The new shape of the Audi TT is well known by now, but the boys and girls at Ingolstadt have delayed debuting the drop-top version until after the coupe has settled into the marketplace. Winding Road has posted pictures of a TT roadster out on a quiet drive that's been caught by the spy camera's eye, and we can see the soft canvas top Audi's going with in lieu of a retractable hard top. The coupe's silhouette is also clearly in tact. Perhaps more interesting are the accompanying shots on Winding Road of the TT-S, or TT S-line as it may end being called. This high-po version of the TT is said to be powered by a version of the turbocharged 2.0-liter four from the Audi A3 developing about 180 horsepower. The larger tire and wheel combination on the TT-S also looks more appropriate for the car than the base rubber and fills out the fenders nicely. A DSG transmission will likely be offered, but we hope Audi addresses the mushy clutch and shifter of the A3's manual transmission before it enters the TT-S. They're also reporting the possibility of a TT-RS in the works, which would feature a 2.5-liter five-cylinder and generate upwards of 350 horsepower. Either way, the TT coupe won't be alone in showrooms for long.
[Source: Winding Road]
Spy Shots: Nissan 370Z again, with interior shots
2010 Mazda3 unveiled ahead of LA Auto Show
Spy Shots: Nissan 370Z caught undisguised
GM on Corvette ZR1 cancellation rumor: "Not true."
Follow the Audi Mileage Marathon starting Monday morning
Knight Rider: The Liveblog -- Season 1, Episode 3
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3, return of the "hummer"
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Chevy Corvette Z06
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
Paris 2008: Le Day 1 Wrapup
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gkz @ Sep 25th 2006 4:09PM
Autoblog - I'll take a wild guess that you don't really mean "1"80 HP for the TT-S
DPC car videos @ Sep 25th 2006 4:25PM
The RS4 type wheels on the white TT looks great, hope they make it on the production car.
Don T. @ Sep 25th 2006 4:27PM
180hp?? Waaahoooo, can't wait to get my hands on that. It might outrun a Celica GT-S.
Sean C @ Sep 25th 2006 4:34PM
Only 180HP.... Wow, what a bargain!
And I think the older version looks better, personally.
supercars @ Sep 25th 2006 4:39PM
I think 180hp are enought for it's dimension and for it's weight.
Tom @ Sep 25th 2006 4:40PM
Read the info after the jump. Describes the engine for the TT-S as generating 280hp, not 180.
Sammy B @ Sep 25th 2006 4:53PM
Depending upon how much work has been done to the engine, this is an excellant indication of how sturdy the 2.0T really is. Tuners have already started hitting numbers around 250 and 280, but to have Audi produce those numbers itself and slap a warranty on it indicates how sturdy the engine is. It leads me to wonder why you would buy the V6 when there is an infinitely more tuneable engine for less money. (And yes I know it would void the warranty). Put this light engine together with the more rearward power bias of the upcoming audi models and you have a winner.
On a more relevant tangent, I would not be surprised if we never see the TT-S, as it would cannibalize the sales of the V6. Just as we will never see the A3 S-line that has a similarly juiced up engine.
chuck goolsbee @ Sep 25th 2006 5:09PM
Any news or mention of the TDI offering in a roadster?
I want a drop-top TDI.
--chuck
avixe @ Sep 25th 2006 6:13PM
Seems likely the hopped-up 2.0 would come out of the S3; it has a 265-bhp variant.
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/audi-hatches-the-new-s3/
MikeW @ Sep 25th 2006 7:26PM
Where is the 3.6 VR6? A nice equalize dual exhaust. Sometime it is about the quality of speed, not just quantity.