Every Audi TT
is noted for its clear lines, unmistakable dynamism and the driving
characteristics of a sports car. Audi now presents the TT in its most purist
form: the clubsport quattro study
Klare Linien, unverwechselbare Dynamik,
Fahreigenschaften eines Sportwagens: Das zeichnet jeden Audi TT aus. Mit
der Studie clubsport quattro zeigt Audi die puristischste Form des
TT
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The Audi TT clubsport quattro
The Audi TT clubsport
quattro study reduces the TT Roadster to a pure driving machine. A powerful
engine, state-of-the-art technology and numerous traits borrowed from the
world of motorsport are the dominant features of the TT clubsport
quattro.
The goal that the development engineers set themselves for
this vehicle study was to achieve purism at a premium level. No hood, no
A-post - instead, a wraparound windscreen kept extremely low which deliberately
evokes images of a speedster. The flat, slightly tinted window strip surrounds
the cockpit. The panoramic windscreen and the two humps located behind the
interior in place of the hood compartment are reminiscent of a racing car.
The rollover bars familiar from the TT Roadster are kept flatter and are
the same height as the sports bucket seats. The front end is dominated by
the single-frame grille which has aluminium inserts to give its design a
horizontal emphasis. This makes the TT clubsport quattro appear even flatter
than it already is. The four rings of the logo are not located in the grille
as on most Audi models, but on the bonnet. The large air inlets in the front
end supply additional air to the more potent TFSI engine. LED daytime running
lights provide an eye-catching highlight at all times of day. The visible
stainless steel rear silencer is the striking feature in the rear bumper,
while the blade under the rear silencer visibly underscores the vehicle's
sports character. The dual-branch exhaust system with its oval tailpipes
calls to mind the sporty Audi production models such as the RS 4. |
There is a deliberate lack of visual interruptions in the side line and you
will look in vain for door handles. The TT clubsport quattro is opened by
remote control: the doors spring open at the press of a button. The size
of the two exterior mirrors has also been minimised. 20-inch wheels with
tyres of size 265/30 R20 emphasise the car's muscular appearance, as does
its track width which has been increased by a total of 80 millimetres compared
with a production TT. Not only that, but the wheel arches have also been
enlarged additionally. The car is painted Daytona Grey, a colour that Audi
used for the first time on the RS 4 and the S8. The exterior design features
dark shades of grey. This forms a contrast with the metallic elements, with
the grille and side grille in Gun Metal, a steely colour which imbues the
TT clubsport quattro with a look which is both sporty and pure. The brake
callipers, the orange colour of which links the exterior design to the interior,
provide a visual contrast. These bright colour highlights also provide attractive
visual touches in the interior, on elements such as the instrument cowl,
the armrest and on the back of the bucket seats. The black leather seat itself
also boasts a special feature in the shape of a laser pattern worked into
the seat. This was specially designed for the TT clubsport quattro and plays
on the TT logo.
The sports character demonstrated by the exterior design is
continued inside the car, where purism was also the driving element. Racing
bucket seats are provided for both occupants. Together with four-point belts
that are three inches wide, these offer both driver and passenger excellent
support, even in extreme driving situations - on the racetrack, for example.
The generous use of aluminium is characteristic of Audi. This starts with
the steering wheel which is adorned with a twin spoke crafted from this
lightweight metal. The pedals are also made of aluminium and exhibit a grooved
structure. They consequently not only afford a better grip, but also help
to save weight. Foot rests are provided for both driver and passenger in
the TT clubsport quattro. The gear lever gate adopted from the new mid-engined
sports car, the Audi R8, and the aluminium gear knob are a joy to behold.
This lightweight metal is also used for the door pull and the door opener,
both of which are cut-out, a feature which further underlines the interior's
purist character. The sill area has also been restyled compared with the
production model. Rather than being interrupted by a sill strip, it now
emphasises the width of the car. A new door sill trim located further inside
the car, along with floor mats sporting the TT logo as an aluminium inlay
provide further visual highlights. The surrounding strip on the top shoulder
is also made of this lightweight metal. The Audi designers came up with a
special idea in the field of entertainment. Instead of the middle of the
three round air vents in the upper part of the dashboard, they integrated
an interface here, designed among other things for the B&O MP3 player
BeoSound 2. The round player built by Audi's premium partner fits exactly
into the circular opening and is a sheer delight for the senses, both visually
and acoustically. The instrument cluster is very different from the one in
a production model. The vertical needles and colour graphics are the eye-catching
features. The clock and odometer have been omitted in keeping with the car's
underlying purist philosophy. |
The racing character of the Audi TT clubsport quattro is underscored
by its technology. The Audi engineers have packed the 2.0 TFSI engine with
even more power than the 260 bhp familiar from the Audi S3. The turbocharged
four-cylinder unit with petrol direct injection breaks the magic 300 bhp
barrier. Thanks to a modified intake manifold, it has been possible to get
even more power out of this highly efficient engine (which was "Engine of
the Year" in its class in 2005 and 2006). Power is transferred to all four
wheels, making the TT clubsport quattro the first new-generation TT with
four-cylinder engine and quattro permanent four-wheel drive. The transmission
is also new in this performance category. Thanks to its dual clutch, the
S tronic direct-shift gearbox changes gear virtually without interrupting
the flow of power, a process that goes unnoticed by the driver. The six gears
can, however, also be changed manually, with gearshifts taking just fractions
of a second. Anyone opening the bonnet will be met by a fascinating sight.
Thanks to a lack of cables and auxiliaries, the engine compartment looks
extremely clean. The engine has deliberately not been hidden under a cover.
The cross brace running above the engine is a technical stroke of genius.
It not only makes the car more rigid, but also contains the coolant expansion
tank. The ABS system has been moved from the engine compartment to the interior.
The air conditioning and activated charcoal filter are not to be found in
the engine compartment either. A racing air filter ensures that the engine
takes in a sufficient amount of air. The exhaust system has been adapted
to suit the car's sporty performance: the specially tuned exhaust emits the
genuine sound of motor racing. |
Ceramic brakes are fitted in the TT for the first time. These are absolutely
non-fading and enable countless sharp braking manoeuvres without any loss
of stopping power. Once again, Audi has taken advantage of its superior wealth
of experience: ceramic brakes are already offered for the RS 4, the A8 and
S8, for example, and are enjoying increasing popularity with customers. The
Audi TT clubsport quattro is a purist driving machine that combines the
performance of a sports car with a unique design language. It consequently
remains a TT on the one hand, while at the same time demonstrating just what
is possible with such a fascinating production vehicle. The possible small-series
production of this model is being considered.
READER COMMENTS
AUDI AG, Kommunikation Produkt
und Technik
AUDI AG, Communication Product and Technology
Ingolstadt, May 15, 2007 |
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