With the visionary concept “A car for enthusiasts”, Audi presented the Audi TT Coupé as a sports car design study at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the fall of 1995. The design defied the fashion of the time, and by doing so it won over the public in an instant. Three years later, the coupé rolled out of the factory in Győr in an almost unchanged form. A year after the TT Coupé, Audi unveiled the TT Roadster. In the second generation of the model, the Coupé was extended with the S and the RS versions. The third generation matured into a true sports car, the pride of Hungarian industry. We have gathered 25 fun facts, fascinating details and unmissable statistics about the iconic car which is bidding farewell this year.
Only 1,168 units
The TT Quattro Sport, also known as the TT QS, was presented in April 2005. A total of 1,168 of them were produced, out of which 800 were right-hand drive and 368 were left-hand drive. For some, the first series of TT was just a compact car that wanted to be a sports car, for others it was a sports car that was great to drive, like a VW Golf. Its chassis was stiffened, its center of gravity was lowered, and the 1.8-liter turbocharge units could produce up to 225 hp, which, backed by quattro all-wheel drive, is plenty for a fun drive. Still many people were not convinced that TT can be considered a sports car, so quattro GmbH took up the cause and addressed this issue. They launched even two projects in Neckarsulm based on the old TT (Typ 8N), one of which went into production.
Weight loss
The limited production TT Quattro Sport was one of the most authentic TTs of all time. The emphasis was on weight reduction, as clearly the extra kilos were to blame for the lack of apotheosis of driving it. The air conditioning was ditched, the seats were replaced with Recaro shells and the rear seats with sloping backrests. 75 kilograms were cut, the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine was upgraded to 240 hp and the maximum torque was increased to 320 Nm. Attention was paid to details as well: the roof dome was polished black, custom spoke wheels and wider tires were put under the chassis, and the steering wheel was covered in alcantara, which was a real rarity back then. For better weight distribution, the battery was relegated to the boot, as in the VR6, and the suspension was tuned to be even crisper.
2.7 liters of joy
In the other early project, the designers wanted a much more violent transformation. They used an axe instead of a knife for the cuts, and the result was called the TT 2.7 T RS. It exceeded all prior expectations and, as such, was not licensed for series production. Externally, the only difference between TT 2.7 T RS and the version that went into series production was the enlarged rear wing, but under the bonnet of TT 2.7 T RS there was a lion, not a puma. Six cylinders, two turbochargers with a dash of Cosworth spice – this is the engine of the RS 4. However, a complex surgery was needed for the engine transplant, as the 2.7-liter six-cylinder engine is a longitudinal one, while the TT was designed to carry its engine transversely. Instead of a routine heart transplant, the engine had to be rebuilt, with some parts taken out and others added. What was it like to drive the Frankenstein of Neckarsulm? It is strictly confidential, as I have never met anyone who managed to drive it. Those who had the privilege remained silent as the grave. In light of the information leaked to the press at the time it is more than obvious why this heavy weapon was never allowed to fall into amateur hands. A bi-turbo V6 with 380 hp, permanent 4x4 drive, VR6 gearbox and a sizeable rear wing – unfortunately, it was too evil to be allowed on the road.
Will 272 horsepower be enough?
With the second generation TT (codenamed 8J), designers pushed the limits and applied looser design rules. As a result, the driving dynamics were given more freedom. The technical underpinnings still came from the Golf, but the Audi space frame (ASF) aluminum body and the adaptive suspension radically differentiated it from a mainstream car. Even the standard versions ranging from 160 to 211 hp were highly responsive to acceleration, having precise steering, ample feedback, and the ability to put a smile on your face when driving a corner. But for a grin, you have to take a deep breath and get into the 272-hp S model.
Could it be stronger?
The S model was not bad, but in it we felt like being at the back of an auditorium, away from the flesh-and-blood performance, unable to see or hear things well. If you really wanted to enjoy the show, and were brave enough to do so, you had to take on the RS, which breathed new life into the five-cylinder turbo engine previously relegated to the back of the chassis.
Coming from America
We arrived at the point where the TT could not be looked down on and sneered at any more. Well, should we mention that this was thanks to the American Jetta 2.5-liter TFSI engine? And that the front axle was overloaded? Oh, never mind! The point is that the Audi TT RS became a real hero, exceeding all expectations. There had never been a more powerful, more athletic, more muscular, faster, angrier and louder TT manufactured on Kardán street, in the city of Győr. At least that’s what I thought when I floored it at a test drive in Germany. But I was wrong, it wasn’t the top one, as Audi released the Plus version, which added another 20 to the 340 horsepower of the TT RS. In the Plus you could already feel that Audi designers pushed the TT to the max. The task was accomplished: the compact coupé was transformed into a true sports car, but it was still far away from its full potential.
