Audi Malaysia has launched its all-new TT coupe here today, bringing to our roads one of the most iconic sports cars in recent history. The new 2-door promises to be one of the most exciting vehicles to drive and is packed with technology and features that will undoubtedly raise the bar in terms of what one expects out of a driving experience.
The TT, now in its 3rd generation, has come a long way from its 1995 debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, back when it had a much curvier design philosophy. Looking at the new TT, it’s easy to see the resemblance, but easier still to see how Audi have kept things very modern. It’s now almost entirely covered in hard angles and bold lines that give the car a very futuristic look. It even inherits some of the R8’s handsome features, especially at the front end, which is dominated by horizontal lines and a large Singleframe grille.
Sticking to the TT design philosophy, the team at Audi have made sure that the rear lights mirror the design of the Daytime Running Lights on the Matrix LED headlights. This is also similar to the new R8 too, but the TT carves its own distinct look, especially when you factor in the overall silhouette of the car and notice many of the original TT’s proportions and contours have made their way to the latest model. Even the placement of exhaust ports, which were close together on the TT, has been preserved.
It doesn’t just look good though, there’s plenty of performance and tech that makes the TT come together as a unique car that’s still very much an Audi. Speaking at the launch event, Managing Director of Audi Malaysia, Immo Buschmann stated, “The third-generation TT you see today is a result of our philosophy of putting no limits in engineering a performance-oriented, emotionally sculpted, technological tour-de-force that embodies everything that we at Audi stand for.”
It’s true; the TT has got a lot of technology under the hood. As one might expect from something this advanced, ABS, Traction Control, Electronic Stabilisation Control and Electronic Brake Force Distribution are all present on this vehicle, but there are plenty of extras too. It’s also equipped with Electronic Differential Lock, Parking Aid Plus as well as a start/stop system that recuperates energy. But that’s not even the best part.
Once you sit in the driver’s seat, you’ll notice that the TT has no physical speedometer, nor does it have any other gauges. Instead, drivers are treated to the Audi Virtual Cockpit. No media unit or touchscreen display on the centre console, just a humongous 12.3” high-resolution LCD screen that can be customised to the driver’s personal taste.
In Classic View, the traditional speedometer and rev counter dominate the screen, with navigation and media controls in the centre. Progressive View on the other hand transforms the information cluster into something way more functional, with fluid and precise graphics that help the driver access information right where he expects it to be.
Audi have taken this ‘driver-first’ approach further by making nearly all of the Multi-Media Interface and Navigation controls accessible via the steering wheel. The built-in system can take very naturally voice commands like “Take me to the nearest petrol station”, making voice control a more viable option to use while driving.
One other unique aspect of the TT’s interior is the climate control buttons, which are placed on the turbine propeller-inspired air vents in the centre. It’s easy to see that this saves a lot more space on the console, which allowed Audi to be more flexible with its interior design.
Audi managed to balance luxury and sportiness just right by using Alcantara, a robust, synthetic suede material, on the seats with leather accents all around the interior. It’s a great combination and gives the interior a plush feel without looking bland in 100% leather. It’s also worth noting that the TT comes in a 2+2 seating configuration, making ideal for everyday use. What’s more is that the boot’s pretty large, with 305 litres of space available, extendable to 712 litres with the rear seats folded up.
Now for the most important part of the TT, how it performs. The version of the TT being sold here gets the 2.0 TFSI, a direct injection petrol engine with turbocharging and Audi’s proprietary valvelift system. It’s a pretty powerful unit that’s capable of producing 230 horsepower and 370 Nm of torque at the crank, which propel the car to 100km/h from a standstill in just 5.9 seconds and up to an electronically limited 250km/h. Despite all that power, it still capable of achieving a fuel economy rating of 6.3L/100km. That’s the sort of figure you get on much smaller hatchback cars.
Prices for the Audi TT start at RM284,900.00 OTR but there are a lot of added bonuses that one might consider adding on, such as the 19” alloy rims or the Matrix LED headlights.
