As inspiration for the TT Sportback concept, Audi looked both into its past and to the future. The 4-cylinder sports car is actually a fusion of the five-door A5 and A7 Sportbacks but also combines elements of the classic TT. The new TT Sportback – in distinctive Mars red body color – was unveiled this week at the Paris Motor Show.
At the core of the TT Sportback concept is a 2.0 TFSI engine with 400 hp (294 kw), connected to a 7-speed S tronic transmission and all part of the famed quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Thanks to a body made with steel and lightweight aluminum parts, the TT Sportback has a low center of gravity and gets up to 100 km/h from zero in 3.9 seconds. The concept is a bit larger in every measurement than the production TT: 11.4 inches longer, 2.4 inches wider, 1.2 inches taller and with a 4.7 inch larger wheelbase.
One of Audi’s most unique new innovations is the LED high beam. On the TT Sportback, it’s accompanied by a laser high-beam spot featuring several laser diodes that illuminate for several hundred meters when activated at 37.3 mph (60 km/h). The spot provides additional lighting for increased driver safety, while a camera detects and blanks out other motorists, according to Audi.
The TT Sportback chassis includes McPherson system-based front suspension that, combined with aluminum parts, reduce the chassis weight. The four-link rear suspension processes longitudinal and transverse forces separately. The TT Sportback sits on a 21-inch wheels with 255/30 tires, with four brake discs in 18-inch format. The chassis also includes Audi’s Electronic Stabilization Control for smoother handling.
As the driver and passenger enter the Audi TT Sportback concept, they’ll notice the frameless window manes and an interior whose fit Audi compares to “precision of a sporty suit.” The interior is truly awe-inspiring with its “virtual cockpit” that replaces physical displays. A 12.3-inch display is at the heart of the dashboard, and can be viewed sharply at different angles.
The TT Sportback concept’s fuel consumption is also lower than A5 and A7 Sportback concepts, registering between 31.3 – 56.0 US mpg and generating CO2 emissions between 280.0 – 177.0 g/mi.
Photo Credit: Audi
