As well as launching the new TT at this
year’s Geneva show, Audi also displayed a concept car, based on the new TT.
Audi was calling it the ‘TT quattro sport concept show car’, and enthusiasts
must be wondering whether it will ever see production.
The big feature of the concept is the engine.
Based on the EA888 series engine which is already used for the TT, its output
is boosted to a striking 420 PS at 6700 rpm – equivalent to 210 PS per litre,
which is pretty phenomenal, and is more than was achieved with the 2001 R8
racing sports car. The maximum torque of the engine is 450 Nm, and this is
available from 2400 to 6300 rpm.
Audi
TT 420
According to Audi, the 0-62 mph standing start
time is 3.7 seconds. Few changes were required to the existingEA888 engine
which has variable valve timing, dual camshaft adjustment and dual injection,
but the special pistons have cooling channels and the crankshaft is made from
high-strength forged steel. The crankcase itself is made from a high-strength
cast alloy, while a newly-developed turbocharger has optimised flow and
generates up to 1.8 bar pressure.
As you would expect, the drive is taken through
an S tronic gearbox and fed to all four wheels by the Haldex-based
four-wheel-drive system.
The chassis is virtually the same as the
regular version of the new TT, but the coil springs are stiffer, and the ride height
is lower. The wheels fitted to the concept have a diameter of 20 inches.
‘
Based on the EA888 series engine which is already used for the TT, its output
is boosted to a striking 420 PS at 6700 rpm...’
At the front, a carbon-fibre reinforced
polymer splitter increases down force on the front axle and the side intakes are
much more prominent. Altogether, the front end looks quite aggressive. The wheel
arches are more muscular, extending 30 mm further than those of the production
TT. At the rear, the tailpipes are further apart than on the production car,
and emerge through a prominent splitter. A fixed rear spoiler is used,
supported on skeletal brackets.
The interior is stripped out in comparison
with the production TT, the door panels having no armrests or speakers and the
door pulls are simple lengths of Alcantara fabric. The low-set bucket seats are
fitted with four-point harnesses, the black belts having contrasting white
stripes.
The steering wheel is rather special and is
fitted with stop/start buttons and rotary controls which operate the new digital
instrument panel, instead of the regular MMI switches on the console.
‘
The steering wheel is fitted with stop/start buttons and rotary controls which
operate the new digital instrument panel, instead of the regular MMI switches
on the console..’
With the very high output from the 2.0 TFSL
engine, one has to wonder whether the TT quattro sport concept will ever enter
production, particularly when there is certain to be a new .
TT RS with the five-cylinder engine. It
would be great if both were available for enthusiasts to choose from.
