First Look: 2011 Audi TT and TTS

The current generation of the Audi TT has been on the market since 2007, which means it is just about due for an update, and the crew from Ingolstadt has done just that for the 2011 model year.

The standard TT 2.0T TFSI Quattro marches on with the venerable 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, Quattro all-wheel drive, and the Audi S-Tronic dual clutch gearbox. The 2.0T gets a bump in horsepower from 200 to 211, but that isn’t the big news. The 2010 model made due with 207 pound-feet of torque, but with the new Audi Valvelift System, the 2011 TT gains a massive 51 pound-feet of twist. According to Audi, 0-62 miles per hour should be dispatched in 5.6 seconds, .3 seconds faster than 2011.

The rest of the mid-cycle update looks to be standard practice; redesigned bumpers, interior trim, and new paint options.

There are no mechanical changes for the TTS, but it does receive a new grille and fog lamps.

Look for the 2011 TTS to arrive in the fall of 2010, with the 2011 TT arriving at dealers in the first quarter of 2011.

Scroll down for official Audi press release.

2011 TT and TTS PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT Quick Reference: USA Data
VERSION DATE: April 7, 2010

INFO IS SUBJECT TO CHANGES AND UPDATES PRIOR TO LAUNCH

Philosophy
• Audi TT gave Audi new credibility in performance and luxury when the concept first debuted in 1995 and with the worldwide production launch in 1998.
• While many car companies copied the original Audi TT’s style and philosophy, there were many production breakthroughs that occurred with the vehicle. One included a new laser welding technique in the rear C pillar, and another included a dual factory production system that originated at Audi headquarters in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany, and then finished at Audi’s high tech engine and production finish location in Gyoer, Hungary.
• Audi continued the evolution of the icon with the latest generation TT (launched April 2007 as a 2008 model year vehicle) and now with its product improvement for model year 2011. Staying true to the design-driven marriage of form and function, the TT offers a higher level of driving performance. Innovative performance features and options include the mixed aluminum and steel Audi Space Frame, available Audi magnetic ride damping system and S tronic dual clutch transmission capable of 0.2 second shift times. Larger in every aspect except for height, the TT offers considerable functionality amongst its competitors. The Coupe in particular offers 50/50 folding seats providing enough room to store two golf bags. The Roadster also offers a load-through facility with ski bag. Overall, the second generation TT Coupe and TT Roadster represent the next chapter of the TT story, focusing on high design inside and out, sharper performance and everyday functionality.
• The high tech aluminum/steel Audi Space Frame that all TT models are built from allows the sports car to be both larger and lighter than the previous model, while also increasing torsional rigidity. In fact, ASF allows the Roadster to be even more rigid than the previous generation coupe; the Roadster has 58% aluminum / 42% steel and is 120% more rigid than its predecessor and 188 lbs. lighter; the Coupe has 69% aluminum / 31% steel and is 50% more rigid than its predecessor, and 166 lbs. lighter.
• Since model year 2010, the entire TT line is offered exclusively with quattro all-wheel drive for superior traction and performance characteristics. The TT is the only all-wheel drive sports car in its class.
• Building on the innovations of the TT, the TTS is the top model in the TT family, delivering performance through the most powerful engine in the line-up and superior traction and control through standard quattro all-wheel drive and TTS-specific Audi magnetic ride.
• The topline TTS is the highest performing TT ever brought to market. It is a genuine sports car, with a remarkable driving experience and striking design elements. TTS represents the Audi ethos through advanced technology, high performance, high efficiency and sporty design. TTS embodies performance through innovation, passion through intelligence.
• The TTS model’s ultra efficient direct injected, turbocharged 2.0TFSI engine w/133hp per liter offers both exceptional acceleration and class leading** fuel economy, while also achieving a ULEV II emissions rating. (0-60: Coupe 4.9sec, Roadster 5.1sec; MPG: 21city/29hwy/24combined).

TTS Class Leadership
• TTS Coupe achieves high performance in acceleration and class leading combined fuel economy (0-60: 4.9sec; MPG: 24combined)
• TTS Roadster achieves high performance in acceleration and class leading** combined fuel economy (0-60: 5.1sec; MPG: 24combined)