Titanium, puritan, 1 ton
2012 saw the birth of the TT Ultra Concept, the climax to lightweight design. Titanium conrods, carbon fiber plastic and magnesium body panels, lithium-ion starter battery, carbon fiber rims, ultra-high strength steel forged crankshaft, fiberglass-reinforced plastic coil springs, ceramic brakes, titanium exhaust system – thanks to all these the car lost 300 unnecessary kilograms. The study design model weighed exactly 1 ton, had an engine with 310 horsepower and a maximum torque of 400 newton meters. The interior was puritan, the doors opened with a wire handle, and the shifter was gated, just like in the R8 later on. It was too good to be true, and the world was not ready for it either. But some of its details are still alive today. Let’s just think of the e-tron with a heart from Győr but assembled in Brussels, which was equipped with exactly the same virtual exterior mirrors – for an extra fee – that the Ultra shocked its audience with at Lake Wörth back in the day.
It hurts!
The third generation of the TT was presented in 2015. The previous building kit was replaced by the modular transverse matrix, which made the TT as unique and varied at the same time as never before. An efficient diesel model, a slinky S model and a frenetic RS model, with 400 horsepower, was also produced as part of this generation. The RS, however, was not enough for the GTI party at Lake Wörth. Therefore, Audi came up with a more powerful one, and this was the 600-horsepower TT Clubsport Turbo. The fully functional, production-ready monster was powered by a five-cylinder engine. The huge mechanical turbocharger was supported by an electrically driven air compressor. The result was a surreal surge of energy that seemed like never-ending. Obviously, the Clubsport would have needed considerable taming and muzzling to be allowed on the streets. If only 500 newton meters had remained out of the 650, fans would have been banging on the factory gates demanding more, just as they did when the Porsche 911 R was launched. Instead, the Clubsport was banished to a secret garage in Ingolstadt, as a pioneer of a technology from which other models have benefited and gained life.
The Italian job
After barely beginning the production of the third generation TTs in Győr, Audi produced a limited edition in honor of Tazio Nuvolari. The Audi TT Nuvolari Limited, made in honor of one of the most famous and successful racing drivers of all time, was produced in only 100 units, because this is how many times the “Flying Mantovan” set the fastest lap in a race and also this is the number of his victories. The limited-edition sports car was produced exclusively in Daytona Grey, with the name of Nuvolari alongside the S-line lettering on the bodywork. The exterior was spruced up with 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels, while the headlights remained standard xenon. Interestingly, the car was only available with the two-liter, 184 hp diesel engine, the TDI, also from Győr, which accelerated the TT to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds, its top speed was 241 km/h, together with an average fuel consumption of 4.2 liters per 100 kilometers. It was only marketed in Italy.
The world belongs to twenty-year-olds!
In 2018, 20 years after the debut of the “ancestor TT”, Audi paid tribute to the 20-year success story with the “Audi TT 20 years” model. The jubilee edition was produced in 999 units and it paid homage to the first generation of the Audi TT, which debuted in 1998. Some of its details included those of the TTS Roadster study design car, which premiered at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show. The seats, the door panels and the center console were covered in mocca-brown nappa leather, with additional leather inserts and Panuka contrast stitching to give a more modern look to the former study car. A plaque displaying the unique serial numbering and the inscription “TT 20 years” on the steering wheel and gear knob decorate the passenger compartment. The 19-inch glossy grey aluminum wheel disks, the uniquely shaped exhaust tips, the matrix OLED tail lights and the matt four-rings above the side sills highlight the uniqueness of the exterior. Buyers could choose between arrow grey and nano grey finishes.
40 years young
When Audi celebrated the 40th anniversary of the quattro drive, one of the icing on the cake was a special edition of the top model of the TT series. The Audi TT RS 40 years quattro was a spectacular celebration of the success story of the quattro drive. A special limited edition of 40 numbered units of the TT RS was produced exclusively for fans in Germany as a very special anniversary gift. Fortunately, we didn’t have to travel to Germany to see it, as there was an exhibition piece on display in the factory in Győr.
The winning type
The TT RS 40 years quattro was powered by the 2.5 TFSI engine of Audi Sport produced in Győr. The five-cylinder engine, which won the International Engine of the Year Award nine times in a row, produces 294 kW (400 hp) power and has a maximum torque of 480 Nm.
Faster than 280
The top speed of the TT RS 40 years quattro was increased to 280 km/h as standard, levelling up the TT to the entry-level of the super sports cars segment. The backing vocals to acceleration were determined by the typical firing order of a five-cylinder: 1-2-4-5-3. The cylinders, placed directly next to but at a distance from each other, fire alternately. Painted in Alpine white, the Audi TT RS 40 years quattro was proud to claim its motorsport heritage. The foiling on the bodywork is reminiscent of the colors of the uniquely modified Audi Sport quattro S1 in which Walter Röhrl won the legendary Pikes Peak mountain race in 1987.
