2007 Audi TT Roadster: First Look

Motoring Channel Staff - 19/Oct/2006

Ingolstadt, Germany — Audi has taken the wraps off its new second generation Audi TT Roadster, which is larger and more powerful than the model it replaces. The new car will be on sale by early 2007 in Europe (northern Spring) and closer to home Audi Australia has stated the sophisticated convertible will come Down Under mid-way through 2007.

Taking all the best design cues from the recently launched second generation Audi TT coupe, the new TT Roadster chops the top for what will be one of the ultimate European boulevard cruisers. As Audi correctly observes, the open-top sports car retains the distinctive lines of its tremendously successful predecessor, but instils them with even greater emotion.

German automaker Audi will offer a choice of two engines for its new TT Roadster. The most expensive version will be the 3.2-litre V6 powered car, which generates 184kW (250bhp) - more power than Holden's V6 Commodore - and is coupled to the quattro drive system as standard for improved grip and roadholding. The second engine is the 2.0-litre TFSI engine, which blends turbocharging with petrol direct injection technology, delivering 147kW (200 bhp) to the front wheels. 

Both model variants can be ordered with the innovative S tronic dual-clutch gearbox (formerly DSG) as an alternative to the standard 6-speed manual shift.

The chassis of the new Roadster is also built for impressive sporty performance claims Audi, saying its highlight is the new magnetic ride system. This system (which is optional) involves suspension damping technology that allows drivers to choose between an uncompromisingly dynamic ride or more comfort-orientated characteristics. So at the touch of a button, the suspension system can go from soft and cruisy to hard and fast, perfect for sporty driving and tight corners.

To mirror the puristic character of open-top motoring, the boldly styled body is crowned by a lightweight cloth roof. The TT Roadster 3.2 quattro comes as standard with a quick-action, fully automatic soft top which is available as an option for the 2.0 TFSI, which is normally equipped with a Mazda MX-5 inspired manually operated roof. As always, you get what you pay for.

As mentioned, both V6 and turbo 4-cylinder versions the new Audi TT Roadster will arrive in Australia about half way through 2007, but Audi Australia has not yet finalised local pricing and specification. However, the previous models' cost between $80,000 and $90,000, and no V6 model was offered, so the V6 TT Roadster may reach a six figure price tag, while the 4-cylinder models will fetch around $80k.

Styling -

Audi observes that curvaceous and almost retro design of the first TT Roadster elevated it to the status of a cult classic, and it's quite clear the German automaker has preserved this charismatic style, giving a few changes here and there to keep it contemporary. 

At the front of the stylish car, wing-shaped plastic elements are embedded into the slanted, sharply tapered headlights to emphasise the three-dimensional depth of the lamp units, while at the rear of the car, it is the large tailpipes and the wide diffuser which stand out the most. The tube-shaped reflectors seem to hover inside the tail light units and as is the case with the hard top TT Coupé, an electrically powered spoiler rises up out of the boot lid when the speed reaches 120km/h. Theoretically, this will never happen on Australian roads as the speed limit is 110km/h [except in the Northern Territory, where there is no speed limit on rural roadways - Ed].

Whereas the tail end and the roof section seem to flow into one another at the rear of the TT Coupé, the soft top of the TT Roadster forms a clear contrast that gives the overall design a more geometric look according to Audi. The TT Roadster's body lines brim with power and this impression is underscored by the athletic curves of the vehicle's flanks just as much as by the rising dynamic line above the sill area and the taut, muscular shoulder line. Another eye-catching feature is the fuel filler cap positioned above the rear right wheel, in a classic aluminium design.

Compared to the model it replaces the new TT Roadster has undergone a growth spurt says Audi, with the new proportions accentuating its sporty nature. Length is now 4,178 millimetres (+137mm), width 1,842mm (+78mm) and height 1,358mm (+8mm), while the wheelbase has been extended by 46 to 2468mm, which should improve ride comfort. Despite the extra size however, the drag coefficient of the 2.0 TFSI is just 0.32 with the soft top up, which isn't bad for a drop top.

Roof Mechanism -

Audi made a conscious decision to keep the cloth hood for the new TT Roadster, resisting the urge to implement a metal folding roof system. Though cloth roofs are less secure, and often command a higher insurance premium, they also cost less to manufacture, making the end product cheaper for the consumer. 

Audi believes that the cloth roof offers a number of benefits over a folding steel hard top:

• The cloth hood, incorporating reinforcements made from steel and aluminium as well as a large glass rear window, has a very lightweight construction – not only does this reduce the overall weight of the TT Roadster, it lowers its centre of gravity too.

• It sleekly blends in with the car's lines and takes up only a small amount of space when folded down. Thanks to the new Z-fold, the front section of the roof lies on top of the cloth like a cover. It locks into place to lie flush with the body, dispensing with the need for a tonneau cover. The soft top is available in the colours black and dark grey.

Audi's new 2007 TT Roadster 3.2 quattro comes as standard with an electro hydraulically powered soft top - you just hit a button and hello sunshine - which is available for the 2.0 TFSI as a cost option. This version of the soft top opens in just 12 seconds at the push of a button, and can even be operated on the move at speeds of up to 50km/h. The fully automatic hood is a bit heavier and incorporates an additional layer of soundproofing beneath the black headliner for even better acoustic and thermal insulation. 

The manually operated roof, meanwhile, is operated by means of a central catch. A mesh wind deflector that extends and retracts electrically can be ordered as an option to smooth the air stream in the interior, something that none of the competitor models are able to offer,points out Audi.

Engines -

The 4-cylinder turbocharged engine directs its power to the front wheels, while the V6 powers all four wheels based on the quattro principle offering dynamism and sure roadholding in equal measure. Apart from a sporty 6-speed manual shift, both engines are also available in conjunction with the innovative S tronic dual-clutch gearbox for lightning-fast gear changes without any interruption in the power flow.

