Audi AG: Audi TT Roadster 2007

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Audi AG: Audi TT Roadster 2007

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Sheer sportiness, high power reserves plus a stirring driving experience – cue the new TT Roadster from Audi. The open-top two-seater, available in two engine versions, has retained all the strengths of its successful predecessor and added even more emotion, performance and dynamism. It is a sports car built to appeal to all the senses.

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The exterior design

The design of the first TT Roadster has already acquired a remarkable timelessness by virtue of its classical purity and strictly geometrical orientation. Audi has retained the genetic code of the formal idiom and carefully honed it for the new model.

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Compared to the predecessor model, the new TT Roadster has grown above all in length and width, its altered proportions underscoring its dynamically sporty character. The open-top two-seater measures 4,178 millimetres in length (+ 137 mm, and it is 1,842 mm wide (+ 78 mm) but only 1,358 mm high (+ 8 mm). The wheelbase has increased to 2,468 mm (+ 46 mm). With the hood up, the drag coefficient of the 2.0 TFSI is a mere 0.32 – proof indeed of the high functional quality of its design.

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In contrast to the new TT Coupé, with its flat, flowing C-posts, the hood of the TT Roadster creates a marked contrast with the tail end of the body, making the overall appearance much more geometrical – entirely in keeping with the style of its predecessor.

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This impression is underscored by the athletic and muscular curves of the vehicle's flanks and the rising dynamic line above the sill area, as well as the taut shoulder line. The tank cap above the rear right wheel is made from aluminium, in the classic manner.

The front end of the new TT Roadster conveys an impression of resoluteness. Wing-shaped plastic elements are embedded into the slanted, sharply tapered headlights to emphasise the three-dimensional depth of the lamp units. At the rear, the tubular reflectors appear to be suspended freely inside the rear lights; the exhaust system's large tailpipes and the wide diffuser are other striking features of the face end. As on the Coupé, the TT Roadster has an electrically powered spoiler that is extended when the speed reaches 120 km/h and which further increases downforce.

The soft top

In classic Audi tradition, the new TT Roadster likewise has a fabric top – a decision which was made consciously. The soft top fits in perfectly with the philosophy of purist open-top motoring and also offers a number of practical benefits over a folding steel hard top.

The low weight is a vital advantage that promotes sporty driving. The fabric top, incorporating reinforcements made from steel and aluminium as well as a large glass rear window, reduces the overall weight of the TT Roadster and lowers its centre of gravity.

The soft top, available in the colours black and dark grey, blends in ideally with the design approach and occupies very little space when folded up and stowed away. 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 TT Roadster 3.2 quattro comes as standard with a fully automatic electro-hydraulically powered soft top, which is available for the 2.0 TFSI as an option. In response to a brief push of the button, the soft top opens in no more than 12 seconds, including on the move up to the German urban speed limit – a huge practical advantage for urban driving. The fully automatic soft top has an integral additional acoustic mat beneath the black headlining; this further improves on its already very good acoustic and thermal insulation.

The manual soft top features a driver-operated central catch. A mesh wind deflector is available for both engine versions (standard on the TT Roadster 3.2 quattro), to reduce the airflow for the driver and passenger. It is extended and retracted electrically – none of the TT Roadster's competitors are able to boast a similarly customer-friendly concept.

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The interior

The interior of the TT Roadster has likewise grown noticeably in size, offering extra headroom and elbow room. The width at shoulder height is now 1,362 mm, an increase of 29 mm. Deep-set sports seats provide particularly good lateral support for both the driver and passenger.

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The standard-specification leather sports steering wheel features a flat-bottomed rim, as on the new R8 mid-engine sports car. The option of chennai brown Impulse leather trim with its distinctive topstitching already attained cult status when it was offered for the outgoing model; it is one of four different leather trim packages. The 3.2 quattro is upholstered in a combined Alcantara/Leather trim as standard; there are also three leather packages to choose from.

The three circular air outlets and the dome shrouding the instrument cluster dials inject the driving area with characteristic TT flair. The ergonomic concept is consistent and the finish of superb quality – both typical hallmarks of an Audi.

The larger overall body dimensions have also benefited the luggage compartment. It has grown to a generous capacity of 250 litres, on both the front-wheel-drive 2.0 TFSI model and the 3.2 quattro version.

The body and safety

As with the TT Coupé, Audi has opted for Audi Space Frame technology for the body of the new TT Roadster. In this instance, the ASF principle has evolved into a forward-looking composite structure that brings together the brand's considerable expertise in lightweight construction. The body is made from 58 percent aluminium and 42 percent steel. This intelligent mix reduces the overall weight – when unladen, the 2.0 TFSI weighs just 1,295 kilograms.

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Thanks to the composite construction, the developers have been able to distribute the axle loads of the new TT Roadster perfectly. Steel components are therefore used towards the rear of the body.

The side sills likewise differ from their counterparts in the TT Coupé, though only on the inside – they are made from extruded aluminium sections with a highly complex ribbed internal structure. The A-posts have been strengthened, too, and a high-strength steel tube is integrated into the frame of the windscreen. The static torsional rigidity of the new TT Roadster surpasses its predecessor's already good figure by 120 percent. From the driver's point of view, this progress makes its presence felt in the excellent vibrational comfort and the precise handling.

