 High-tech gearshifting: S tronic
Hightech für den Gangwechsel: Die S tronic
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The Audi TTSAudi is taking the wraps off a new sports car - the Audi TTS, the top of the TT model line. It will be coming to dealer showrooms in the early summer.
Powerful looks: 18-inch wheels plus new headlights The Audi TTS instantly stands out as the dynamic flagship of the TT model line. The standard 18-inch aluminum wheels are a highlight of the exterior design, as are the headlights, comprising newly designed bi-xenon units with LED daytime running lights. Inside, passengers are welcomed by deep-set sports seats trimmed in a mixture of leather and Alcantara, with Silk Nappa leather seat upholstery in four different color combinations available as an option. The gray instrument panel as well as the multifunctional steering wheel add further styling touches. The TTS Roadster comes with an electrohydraulic drive for the soft top, a power wind deflector, plus, for added practicality, a load-through facility. The rear seats in the Coupe have a split-folding design, allowing luggage capacity to be increased from 290 to 700 liters (10.24 to 24.72 cubic ft.). The hard-top TTS is priced at 44,900 euros and the convertible version at 47,750 euros. The unveiling of the TTS also marks something of an anniversary for Audi: It was 10 years ago that the TT Coupe first took to the road, swiftly acquiring the status of design icon. And the TT has stayed firmly in the fast lane ever since. The equipment, specifications and prices stated herein refer to the model line offered for sale in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.
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Under its hood lies a two-liter TFSI
high-performance engine delivering a mighty 200 kW (272 hp). This intense
power propels the TTS Coupe to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) from a standstill in
just 5.2 seconds and on to a governor-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155.34
mph). The Audi TTS is available as both a 2 + 2-seater coupe and as a roadster.
Designed to appeal to a young and dynamic clientele, the TTS represents the
Audi brand's Vorsprung durch Technik ("advancement through technology") in
its very latest form. The TFSI engine in the TTS takes the two Audi technologies
of gasoline direct injection and turbocharging and blends them to form a
perfect partnership. Aside from its output of 200 kW (272 hp), it is its
peak torque of 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft), which is constantly on tap between
2,500 and 5,000 rpm, that makes the compact and lightweight four-cylinder
unit so impressive. Compared to the engine it was derived from, the two-liter
power unit has been reengineered and strengthened in a number of key areas
to ready it for operation in the TTS. Thanks to its excellent efficiency,
the sporty-sounding TFSI has an average fuel consumption of just 8.0 liters
of fuel per 100 kilometers (29.375 mpg) in the Coupe when partnered by the
six-speed manual transmission, while the figure for the roadster averages
8.2 l/100 km (28.659 mpg). These figures are improved by 0.1 and 0.2 l/100
km (by 0.372 and 0.716 mpg), respectively, if the optional S tronic dual-clutch
transmission is fitted. S tronic, which deploys two clutches, is capable
of performing extremely quick gear shifts at high engine loads and rev speeds;
consequently, the time taken to sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph)
is cut by a further two-tenths of a second in both the Coupe and Roadster.
Loss-free transfer of power to the road is the task of the standard quattro
permanent all-wheel drive that enables the TTS to accelerate quicker and
with greater stability than its rivals. At the heart of this system is a
hydraulic multi-plate clutch that works faster than ever thanks to a new
pressure reservoir.
The TTS rolls off the production line
equipped with yet another high-tech module - the Audi magnetic ride adaptive
damping system. This gives the driver the choice of two characteristic settings:
"Standard" mode is designed for a well-balanced, comfortable ride, whereas
in the "Sport" setting the TTS harnesses all of the potential of its sports
suspension - which lowers the body by 10 millimeters (0.39 in.) - to deliver
uncompromisingly dynamic handling. Its front suspension is mainly made of
aluminum, while the efficient technology of the precision electromechanical
steering also helps to improve fuel consumption considerably. The sports
car is safely brought to a standstill by the high-performance braking system
with its 17-inch discs. Yet another factor in the supreme performance of
the TTS is the hybrid construction of its body. Steel is used at the rear
end, while the front and center sections of the body are built from lightweight
aluminum. ASF (Audi Space Frame) technology optimizes axle load distribution
and reduces the overall weight. The manual Coupe weighs just 1,395 kilograms
(3,075.45 lbs), which equates to a power-to-weight ratio of 5.1 kg/hp (11.24
lbs/hp).