The Audi TT: An Instant Classic

When the first Audi TT made its European debut in 1998, the stars seemed to be in perfect alignment and an iconic sports car was born. Now, sixteen years after that momentous occasion, the third-generation TT stands poised to carry on the tradition.


At the introduction, the original was considered a daring design. A bold, geometric styling, the TT stood out from everything at the time, establishing a reputation as a revolutionary, a truly radical vehicle. Keeping this in mind, the Audi design team worked to keep that spirit alive in the latest incarnation of the TT as they reshaped the icon.


The first impression will be the strong horizontal lines that dominate the front. The new, broader Singleframe® grille flatters the face of the TT, grabbing for immediate attention. The signature four rings have been relocated to the hood, an inspiration taken from the R8. Taking in the rest of the vehicle, you’ll no doubt pick up on influences from the first generation, such as front wheel arches that extend up past the hood line, morph across the doors into a distinctive line that are dubbed the Tornado line, then grace back to the tail. There are subtler details that pay homage to the original such as the fuel filler door, surrounded by socket screws.


One beautiful added element didn’t need to look to the past for inspiration, however: LED lighting. The new TT features distinct LED daytime running lights that not only provide brilliant pinpoints to the complete design, but helps ensure that the TT is visible to other cars on the road.


The interior is just as impressive and features some dramatic changes. The dashboard, inspired by the wing of an aircraft, shows off smooth, pure lines that are echoed through the rest of the vehicle. Numerous details can be found throughout that speak to the intense level of craftsmanship all Audi vehicles are known for. From the redesigned, split gear lever and the precision engagement of the MMI® rotary push button to the finely crafted speaker covers with unique light guides that come with the available Bang & Olufsen® sound system, the details make the sum of the Audi TT even greater than its parts...


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