2005 Audi TT impressions emerge

It appears as though the hard times are over. Just after the terrorist attacks of September 11, the automotive industry recorded a sharp downturn, as did many influential markets the world over.

But things are changing. Car makers are now starting to invest more money into new designs and concepts as the world economies seem to be getting back to some semblance of normality.

In a recent Audi RSR sports coupe article, we mentioned that Audi may have been looking at re-tooling the current model Audi TT, which is still considered quite the looker even today.

Well, we were right. So right, in fact, that we've got some early Audi sketches to prove it.

The new look TT, if these impressions are anything to go by, won't be radically different from what's on offer now. The front-end is largely unchanged, save for a redesigned grille surround and a slightly sculpted bonnet.

The headlights have been tweaked, with the indicators now above xenon and halogen globes, plus this new model will be larger.

Early reports are saying it will be 40cm longer, thanks to its new underpinnings, which will be borrowed from the upcoming VW Golf. This will provide more interior space for luggage or passengers, which most TT owners will be quite pleased to hear.

The new TT's body, like the upcoming A8, will be made from aluminium as well.

The rear end is a little more different, with a more sculpted and retro-looking boot. All models will feature a boot-lid spoiler as well, which is to address the high-speed jitters on the current model some owners have complained about.

The tail-lights fit more comfortably into the Audi family and the sexy twin-exhaust pipes are back, only this time they are divided by some groovy mesh material. And speaking of resdesigned exhausts, Audi will surely have been playing around with the current system as some serious power is heading its way.

As we predicted, Audi will be looking at using one of its V6 engines, and while our money was on the Allroad's 2.7-litre mill making the grade, it seems we were all wrong.

The new TT, which will appear about mid-way through 2005, will now be available with a Mercedes SL-like choice of weaponry.

The entry-level Audi TT will come packed with one of the company's new-fangled 2.0-litre FSI powerplants. FSI is basically direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber, though the whole process is far from basic. Click here for more info on FSI.

The 2.0-litre FSIs will be inline four-cylinder jobs, replacing the existing 1.8-litre turbo engines. Basic output from the 2.0-litre mill is expected to be about 112kW, while a turbocharged FSI engine will make closer to 135kW of power.

More interesting, perhaps, is that Audi will be plonking two variants of a 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine under the TT's bonnet.

Now this won't come as a surprise, but putting such a (relatively) large engine in a (relatively) small car can mean only one thing - more fun!

All models will be four-wheel drive, and sources estimate the naturally aspirated V6 will put out in the vicinity of 200kW of power.

Bolt on a turbocharger, hook it up to a fat intercooler and all of a sudden Audi's offering one very mean and very rapid 3.2-litre, 260kW TT coupe.

Consider that the new model will be lighter, in large part due to the aluminium body, and will have improved handling, thanks to steering geometry and suspension revisions, and what are we left with?

A three year wait...

All second-generation TT models will come with 17-inch alloy mags though the price is likely to rise, particularly in relation to the high performance six-cylinder models.

Rather than going backwards, Audi has taken a step in the right direction with the TT. Change it too much, and it could get real ugly. Don't change it enough and drivers will be left wondering what could have been.

As it stands, we'll be keeping a very close eye on the planned 2005 TT, part of Audi's master plan to boost sales over the next decade. Will it work? We think so.