With petrol prices soaring and the bitter disappointment that Audi will not put its R8 V12 TDI into production, the Ingolstadt firm has decided to bolt a diesel powerplant into the TT – a first for the svelte sportscar since its debut almost ten years ago
Audi claims that the unconventional Audi TT/TDI collaboration will combine sportiness and powerful performance with a respectable degree of efficiency. The new 2,0-litre TDI engine develops a healthy 125 kW at 4 200 r/min and 350 N.m of torque between 1 750 r/min and 2 500 r/min, but returns 5,3- and 5,5-liters of fuel per 100 km in Coupé and Roadster guises, respectively. The CO2 emissions stand at just 145 grams/km…to put that into perspective, a miniscule city car such as the 1,0-litre Citroën C1 belches out 154 grams/km.
The powerplant is mated with a manual six-speed transmissions with a short lever throw and relatively long final transmission ratios that best exploit the punchy mid-range power and fuel efficiency of the TDI engine. Audi’s all-wheel drive quattro system apportions power to all four corners according to road surface conditions and gives the Coupé the tenacious grip required to sprint from standstill to 100 km/h in 7,5 seconds on the way to a 226 km/h top speed. The Roadster completes the 0-100 km/h run in 7,7 seconds and only runs out of steam at 223 km/h .
To make the most of the power on offer and aid fuel economy, Audi has employed a number of construction measures to reduce vehicle weight. Thanks to a hybrid body construction that utilizes aluminium up front and steel componentry in the rear, the Coupé weighs only 1 370 kg, while the Roadster tips the scales at 1 415 kg.
Both models roll on 16-inch, cast aluminium wheels shod with 255/55 R16 rubber. In addition to a powerful braking system and ESP, Audi’s adaptive magnetic ride shock-absorber system is available as an option.
Standard fitments aboard both models include aluminium trim accents and a Nappa leather-bound sports steering wheel. A wide array of high-tech equipment is available as options, including the company’s audio systems, electrically adjustable front seats, cornering light system and two navigation systems with a user interface based on the Audi’s MMI system.
According to a spokesperson from Audi SA, no decision has yet been reached as to whether the TT 2,0 TDI will reach our shores.
Click here to download a wallpaper of the Audi TT 2,0 TDI.