In September 1995, Audi presented the TT Coupé at the Frankfurt Motor Show, a design study whose name evoked the legendary Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. The production of the serial model was quickly tested, after a few months.

“For us, the greatest praise was when the special press noted with appreciation that little had changed between the study and the production model, although of course we had to adapt many details due to the technical characteristics of the production version, including the proportions”– recalls Thorsten Wenzel, Audi’s exterior designer.

Audi TT: the first sports generation

In 1998, Audi began serial production first generation (Type 8N) withAudi TT Coupe, and next year – TT Roadster. The model is based on the platform of the Volkswagen Golf IV and the Audi A3 and is produced at the Audi plant in Hungary, which was originally designed as an engine plant before being converted into a factory full-fledged car.

Under the hood were four-cylinder turbo engines with a capacity of 150 to 225 horsepower, as well as a 250-horsepower V6. In addition to exclusive exterior colors such as Papaya Orange or Nogaro Blue, customers could choose special equipment for their Audi TT, such as the Audi TT Roadster’s “baseball glove” leather seats. In general, 178,765 copies of the Audi TT Coupé the first generation was produced until 2006, as well as 90,733 Audi TT Roadster units.

Over the next two generations, Audi radically optimized the design of the TT, keeping the round and circular shapes both outside and inside. They can be found, for example, on the aluminum fuel cap, the round air vents, the base of the gear lever or even the gear lever knob.

Audi TT: two more modern next generations

Still based on the Audi A3, this time the second generation second generation The Audi TT (type 8J) was launched in 2006 as a coupe, followed by a roadster in 2007. For the first time, the model is equipped with technologies such as adaptive Audi Magnetic Ride shock absorbers, available as an option. In 2008, a sports version of the TTS was released with a 2.0-liter turbo engine producing 272 horsepower, and in 2009, the Audi TT RS with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine that developed 340 horsepower and up to 360 horses in the TT . RS Plus. To overcome the diesel wave, the 2008 model was equipped with a 2.0-liter TDI engine.

There third generation The Audi TT (type 8S) was launched in 2014 and is characterized by reduced weight and improved performance. The model features more dynamic lines reminiscent of previous generations, such as the round fuel tank cover and its profile lines. But now it introduces technological innovations such as the Audi Virtual Cockpit digital phone as well as OLED headlights.

Under the hood, we found, in particular, in the Audi TTS a 2-liter turbo engine with a capacity of 310 horsepower, or in the Audi TT RS a five-cylinder 2.5-liter turbo engine with a capacity of 400 horsepower, which was chosen as the “International Engine of the Year” several times . This year, the German manufacturer is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the TT, while celebrating the end of the career of this irreplaceable modelwith a special Audi TT RS Coupé Iconic Edition limited to just 100 examples, including 10 for France.