One glance is all it takes to see that the third-generation Audi TT* is a compact, muscular and powerful car. Its designers have returned to numerous ideas from the first TT and placed them in a new, multi-faceted context.

The first-generation Audi TT
When the first-generation Audi TT was launched in 1998, its design was a sensation. It adhered to the laws of geometry, with a formal consistency harking back to the Bauhaus style of the 1920s. The central motif was the circle: the arcs of the roof, the front and the rear stood in contrast to the strictly horizontal lines. This puristic and timeless architecture made the TT a modern design icon from the outset, while at the same time giving the Audi brand powerful impetus for its further development.

The exterior design of the new TT
Powerful horizontals at the front of the new TT underscore the sporty appearance. As with the R8 high-performance sports car, the Singleframe grille with its six corners is extremely broad and flat. A thick crossbar divides it into two zones. The lower edge of the headlights virtually extends this bar. Sculpted surfaces join the grille and the headlights. These small facets are typical for the design of the new TT and impart it with even greater concision.

Two contours run in the shape of a V from the upper corners of the grille across the hood, which bears the four Audi rings – another point in common with the R8*. Two vertical bars, tilted ever so slightly, are located inside the two large air intakes. A flat opening beneath the Singleframe joins the intakes together and forms the third horizontal line at the front.

The new Audi TT has a hunkered down road stance as if it were poised to pounce. Its taut, muscular character is particularly evident when viewed from the side. At 4,177 millimeters (13.7 ft), the Coupé is 21 millimeters (0.8 in) shorter than its predecessor. The wheelbase, however, grew by 37 millimeters (1.5 in) to 2,505 millimeters (8.2 ft). The overhangs are correspondingly short. Width has been reduced ten millimeters (0.4 in) to 1,832 millimeters (6.0 ft); the height remains unchanged at 1,353 millimeters (4.4 ft).

When viewed from the side, many details of the new Audi TT are intentionally reminiscent of the first-generation of the classic. The sculpted sill contour, also known as the dynamic line, together with the door forms a thick light-refracting edge; the rear corners of the door are gently rounded. The wide wheel arches form distinct geometric bodies that appear to be superimposed. The front wheel arch intersects the hood join. The join resumes above the door as the shoulder line and runs nearly horizontally to the rear, where it transitions elegantly into the tail light. The door handles are designed as thick stirrups; the side mirrors with the LED blinkers are mounted on the body’s shoulder.

In the style of the first TT, the flat greenhouse appears to be an independent unit; a slight kink in the rear side window accentuates the C-pillar. The fuel flap on the right shoulder sports the characteristic design with the embossed TT logo and opens with a light tap. There is no cap under the cover – the fuel nozzle is inserted directly into the tank neck, just like with a race car. Six bolts connect the ring of the fuel flap to the body.

At the compact rear of the new TT, the play between light and shadow intensifies the sculpted impression. Three horizontal lines – below the tail lights, below the space for the license plate and above the diffuser – underscore the width of the car here as well.

The two large, round tailpipes with their chrome tips are closely spaced and another reminiscence of the first Audi TT. The same is true of the rounded rear window, the monolithic tail lights perfectly integrated into the body, and the three-dimensional logo.

The S line exterior package makes the design of the bumpers, air intakes, Singleframe, side sills and the rear diffuser even sharper.

Distinctive design details identify the Audi TTS as the top-of-the-line model. Horizontal double struts and a TTS badge shine in the Singleframe grille with the matt Platinum Gray insert. The three air intakes in the nose are clearly separated from one another. They are framed in bold contours, and horizontal struts divide their honeycomb grilles. Aluminum-look mirror housings and strongly contoured sills accentuate the flanks, while a widened, ribbed diffuser at the rear encompasses the four exhaust tailpipes. The paint finishes Sepang Blue metallic and Panther Black crystal effect are exclusive to the TTS.

The headlight design
The flat headlights give the new TT’s face a determined look. Audi installs Xenon plus units standard. Their LED daytime running lights form a homogeneous arc at the upper edge. The turn signal is located between this arc and a horizontal design trim.

Headlights using LED or groundbreaking Matrix LED technology are available as options. The daytime running lights here have a whole new signature – the light is emitted via three struts that divide the headlights like a grille and are illuminated by light-emitting diodes illuminate via thick-wall optics for a homogeneous light pattern. The turn signal strip is located at the lower edge of the headlights. The LED headlights include the cornering, all-weather and highway lights.

The Audi TT introduces a new standard to the segment with the Matrix LED headlights. Here the high beam is broken up into twelve small light-emitting diodes per headlight. There are two reflectors for two groups of five LEDs; two LEDs use another reflector. The control unit, which communicates with a camera in the rear view mirror, switches the individual light-emitting diodes on and off or dims them in 64 steps, depending on the situation. The headlight system can produce several hundred million light patterns. It prevents other road users from being blinded by glare and ensures that the road is always brightly illuminated.

Another function of the Matrix LED headlights is the intelligent cornering light, which is created by a shift in the light center position. The control unit works together with the optional MMI navigation plus and uses the navigation data to illuminate the curve shortly before the steering wheel is turned.

In conjunction with the Matrix LED headlights, the new TT also has dynamic turning signals front and rear. When the driver activates the turn signal, individual LEDs light up sequentially from the inside out. They are all bright after 150 milliseconds and remain illuminated for another 250 milliseconds. The LEDs then go dark before repeating the lighting sequence. The high-tech turn signals send a clear signal that other road users can quickly understand even in poor visibility and from a great distance.

The tail lights, which feature LED technology standard, echo the design of the headlights. The rear light is emitted through their struts, which are made of a homogenizing polymer. The third brake light – a subtle strip on the edge of the luggage compartment cover – ties together the light silhouette at the rear.

The brake lights and rear fog lights are located in the large upper segments of the tail lights. In an emergency braking situation, the brake lights flash as a warning to drivers behind. The turn signals – which are dynamic with LED headlights or better – are located at the lower edge of the tail lights.

The equipment, data and prices specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.