Audi introduces TT swansong to showrooms

AUDI Australia has kicked off the farewell tour for the soon-to-be-discontinued TT sportscar with the release of its facelifted 45 TFSI and S coupe variants, which both offer more bang for your buck than before.

Front-wheel-drive – and therefore six-speed manual – versions of the 45 TFSI (previously known as 2.0 TFSI) have been axed, with the entry-level variant now exclusively offered with the German brand’s quattro all-wheel-drive system.

As such, the simplified TT range now starts from $79,900 plus on-road costs, which is $5200 higher than before, although the equivalent 45 TFSI version is actually $1255 more affordable.

Similarly, the S is now $1955 cheaper, at $99,900.

As before, both variants are motivated by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, tuned to produce 169kW/370Nm in the 45 TFSI and 210kW/380Nm in the S.

A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is now standard for both versions.

The 45 TFSI sprints from standstill to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds, while the S is 0.6s quicker to triple digits.

However, the former is more fuel efficient than the latter on the combined-cycle test, claiming 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres versus 7.0L/100km.

Aside from tweaked exterior styling, the new TT ushers in more standard equipment, with Audi Australia claiming that 45 TFSI and S offer more than $5000 and $8500 of additional value respectively.

Extra features in the 45 TFSI include LED headlights, auto-folding side mirrors, rear scrolling indicators and wireless smartphone charging.

The S also adds metallic paintwork, red brake callipers, a 680W Bang & Olufsen sound system with 12 speakers, heated front seats and Fine Nappa leather upholstery.

Both versions come with a suite of advanced driver-assist systems that extend to lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, cruise control, a manual speed limiter, a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors.

Two options packages are available, including the $7990 S line sport package (19-inch alloy wheels, an S line body kit, a premium sound system, front S sports seats and aluminium interior trim) for the 45 TFSI and the $4900 S performance package (Matrix LED headlights, auto-dimming side mirrors, high-gloss black exterior trim, extended leather upholstery and park assist) for the S.

Pulse Orange and Turbo Blue are new paintwork options for both variants, while the 45 TFSI also comes with the choice of Cosmos Blue.

GoAuto has contacted Audi Australia to see if and when the TT’s Roadster body style will return to its model line-up. As reported, the full-fat RS flagship is expected in showrooms before the end of this year.

As reported, Audi AG chairman of the board of management Bram Schot confirmed in May that the TT will not enter a fourth generation, with it to be replaced by an all-electric sportscar.

An end date for the production run of the current, third-generation TT, which was revealed in March 2014, is still yet to be set, although it is expected to be locked in for early next decade.

Sales of the TT have taken a significant hit this year in the lead up to the facelifted model’s release, with just 28 examples sold to the end of August – an 80.1 per cent decrease over the 141 deliveries made during the same period in 2018.

The TT is 12th best-selling model in the $80,000-200,000 sportscar segment, trailing key rivals including the BMW Z4 (97 units) and Jaguar F-Type (81) as well as Porsche’s Cayman (92) and Boxster (65).