Audi TT

Audi has given its latest insight into plans to extend the TT family by unveiling a 395bhp, five-door concept called the TT Sportback.The Sportback, revealed at the Paris motor show, is the third conceptual derivative of the TT this year. It follows the stylish TT Allroad revealed at the Detroit show in January and the high-riding Offroad shown at Beijing in April.

All three variants are said to closely preview new liftback, shooting brake and SUV TT models. Their arrival within the next three years will swell the TT line-up to five, including the coupé and roadster.  

The TT Sportback draws its styling inspiration from the latest TT coupé and comes with heavy influences of the Bauhaus design lineage that has shaped the look of Audi’s line-up since the mid-1990s.

Although it is evident that the new Sportback is not simply a stretched version of the TT coupé, it is clear from the similarity in appearance that the five-door is intended to be a member of the same family of models.Among its more prominent elements is a bold six-corner grille set within a heavily structured front bumper.

The front end also features a clamshell style bonnet that wraps into the flanks and trapezoidal-shaped headlights with distinctive laser high beam projectors that are activated above 37mph.

The new model retains the prominent wheel arch flares that have been a feature of the TT since its introduction in 1996. They are filled out with 10-spoke, 21-inch alloy wheels shod with 255/30 tyres.A defined shoulder line runs the entire length of the flanks. Four frameless front-hinged doors provide access to the cabin. A shallow glasshouse is stretched by the addition of  third windows at the rear, and the B-pillars are fixed in the interests of structural rigidity.

Holding true to the layout of the TT coupé, the Sportback features a liftback-style tailgate similar to that of the A5 and A7. The rear also has new slimline LED ail-lights and twin oval-shaped tailpipes  set in a deep bumper.

The five-door TT is 290mm longer, 58mm wider and 27mm lower than the coupé. Underpinning it is a new variation of parent company Volkswagen’s MQB platform.To accommodate the rear doors and provide adequate rear seat accommodation for two adults, it has a 2637mm wheelbase, which is 125mm longer than the TT coupé’s.To keep weight down and achieve rigidity levels said to be similar to its two-door sibling’s, the body structure uses a variety of materials.

The front section is made from steel, the floor uses hot formed high-strength steel elements in differing gauges and the outer skin including the bonnet, four doors and bootlid are aluminium.

The interior is based closely on the TT coupé’s. The two cars share the same high-quality dashboard, digital instruments, centre console, switchgear, multi-function steering wheel, heavily bolstered front seats and carbonfibre-look trims.

Audi has given the Sportback concept two individual rear seats with integrated headrests. The rear seats, which are divided by an armrest and storage compartment, can be folded to extend luggage capacity.

The TT Sportback concept is powered by a heavily  tuned version of the EA888 four-cylinder petrol engine found in other TT models. Mounted transversely up front, the turbocharged 2.0-litre unit is claimed to produce 395bhp at 6400rpm and 332lb ft between 2400rpm and 6000rpm.

The TT Sportback concept has four-wheel drive and uses a six-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Audi quotes a 0-62mph sprint  time of just 3.9sec.

Four-seat Sportback concept set to join expanded TT family
290mm longer than coupé
395bhp 2.0-litre turbo engine
0-62mph in 3.9sec

Q&A Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi technical chief

Why is the TT range expanding?

We have 50 cars in our range now and will go to 60 by 2020. To do that, we will need to create segments. We need additional cars and with the TT there is already a clear market and customers for it.

Who is the TT Sportback concept aimed at?

This is the car for sporty customers with a young family, perhaps two children. It’s a sports car, like the TT. Lots of people have already said they want it.

Will any of the TT concepts make production?

We are looking at ‘inter segment clusters’, white space between segments where we can put new models into. The TT design is well known and liked, and it is ideal for putting in these inter-segment clusters. The TT helps you stand out with any body. We’ve done three concepts now and must see which is  the most sensible one that can get the most volume. There will be a decision in months.

Which TT concept is your favourite?

From a market and rational standpoint, it is the Offroad concept. SUVs are very popular. From a design and technical standpoint, it is the Sportback. It has the most harmonic design.