On the wings of winds
The carbon-fiber engine roof with central air outlet not only looks gorgeous, but also helps ventilate the engine compartment – the opening allows heat to escape even faster. Developed in the wind tunnel, the wing kit enhances driving performance and management in fast corners and has a significant impact on the aerodynamics of this compact sports car. The wing kit consists of glossy black side slats on the front apron and a front splitter. The side skirts lead through to the distinctive rear end, which features a fixed wing, spoiler side panels and a diffuser. They contribute just nine kilograms of lift to the front axle and about five kilograms of downforce to the rear axle at top speed. The relationship between drag and buoyancy is optimally balanced. This interaction had been explicitly taken into account during the development process in the wind tunnel.
Back seat? Why?
The interior of the anniversary TT was also updated to further enhance the sporty character of the 2+2 seater model. At customer’s request, the rear seat could be replaced with a carbon strut, thus reducing the car’s weight by around 16 kg and improving its torsional rigidity. The special model got even closer to the world of motorsports, as the engine and exhaust sounds were more intense.
It ended well
After 25 years, the end is here. Audi TT does not have a direct successor any more. But the factory arranged a phenomenal finale: the Audi TT RS Coupé iconic edition, which is a special model that is offered throughout Europe, but only 100 lucky buyers can take it home. What are the specialties? For example, the RS-specific Nardo Grey paintwork. The grille is glossy black, its frame is matt black and the quattro badge is titanium grey. In addition to the unique badging and mirror housings, edition-specific features include glossy black 20-inch seven-spoke lightweight alloy wheels with matching black-painted brake calipers. The partially frosted rear triangular windows with an exclusive “iconic edition” inscription complete the unique design. The aerokit is indispensable – all its elements were inspired by competitive sport.
Like the wind
The power of the dark knight remains the same, with the iconic edition relying on the TT RS Coupé’s proven 2.5 TFSI engine with 294 kW (400 hp) of power and 480 Nm of maximum torque. In typical TT RS fashion, power is transmitted to all four wheels via the seven-speed S tronic automatic transmission. An electrohydraulic controlled multi-disc clutch, which debuted as a technology in the Audi TT in 1998, freely distributes all-wheel drive between the front and rear axles. The top speed here is also 280 km/h. The compact sports car sprints from standstill to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds.
Pure pleasure
With the Audi drive select the driver can influence all-wheel drive and other systems, such as steering, gearshift speed, exhausts and engine characteristics. The 1,475 kilograms of pure pleasure were made manageable by the RS sport suspension with adaptive shock absorbers featuring Audi magnetic ride technology.
Ninety-nine
During the 25 years of TT, many other special editions were made. One of these was the Audi TT Quantum Gray Edition, out of which only 99 units were produced and could only be purchased online in 2019. Dealerships offered the possibility for customers to view the car virtually through a VR-glass and without making commitments. Buyers could collect their cars at the location of their choice, at the time and with the number plate they desired. The grey special edition is based on the 45 TFSI Quattro S-Tronic with 245 hp. The transmission was provided by a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive. The coupé accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h.
Keep to the right!
Between 1998 and 1 May 2023, 302,411 TTs were produced with 1.8-liter engines, 261,916 with two-liter engines, 37,490 with 3.2-liter petrol engines, 18,443 with 2.5-liter five-cylinder engines and 36,153 with diesel engines. In terms of gearboxes, most cars were equipped with a six-speed manual transmission (263,003 cars), 224,433 cars were equipped with DSG, 124,203 with a five-speed manual and 44,772 TTs with S-Tronic automatic transmission. 338,486 TTs had only front-wheel drive, 317,927 TTs had quattro all-wheel drive. The car was also very popular in countries with right-hand traffic, and 219,002 TTs with right-hand drive were produced in Győr.
Only five can stay
TT is currently available in five variants, the Roadster is not configurable any more, the weakest one is the TT Coupé 40 TFSI S tronic with 197 hp, and the most powerful one is the TT RS Coupé quattro S tronic model with 400 hp, but it also has 245 hp and 320 hp versions (TTS). Eight different finishes, plus custom and unique matt finishes are available on request.
228 kW
In the Americas, the four-cylinder, two-liter version with 231 hp (170 kW) was purchased the most during its lifetime, while in Europe the 245 hp (180 kW) and 197 hp (145 kW) versions were the favorites. The latter one was the most sold TT in Asia, while the 245 hp and the 310 hp (228 kW) versions were the most popular ones in Australia and Africa, respectively.
73 hours
The production time of an Audi TT is 73 hours, which includes the time spent in the central body storage. Without that, it took Audi Hungaria an average of 52 hours to build a car, by finishing a total of 1,750 bolting points.
1.75 kilometers
The electric wires in a basic Audi TT model are about 1.75 kilometers long and weigh almost 18 kilograms.
Popular colors
Production statistics show that in 2022, the most frequently ordered colors were: mythos black (2,133 cars), glacier white (1,570), Daytona grey (1,231), Chronos grey (1,018), Tango red (814).