2.0-litre TFSI 4-cylinder: This 4-cylinder unit bearing the initials TFSI (Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection) musters up 147kW (200bhp) and a constant 280Nm of torque between 1800 and 5000rpm from its capacity of 1,984cc. The TFSI technology combines a turbocharger to optimum effect with Audi's own petrol direct injection, which produces a distinct improvement in combustion efficiency. In both 2005 and 2006, the responsive and extremely refined 2.0-litre turbocharged FSI unit was voted "Engine of the Year" by an international jury of experts.

When fitted with the S tronic shift, the Audi TT Roadster 2.0 TFSI accelerates from standstill to 100km/h in just 6.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 237km/h. It burns an average of just 7.8 litres of fuel for every 100 km (7.8L/100km).

The V6 unit with its capacity of 3,189cc delivers a bigger bang than the 4-cylinder turbo and is quicker too. The TT Roadster 3.2 quattro is more than half a second quicker to 100km/h than its smaller sibling, sprinting from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds with the S tronic gearbox and can go on to reach a governed top speed of 250km/h. It's thirstier than the 2.0 TFSI though, and returns average fuel consumption figures of 9.5L/100km.

Vital statistics are as follows: 184kW (250bhp) of power and a peak torque of 320Nm, which is on tap between 2500 and 3000rpm.

Chassis -

Audi explains the sporty chassis has undergone complete redevelopment for the new TT Roadster compared to its precursor. Its chief features are the complex four-link rear suspension, wide track widths, elastokinematics that have been heavily reworked, plus larger wheels. The 2.0 TFSI rides on 16-inch and the 3.2 quattro on 17-inch alloy wheels and the wheels may be specified with run-flat capabilities as an option.

The front wheel suspension, which is linked to a separate subframe, has a McPherson construction that has been refined by the use of lightweight aluminium components says Audi, and now the electromechanical power-assisted steering combines a direct ratio with sensitive precision for better control.

The construction of the four-link rear suspension, which also operates using a subframe, separates the coil springs and the shock absorbers from one another. The longitudinal links – which have a relatively soft set-up for enhanced ride comfort – absorb the propulsive and braking forces, while the rigid connection of the three transverse links for each wheel allows them to direct the lateral forces into the bodyshell with great precision. The redeveloped electronic stabilisation program (ESP) has been optimised for a sporty driving style and to help produce the steering balance of the TT Roadster, which varies between neutral and slight understeer, explains Audi.

The optional Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping system is a high-tech feature that is unique in the roadster segment claims Audi. At the push of a button, drivers can choose between either an extra-comfortable or a decidedly dynamic suspension set-up. Circulating inside the shock absorber struts is a special fluid containing minute magnetic particles, and by applying a voltage to the shock absorber fluid, it alters its viscosity and the oil can be made thicker or runnier, changing the damping characteristics within milliseconds.

Safety -

The body of the new 2007 TT Roadster is made from 58 percent aluminium and 42 percent steel and builds on the principles of Audi Space Frame (ASF) technology, which features a pioneering hybrid construction that showcases the brand's tremendous expertise in lightweight and strong design. This material mix makes the Roadster extremely light, with the 2.0 TFSI model weighing just 1,295 kilograms when unladen.

To ensure that the load is distributed evenly between the axles, the steel components are located principally at the rear of the body – the bulkhead behind the passenger compartment, for example, is made from steel. This particular component, which anchors the high-strength roll-over bars with their elegant plastic covering, has a fundamental role to play in the body's overall rigidity.

Audi has promised a full ensemble of restraint systems to ensure open top driving is not putting drivers at a greater risk. In the event of an impact from the side, aluminium beams and padding in the doors are called into action along with the head and thorax side airbags. Two-stage full-size airbags and the Audi backguard system are on hand to limit the consequences of a collision from the front and rear respectively. Extruded aluminium in the floor of the vehicle also increases the cars rigidity, because with a roof the car must be reinforced to avoid it flexing.

Interior -

Audi says the interior of the TT Roadster is noticeably larger than the first generation model, offering extra headroom and elbow room. The width at shoulder height is now 1362mm, an increase of 29 mm. Deep-set sports seats provide firm lateral support for both the driver and passenger and the standard-specification leather sports steering wheel features a flat-bottomed rim for easier entry and exit to and from the vehicle. The three circular air outlets and the dome shrouding the instrument cluster dials inject the cockpit with characteristic TT flair and as is to be expected of an Audi, the ergonomic concept is near perfection and the workmanship of a high standard. Also, the increase in the body's dimensions has also benefited luggage space, which has expanded from 210 to 250 litres in both the front-wheel-drive and the quattro variant.

Features -

Audi believes that all variants of the new Audi TT Roadster come generously equipped as standard, with the specification including the new "chorus" audio system and a driver information system, and in the 3.2 quattro, automatic air conditioning is standard - just hit the 'auto' button and the car decides whether to cool or heat the cabin based on external temperatures. 

There is also a choice of two optional navigation systems says Audi, both DVD-based and featuring the exemplary MMI operating logic. Universal mobile phone preparation and the resonant Bose surround-sound system are also available as cost options. 

Customers who lead a healthy, active lifestyle are also able to opt for a load-through facility in the rear panel, which includes a ski bag which is large enough to accommodate two pairs of skis up to 1.90 m in length – something which no other model in the roadster segment is able to offer says Audi. Xenon plus headlights with the adaptive light cornering function can also be found on the extensive list of equipment options, which are fitted in conjunction with a headlight styling package that Audi includes as standard on the 3.2 quattro.

Related articles:
- Audi TT Coupé
- Audi TT Coupé S line