A couple of years ago the idea of a crossover model based on the Audi TT would’ve been construed as nonsensical. But with the public’s growing interest in the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLA, the Ingolstadt-based firm has now decided to hint at an upcoming rival in the shape of the Audi TT Offroad Concept.
Based on the recently revealed third-generation TT, the Audi TT Offroad Concept isn’t a massive aesthetic departure from the coupé. Jacked-up ride height aside, the most interesting aspect is hinted at by the ‘e-tron’ decals plastered on the grey plastic lower-body cladding.
This denotes a hybrid powertrain based on a 215 kW/380 N.m version of the company’s long-serving 2,0-litre, direct-injection turbopetrol bolstered by a brace of electric motors developing a further 85 kW and 270 N.m of torque. This equates to overall outputs of 300 kW and 650 N.m of torque – good for a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 5,2 seconds on the way to an electronically –limited 250 km/h top speed.
This setup also allows the Audi TT Offroad Concept to travel up to 31 miles or attain speeds of up to 130 km/h on electric power alone. Audi claims a very optimistic fuel consumption figure of 1,9 litres/100 km (good for a theoretical operating range of 880 km) and CO2 emissions of just 45 g/km.
Although the powertrain is essentially an all-wheel drive layout, the Audi TT Offroad Concept’s ride height is 80 mm lower than that of the Q5, pretty much precluding anything other than a spot of gravel roading.
“The Audi TT Offroad Concept provides a glimpse of how we might imagine a new model in the future TT family,” says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of Audi’s board of management for technical development. “combining the sporty genes of the TT with the strengths of a compact Audi SUV.”
Given Audi’s knack for filling (or creating) every conceivable automotive niche under the sun, it’s fair to say that the TT Offroad Concept will likely get the green light for production within the next couple of years.
