The Audi TT is a firm favourite in the UK and has been topping the sales charts in its sector year-on-year. Today, we take a look at the history behind Audi’s iconic sports car.
The first concepts of the TT were shown to the world’s media at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show, but didn’t actually hit the showrooms until 1998. Unfortunately, the early days of the model saw a series of very serious, fatal accidents when the car was driven at high speed. Most notably during sudden lane changes or sharp turns. All of the early cars were recalled in late 1999/early 2000 so that suspension modifications could be made, as well as the introduction of an electronic stability program (ESP) and rear spoiler.
The first generation TT was based upon Volkswagen’s PQ34 platform, the same platform we saw in the 4th Generation Volkswagen Golf and brand new Audi A3 8L. It was offered with two petrol engines, a 1.8 litre turbocharged engine, found in the Golf GTI, as well as a 3.2l V6. It was also offered with front wheel drive as well as Audi’s Quattro four wheel drive system. Volkswagen’s ‘DSG’ gearbox was then launched with the model in 2003, which promised much faster gear changes than what had been seen with automatics at the time, thanks to having two clutches.
The TT soon became more of a fashion statement than the driver’s car that people had hoped for. The stereotypical driver for a TT was a blow-dried salesman, trying to make a statement in the company car park. Although it was raced in the DTM, the German Touring Car Championship, it still was unable to shake off this image. However, in 2006, the second generation TT came along, with a hope to change this image. Again, based on the same platform on the Golf, this time, the 5th Generation, the recipe was very similar but like many VW Group products, this is all it needed.
The new TT was a little bit longer and wider than it’s predecessor. This made it more stable during high speed driving. This was also the first time the TT would see a specific ‘sports’ model, the TTRS. Although it was a much better car to drive, even in standard form, it still couldn’t hang onto the benchmark for driving pleasure that had been set by its German rivals at BMW and Porsche.
The second-generation TT was also the first time that a diesel engine would be featured in the model. At the time, many people questioned this decision by Audi, but it actually made a lot of sense and opened the car up to a whole new market. The 2l diesel engine produced around 170bhp and was paired up to Audi’s Quattro system, so provided plenty of performance for many but with the added benefits that a diesel engine would offer, in the form of cheaper tax and improved fuel economy.
This generation TT, also known as the TT 8J, won a huge number of awards over its 8 year lifespan. It won the 2006 Top Gear Coupe of the Year, 2006 Fifth Gear Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year 2007. In 2019, it won yet another award from iSeeCars as the longest-lasting sports car, with an estimated lifespan of 150,000 miles. After some research on the popular car sales site, AutoTrader, I managed to track down a clean example with 201,000 miles. Quite an achievement, really!
In 2014, the TT entered its third-generation. Again, the same format. Based on the Volkswagen Golf, this time, the 7th Generation. The manufacturing process was simplified this time round, with less engines to choose from – but a more efficient manufacturing process. A large focus was towards the changing needs of customers, who in recent years, have pushed more towards new technology in cars. So, this car has really focused on driver ergonomics, and the technology that is available to the user, which includes a whole host of driving aids, and a new form of digital instrument called ‘Virtual Cockpit’.
Audi have announced that to celebrate 20 years of the TT, a special edition will be launched. Only 999 will be produced and incorporate a variety of details from the original 1995 concept. Only time will tell on exactly what this special edition will be like. But, if the car is anything like what we have seen in the past, then it will be a fantastic way to celebrate such an icon.
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