Even ruling out Auto Express' sources, we could make a compelling, albeit circumstantial, case for the rumor. Audi showed the four-door TT Sportback concept in 2014. The brand's head of R&D at the time, Ulrich Hackenberg, said the automaker was exploring a TT family as other vehicles in the lineup welcomed Sportback variants. TT sales have declined, although not precipitously, and the two-door sports car market is shrinking globally. Sedans are going away, vintage car nameplates are returning as crossovers, and four-door transformations known by Audi as Sportback, by BMW as Gran Coupe, and Mercedes-Benz as just Coupe, are accepted facts of life.
Oberndorfer told Car Advice, "Actually we had the idea of a TT 'family,' so to speak. Not so much anymore." It wasn't just the question of how to turn an icon into a practical offering, nor was it just Dieselgate. Oberndorfer said, "You have to concentrate more and more and think about what you can do and what you can afford." Developing gas and diesel lineups, plus a new EV brand with its lineup, isn't cheap.
The Audi exec added, "So we're quite happy with one TT at the moment." With this news, we'd imagine the little icon's fans are as well.