With the TT clubsport quattro, Audi’s designers intend to demonstrate the potential of the 2nd generation TT, by creating a concept car driven by the “pure driving machine” concept.
The TT clubsport quattro is having its world premiere at the 26th Wörthersee Tour, which takes place in Wörthersee, Austria from 16 to 20 May 2007.
According to Audi’s official release, “the possible small-series
production of this model is being considered.”
Exterior Design
The TT clubsport quattro has no hood and no A-posts. An extremely low wraparound windscreen deliberately evokes the speedster concept.
The flat, slightly tinted window strip surrounds the cockpit.
The
panoramic windscreen and the two humps located behind the interior in place of
the hood compartment are reminiscent of classic racing cars.
The rollover bars are kept flatter and at the same height as the sports
bucket seats.
The front end is dominated by the large air
inlets and the single-frame grille which has aluminium
inserts to give its design a horizontal emphasis, which makes the car appear even flatter than it already is.
The four rings of the logo are not
located in the grille as on most Audi models, but on the bonnet.
The rear bumper is characterized by the visible stainless steel silencer,
while the blade underneath underscores the vehicle’s sporty
character.
The dual-branch exhaust system with its oval tailpipes reminds Audi production models such as the RS 4.
There is a deliberate lack of visual interruptions in the side line, accented by the absence of door handles: the TT clubsport quattro is opened by remote
control.
The muscular appearance is underlined by enlarged wheel arches, the 20-inch wheels with tyres of size
265/30 R20 and the track width, increased by 80 millimetres.
The size of the two
exterior mirrors has also been minimised.
The exterior design features dark shades of grey, with the car being painted in Daytona Grey, a colour that Audi used for the first time on the
RS 4 and the S8, which forms a
contrast with the metallic elements, with the grille and side grille in Gun Metal.
A strong visual contrast is provided by the many orange-colored details, from the brake callipers to interior elements such
as the instrument cowl, the armrest and on the back of the bucket seats.
Interior design
As well as the exterior, the interior design was driven by the research for purism. It features racing bucket seats with four-point belts that are three inches
width.
Many details are made of aluminum, a typical characteristic of Audi: from the spokes of the steering wheel, to the grooved structured pedals and foot rests, to the gear lever gate adopted from the R8,
and the gear knob.
Aluminium is also
used for the door pull and the door opener, both of which are cut-out, a feature
which further underlines the interior’s purist character.
The sill area has also been restyled compared with the production model. Rather
than being interrupted by a sill strip, it now emphasises the width of the car.
The
new door sill trim is located further inside the car, with the floor mats sporting
the TT logo as an aluminium inlay.
The
surrounding strip on the top shoulder is also made of aluminum.
In the field of entertainment, the central among the three round air vents integrates an interface which controls
the B&O MP3 player BeoSound 2, which fits exactly into the circular opening.
The instrument cluster is very different from the one in a production model.
The vertical needles and colour graphics are the eye-catching features.
The clock and
odometer have been omitted in keeping with the car’s underlying purist
philosophy.
The
black leather seat has a laser
pattern worked into it: it was specially designed for the TT clubsport
quattro and plays on the TT logo.
Technical Features
The racing character of the Audi TT clubsport quattro is underscored by new technical features. Thanks to a modified intake manifold, the turbocharged 2.0 TFSI engine now delivers more than 300 hp, compared to the standard 260 hp of the production S3.
The dual
clutch, 6 speed S tronic direct-shift gearbox can be operated both in automatic and manual mode, with gearshifts taking just
fractions of a second.
The engine compartment looks extremely clean, thanks to a lack
of cables and auxiliaries. Anyway, the unit has not been hidden under a cover.
The cross brace running
above the engine not only makes the car more
rigid, but also contains the coolant expansion tank. The ABS system has been
moved from the engine compartment to the interior.
Other technical highlights include a new tuned exhaust system, a racing air filter and ceramic brakes.
The absence of the air conditioning system and standard
activated charcoal filter underline the minimalistic and sporty character of the car.
About the Wörthersee Tour
The Wörthersee Tour, better
known as the “GTI Meet”, has become a magnet for high-performance
enthusiasts and fans of the Audi and VW brands, with more than 200,000 visitors and around 50,000 vehicles expected for the 2007 edition.
(Source: Audi)
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