TT: the next generation
CULT HERO SET TO JOIN ROSTER OF FULLY-ELECTRIC MODELS
Now here’s a model reinvention that no one was expecting
. . . unless you happen to be one of the Audi executives fiercely arguing in favour of the move for the past five years.
All indicators point to the likelihood that the Audi TT will be reborn as a fully electric crossover vehicle.
UK motoring outlet Auto
Express says the nextgeneration TT is already in development and will tentatively be known as the eTTron (although that seems far too whimsical to be true as far as we’re concerned).
The fourth iteration of TT will shed its low-slung coupe/ roadster blueprint in favour of a jacked-up crossover stance. And, silly nameplate or not, it is apparently set to join the carmaker’s roster of fullyelectric models.
The TT, despite being a cult hero, has been in decline for some time. Year to date, Audi has managed to shift only 8756 coupe versions and a mere 3362 roadsters worldwide. That’s a blip in comparison to bigger sellers such as the Q2, Q5 and even the hefty Q7.
Clearly a desire to keep the TT as sporty as possible still remains, if the renders (albeit unofficial ones) that we have seen are anything to go by. In morphing into compact crossover SUV territory, the TT will add internal space (seating for four or five), which will increase its wheelbase, too.
Its silhouette might mirror that of an S5 Sportback, so it will be a challenge for Audi’s designers to keep any essence of the TT of old in the picture. On the plus side, with dedicated electric motors onboard, pundits believe the so-called eTTron will have as much power on tap as the current TT RS, if not more.
It’s an interesting advent and with plenty of RS finery still in the stable, Audi clearly feels it can sacrifice its smallest sportscar in favour of what is on-trend. Mind you, where the bottom line is concerned — let alone the desire for big manufacturers to shift to electric power — they might not have much of a choice.