A whole series of restraint systems assures maximum passive safety. In the event of impact from the side, aluminium beams and cushioning in the doors are called into action along with the head and thorax side airbags integrated into the seat backs. Two-stage full-size airbags and the Audi backguard system are on hand to limit the consequences of a collision from the front or rear.

The drivetrain

Like the TT Coupé, the new TT Roadster is available with a choice of two transversely installed petrol engines. Both combine high pulling power with impressive peak output, resulting in out-and-out sporty performance.

The four-cylinder engine directs its power to the front wheels, while the V6 powers all four wheels according to the quattro principle. Both engines are combined ex works with a sporty, precision-shifting six-speed gearbox. The innovative S tronic dual-clutch gearbox, which changes gear with lightning speed and without interrupting the power flow, is available as an option.

The four-cylinder engine that goes by the abbreviation 2.0 TFSI has a displacement of 1,984 cm3. It delivers an output of 147 kW (200 bhp) and develops 280 Nm of torque – the latter all the way from 1,800 rpm to 5,000 rpm. TFSI technology combines two modern principles in ideal fashion – it combines turbocharging with the petrol direct injection developed by Audi. The TFSI responds very directly to throttle movements and is mechanically very refined and acoustically pleasing to the ear. An international jury of automotive specialists voted it the "Engine of the Year" in both 2005 and 2006.

Equipped with the S tronic gearbox, the Audi TT Roadster 2.0 TFSI accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds and goes on to reach a top speed of 237 km/h. It consumes just 7.8 litres of fuel per 100 km on average.

The V8 engine has a displacement of 3,189 cm3. It musters 184 kW (250 bhp) and a torque of 320 Nm between 2,500 and 3,000 rpm. Thanks to its extremely narrow included angle of 15 degrees, this undersquare engine is extremely compact. Its two camshafts can be adjusted continuously for ideal cylinder filling.

The TT Roadster 3.2 quattro with S tronic sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and is capable of achieving a governed top speed of 250 km/h, delivering powerfully sonorous acoustics. It returns an average fuel consumption of 9.5 litres per 100 km.

The chassis

The sporty chassis has been fundamentally reengineered for the new TT Roadster. Its chief features are the complex four-link rear suspension, wide track widths, elastokinematics that have been heavily reworked, plus large wheels. The 2.0 TFSI rides on 16-inch factory-fitted alloy wheels, and the 3.2 quattro on 17 inch alloy wheels that can be supplied with run-flat tyres if desired.

The front suspension, which is linked to a separate subframe, has the extensively used McPherson construction that has been refined by lightweight aluminium components. The power steering, with its electromechanical assistance, has a direct ratio and operates with responsive precision.

On the four-link rear suspension, which likewise uses a subframe, the trailing links have a relatively soft configuration for reasons of comfort, to absorb the propulsive and braking forces. The three wishbones per wheel, on the other hand, are connected rigidly in order to introduce the transverse forces precisely into the body. The coil springs and shock absorbers are mounted separately from each other.

The TT Roadster is configured for self-steering behaviour that is neutral to slightly understeering, and its newly developed stabilisation program supports this characteristic by intervening subtly when the limits of handling are approached. The four disc brakes are large in dimension. If necessary, a brake assist system ensures that they build up to maximum performance as rapidly as possible.

The optional adaptive damping system Audi magnetic ride is a high-tech feature that assures the new TT Roadster an exceptional position within its segment. The driver determines at the push of a button whether the suspension response places the emphasis on comfort or dynamism. Circulating inside the shock absorber pistons is a special fluid containing microscopically small magnetic particles. If a voltage is applied to the magnetic field, prompted by a pulse which is activated by sensors, the behaviour of these particles changes. The viscosity of the fluid and therefore the damping characteristic can be adjusted within milliseconds.

Equipment

All versions of the new Audi TT Roadster leave the factory with an extensive standard specification. The standard equipment includes the new "chorus" audio system, a driver information system and, on the 3.2 quattro, an automatic air conditioning system. Optionally, there are two navigation systems to choose from. Then there is a universal mobile phone preparation and the resonant Bose surround sound system.

An extra touch of class can be added to the interior's already sophisticated and sporty ambience by opting for the extended aluminium styling package. A storage package comprising three nets and four handy compartments builds on the standard storage facilities comprising the large door pockets and the two cup holders. Sporty customers will appreciate a load-through hatch complete with ski bag for the rear bulkhead. It can accommodate two pairs of skis up to 1.90 m long – a uniquely practical feature in the roadster segment.There is also ample space for a golf bag.

There is an extensive range of options for the new TT Roadster. Xenon plus headlights that can be combined with the adaptive light cornering function can also be found on the extensive list of equipment options. They are fitted in conjunction with a headlight styling package that Audi includes as standard on the 3.2 quattro.

The new Audi TT Roadster will be appearing on the German market in spring 2007; dealers will start accepting orders before the end of this year. For all its high-tech nature, its pricing is on a similar level to the previous model: the 2.0 TFSI costs EUR 33,800, and the 3.2 quattro is priced at EUR 43,800 (incl. 19 % VAT).

November 2006

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