AbgTutor dot Com: SPIED: 2015 Audi TT benchmarked against RCZ, SLK

Monday, 21 October 2013

SPIED: 2015 Audi TT benchmarked against RCZ, SLK

Our vigilant European spies have sent us these photos of a fully camouflaged 2015 Audi TT out in the open, travelling in a close convoy with a bunch of current TT coupes and its closest rivals, the Peugeot RCZ and Mercedes-Benz SLK. On-road evaluations and benchmarking programmes must be in order.

First, the obvious point. The third-generation TT looks remarkably similar to the model it’s set to replace in 2015 or late next year, retaining the signature silhouette and basic proportions of Audi’s style-driven coupe. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, really, considering that its appearance has been the TT’s strongest suit over two generations now.

New to the fold appear to be a more angular front end, featuring smaller and sharper headlamps. Take a look at Audi’s two most recent design studies – the Nanuk and Sport Quattro concepts – to have an idea of the company’s future family look. Also, expect the next TT to have a sharp-edged hexagonal grille already previewed on the TT ultra quattro concept.

To be built on Volkswagen Group’s flexible MQB platform, the 2015 Audi TT promises to be lighter and more dynamic than before. More power from a similar range of petrol and diesel engines and a choice of front-wheel drive or quattro drivetrains are a given. A 180 hp 1.8 litre TFSI should form the baseline model, followed by 2.0 litre TFSI and TDI variants with 220 hp and 150 hp respectively.

The existing TT-S and TT-RS high-performance models should be replaced too. The former will have the 300 hp 2.0 litre turbo engine already used in the Volkswagen Golf R Mk7 and Audi S3 at its disposal, while the quattro GmbH-developed RS model will share its mechanicals with the upcoming near-360 hp RS 3 Sportback.