the Mazda MX-5.However, the TT was involved in a number of high-speed accidents which were attributed to aerodynamic instability at high speeds. To solve these issues, Audi added modified control arms and firmer shock absorbers on both the front and rear suspension as well as a rear spoiler.
TT quattro Sport
In 2005, Audi released the Coupé-only limited edition. Just 1,165 were produced. 800 with steering wheel on the right side, 365 with steering wheel on the left side. or TT QS. Built by AUDI AG's high-performance specialist subsidiary quattro GmbH, it had increased power from its 1.8-litre turbocharged engine – rising to and of torque – and a reduction in weight of to, which allowed for a time of 5.9 seconds, and an electronically limited top speed of.This weight reduction was achieved by removing the spare wheel, rear harmonic damper, rear parcel shelf and rear seats, and the standard fitment air conditioning. The main battery was also relocated to the rear of the vehicle in order to maintain weight distribution as much as possible. Lightweight fixed-back Recaro bucket seats graced the interior. Distinguishable from other TT Coupés by its two-tone paint scheme and unique 18" 15-spoke cast aluminium alloy wheels, plus the same body kit as fitted to the TT 3.2 V6, the TT quattro Sport also featured black exhaust tailpipes and uprated suspension settings and new wheels, wider at the rear for improved handling. The brochure stated V6-spec brakes were to be fitted, however models delivered in the UK came with the standard 225 spec brake callipers which were red-painted.
8N engines
The 8N powertrain options consist of the following engines and drivelines:Lawsuits
In June 2007, a class action lawsuit was filed against Volkswagen Group of America, alleging the timing belts for model year 1999–2003 Audi and Volkswagen vehicles equipped with a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine failed prematurely. The complaint alleged that the timing belts failed prior to the owner's manual's service interval. The parties reached a class-wide settlement, with preliminary approval of the settlement granted in May 2008.In May 2008, a class action suit reached a nationwide settlement regarding allegedly defective instrument clusters on 2000–2004, and 2005 model year Audi TTs. Owners were entitled to submit claims for repairs, replacement and/or cash reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses and received a two-year instrument cluster warranty extension.
Safety
2.7T Quattro gmbH Concept
For the 30th anniversary Quattro gmbH unveiled an Imola Yellow TT that sported a 2.7 L Bi-Turbo V6 engine from a B5 Audi RS4 that produced and at 2,500 rpm which was manufactured in 2001. This was accomplished by using a B5 RS4 donor car, which included engine, transmission, rear differential, axles, brakes, and wheels from a B5 Avant. Using the RS4 drivetrain, Audi had the ability to utilize a Torsen based 6-speed Quattro manual transmission in a car that is normally using a transverse engine layout and Haldex based all wheel drive system.TT Mk2 (''Type'' 8J, 2006–2014)
In August 2004, Audi announced that the next generation TT would be manufactured using aluminium, and would go into production in 2007. A preview of the second-generation TT was provided in the form of the Audi Shooting Brake concept car, shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005. This concept was an insight into the new TT, but featured angular styling, and a "shooting-brake" two-door hatchback body style.Audi debuted the second-generation TT, internal designation Type 8J, on 6 April 2006, using the Volkswagen Group A5 platform with aluminium front bodypanels, and steel in the rear, to enhance its near-neutral front-to-rear weight distribution. Available in front-wheel drive or "quattro" four-wheel drive layout, the TT was again offered as a 2+2 Coupé, and as a two-seater Roadster. The second generation was five inches longer and three inches wider than its predecessor. Factory production commenced during August 2006.
8J powertrain
The powertrain options initially only included petrol engines, which consist of either one of two inline four-cylinder engines – the new 1.8-litre EA888 Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection , or the more common and established EA113-variant 2.0-litre TFSI. The Fuel Stratified Injection technology was derived from the Audi Le Mans endurance race cars, and offers improved fuel efficiency as well as an increased power output and cleaner emissions. The 3.2-litre 'V6' badged VR6 engine was carried over from the previous generation. 2.0 TFSI quattro models, with the latest EA888 engine, became available in 2009 model year.A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with the six-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox as an option for all engines. Quattro on-demand four-wheel drive, again using the Haldex Traction clutch is available – standard on V6 models, but not available on the 1.8 TFSI.