The TT Helped Remodel Audi’s Picture, However Its Successors By no means Lived Up To The Promise Of The Unique
The R8 is credited with boosting Audi’s picture, however that transformation said eight years earlier when the corporate launched the unique TT.
Previewed by the 1995 TT and TTS Roadster ideas, the mannequin was named after the Isle of Man’s Vacationer Trophy and was an immediate hit due to its retro-inspired styling which was designed to recall the “rounded shapes of the pre-Conflict racing automobiles and post-Conflict sedans of Auto Union.”
Wanting far sportier than any of Audi’s sedans, consumers snapped up TTs at a powerful charge. Throughout its first 12 months on sale in Europe, the corporate offered 36,836 items. The mannequin was additionally well-liked on the opposite facet of the Atlantic as consumers bought 12,027 items in 2000 and 12,523 items in 2001.
Whereas some critics dismissed the TT as a ‘hairdressers automotive,’ it was accessible with an assortment of engines producing between 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS) to 247 hp (184 kW / 250 PS). The TT was may be outfitted with quattro all-wheel drive and the corporate’s new S tronic dual-clutch transmission.
Inspired by the recognition of the unique mannequin, Audi authorized a second-generation coupe and roadster. It arrived in 2006 with a sleeker design which was criticized for not being as charismatic as its predecessor.
The redesign bought a blended response, however Audi centered on making the TT a legit sports activities automotive. As a part of this effort, the corporate launched an S variant with 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS) and an RS mannequin with 335 hp (250 kW / 340 PS). A TT RS plus arrived later with 355 hp (265 kW / 360 PS).
The third and last technology of TT was launched in 2014 and given a facelift in 2018. The redesign helped to reinvigorate gross sales, however the enhance was quick lived. Carsalesbase knowledge exhibits Audi solely offered 1,289 TT in america final 12 months and 9,943 items in Europe.
Additionally Learn: Audi Is Killing The TT, Will Substitute It With An Emotional EV
Given the declining gross sales, it’s not stunning that Audi has determined to part out the mannequin. Mercedes made an analogous determination in regards to the SLC earlier this 12 months and that’s unlucky as we’ll lose two sporty Germans at roughly the identical time.
The information isn’t solely dangerous as Audi Chairman Bram Schot has confirmed the TT will successfully get replaced by a “new emotive mannequin in the identical value vary.” It will likely be an electrical automobile, however there’s no phrase on whether or not or not the might be provided as a coupe and roadster just like the TT.
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