Powertrain
• TT: 2.0 TFSI direct injection engine with S tronic dual clutch transmission and quattro AWD; launches in the first quarter of 2011 as a 2011 model year vehicle
o NEW FOR 2011: 211 hp, 258 lb-ft torque with Audi Valvelift System (2008-2010 TT 2.0T model outgoing stats were 200 hp, 207 lb-ft torque)
o Coupe: 0-100 km/h 5.6 seconds, US numbers TBD (previous 0-60: 5.9 seconds); S tronic quattro fuel econ – fuel economy TBD, available in early 2011
o Roadster: 0-60 mph or km/h TBD worldwide (previous 0-60: 6.2 seconds); S tronic quattro fuel economy TBD, available in early 2011
• TTS: 2.0 TFSI direct injection engine with S tronic dual clutch transmission and quattro AWD (Stats unchanged from 2010); TTS launches in Fall 2010 during normal model year change
o Stats: 265 hp, 258 lb-ft torque
o Coupe: 0-60 mph in manual) / 4.9 seconds; S tronic quattro fuel econ – 21/29 city/hwy, 24
o Roadster: 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds; S tronic quattro fuel econ – 21/29 city/hwy, 24
• Audi TT is in its second generation, having launched in the U.S. in April 2007 in its
current form as a 2008 model year vehicle. For model year 2011, it receives a new wheel program and mild exterior / interior updates, and a significant base engine upgrade.
• Audi is the first car company in the United States to sell 100% of its gasoline engines with FSI direct injection technology beginning with model year 2010. Audi began racing with FSI direct injection technology in 2000 at Le Mans and the American Le Mans Series with the R8 FSI prototype race car. Once this technology first became available for U.S. consumers in late 2004 with the introduction of the 2005 A6 3.2 FSI, the list of Audi vehicles with FSI direct injection technology has continued to grow.
• Audi verdict: upgraded 2011 TT 2.0 TFSI is the quickest car amongst its core German luxury competitors
o BMW Z4 sDrive30i – 0 to 60 in 6.0 seconds – 255 hp / 220 lb-ft
o Mercedes-Benz SLK 300 – 0 to 60 in 6.1 seconds – 228 hp / 221 lb-ft

Notable features
• quattro AWD standard – superior traction in all conditions, motorsports proven
• Audi magnetic ride: Highly advanced magnetorheological continuously adaptive damping system with manual Sport and Normal modes (available TT; standard TTS)
• S tronic dual clutch automatic transmission with 0.2 second shift times and Audi launch control (optimizes acceleration from a stand still)
• Sport tuned suspension system: MacPherson strut front suspension with aluminum
subframe, four-link rear suspension
• Audi navigation plus with real-time traffic (available)
• Audi music interface with iPod interface (available)
• ESP with Sport mode
• Single-frame front grill design
• Dual exhaust pipes (TT); quad exhaust pipes (TTS)
• Aluminum fuel filler cap
• Brake disc wiping that optimizes braking performance in wet or inclement weather
• SIRIUS® Satellite Radio
• HomeLink®
• Bluetooth® mobile phone interface
• Automatic power retractable rear spoiler
• TT S line package that includes aggressive front and rear bumpers, exhaust diffuser,
19-inch wheels, S line leather sport seats and interior elements
• TTS exterior: S specific exterior aluminum optic mirrors, front and rear bumpers, platinum gray single-frame grille and rear diffuser, extended rocker panels, LED daytime running lights, sport brake pads with TTS logo front, available 19” quattro GmbH wheels.
• TTS interior treatments include contrast stitching throughout, TTS badging, TTS shift-knob, driver information system with lap-timer.
• Dimensions (vs. 1999-2006 predecessor)
o Length: +5.4 inches
o Wheelbase: +1.8 inches
o Width: +3.1 inches
• 50/50 folding rear seats with room for two golf bags (Coupe)
• Load through facility with ski bag (Roadster,)
• Brushed aluminum interior trim
• Leather/Alcantara sport seats
• Race inspired, light weight, magnesium flat-bottomed leather wrapped multi-function
steering wheel with shift paddles
• Fine Nappa Leather seats (available)
• Baseball Optic Fine Nappa Leather Seats (available)
• Bose Premium Sound System, 255 watts, 12-speaker sound system including center
speaker and subwoofer (available)
• Automatic climate control system with sun sensor
• Dual cupholders in center console and power outlet

Equipment Changes for 2011 TT 2.0 TFSI quattro:
A) TT
• Chrome dual tailpipes
• Optional Audi magnetic ride with greater differentiation between ‘Sport’ & ‘Normal’ modes
• Sport button program: Modifies steering servo boost and exhaust sound
• New standard bumpers, radiator grille, fog lamp grille and fog lamps in chrome
• Additional interior aluminum optic accents including the steering wheel, center console, and door liner.
• Elegant accents are provided by rings, frames, and strips in high-gloss black.
• Aluminum strip above the glove box door is now brushed grey.
• Two new exterior colors for USA include nougat brown, titanium gray, and garnet red.
• Optional Fine Nappa leather is now thermal resistant; reducing the temperature of the seating upholstery up to 68 degrees Fahrenheit

C) TTS
• New grille, fog lamp grille in honeycomb optic, fog lamps and horizontal cross braces in chrome

Launch Timing
• TT and TTS models are produced in both Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany, and Gyoer, Hungary. 2011 TTS goes on sale in Fall 2010, while the TT 2.0 TFSI quattro goes on sale in the first quarter of 2011.