Friday 3rd October 2014

Audi TT Sportback - Paris 2014

Yes, a four-door TT. The world has officially gone mad

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People have been suggesting that Audi has had its corporate shark-jumping moment for years, but this really, really, really might be it - a four-door version of the TT. All we need now is for the next Q7 to launch with an cabriolet sister and Ingolstadt will have every single niche covered.

The Audi niche busting continues apace!

Still, cynicism aside, it's a fine-looking thing, isn't it?

Officially the TT Sportback is just another in Audi's line of TT-spun concepts - we've already had the Allroad Shooting Brake and the TT Offroad, and we're told that any (or all) of them could make production. But the company's R&D supremo, Ulrich Hackenberg, was also happy to drop some broad hints that this TT-with-practicality could make it into dealerships in the not-too-far-distant. If it did, you just know it would sell like winning lottery tickets.

As you'd expect it's slightly longer than the TT Coupe, but only 29cm and with an extra 12cm put into its wheelbase. The concept is powered by the 400hp version of Volkswagen's 2.0 litre EA888 turbo four that Audi sources suggest will be making its debut soon. The concept's interior is so close to that of the TT Coupe that if feels like a production car already.

And there's more TT news from Paris with the official unveiling of the roadster version of the third-generation car. Only the TT-S was on the stand, with a 300hp version of the 2.0 litre engine, but the standard car will launch in the UK at the same time with orders opening in November and the first cars expected to be delivered next March. Prices will start at £31,955 for the diesel-powered Ultra roadster.

 

[PistonBroker]

This would've been just the thing in the conversation I had with my old man at the weekend which started with - 'why the f#*k is there a 4-door M4 when you can get an M3?'!

[corcoran]

This has totally made my day.

• tears of laughter rolling down my face*

[moffat]

I'm not a big fan of either the TT nor Audi, but I like this.

Build a decent RS version and I will come and look, certainly better looking than the bloated A5 and dull A4.

No doubt it will come with TT premium pricing though.

[kambites]

So it's a long-wheelbase MBQ based five-door fast-back... or Skoda Octavia, as it's otherwise known.

[GTEYE]

I suppose its a kind of low roof A3 saloon. Sort of. Maybe.

Not actually a bad effort, it could have had terrible proportions.

[Chicane-UK]

I've been feeling that Audi lost the plot quite a few years ago, and dross like this only goes to reinforce that belief.

[graham22]

Silly idea but not a bad looking 4 door hatchback.

Wonder what the reaction whould have been if they simply called it the Audi Avant, no model numbers or letters just a name?

[mike-r]

Article said:

Still, cynicism aside, it's a fine-looking thing, isn't it?

Er, no? It looks fking tragic.

[Clivey]

When's the R8 monster truck due?

[anonymous-user]

PistonBroker said:

This would've been just the thing in the conversation I had with my old man at the weekend which started with - 'why the f#*k is there a 4-door M4 when you can get an M3?'!

Is there a 4 door M4? Or do I need a whoosh parrot?

[Maxus]

Can we not just get use to the fact that manufacturing techniques mean that we will see a growing number of variants of cars. Some you may like, others you wont. How can choice be a bad thing?

I'm not an Audi fan as such but I think this is a great looking car which will prove very popular.

Now over to someone to say most will be leased 2.0d's in white being driven aggressively..........

[JaguarsportXJR]

As ashamed as I am to admit it, on first glance I don't actually mind that!

[pycraft]

I'd have one. The fact is, there is a move away from 2-door coupes and 3-door hatchbacks because people aren't prepared to put up with the compromises it entails; weekend-only sportscars are lovely when they're the second or third car in the family, but in these difficult times one car has to cover a lot of bases. I've finally given in and gone four-door because getting elderly relatives in and out of the back seats of sports cars was verging on inhumane. Nature would suggest a second car would be a GTI, 135M etc but it's good to see something doing the same job whilst looking less shopping-trolley-ish.

[Elroy Blue]

I think it looks great.

[Wills2]

Inkyfingers said:

PistonBroker said:

This would've been just the thing in the conversation I had with my old man at the weekend which started with - 'why the f#*k is there a 4-door M4 when you can get an M3?'!

Is there a 4 door M4? Or do I need a whoosh parrot?

Not unless they've just announced a M4GC? But that would be quite cool.

[Crafty_]

Just waiting for the Q7 coupe now.

I make that 24 different cars Audi now sell.

[T0MMY]

pycraft said:

I'd have one. The fact is, there is a move away from 2-door coupes and 3-door hatchbacks because people aren't prepared to put up with the compromises it entails; weekend-only sportscars are lovely when they're the second or third car in the family, but in these difficult times one car has to cover a lot of bases. I've finally given in and gone four-door because getting elderly relatives in and out of the back seats of sports cars was verging on inhumane. Nature would suggest a second car would be a GTI, 135M etc but it's good to see something doing the same job whilst looking less shopping-trolley-ish.

This isn't a move away from uncompromised sportscars as it never started out as one!

I imagine most will be white 2 litre disels on lease deals anyway. Being driven aggressively no doubt.

[anonymous-user]

Why are people so bothered? If you don't like it don't buy it, if you do like it then go for it! Personally it's not my cup of tea but I do see the point. If you need a small 4 door that's a bit different from the boring rep mobiles this would defo appeal.

Long live choice

[flatso]

While they're at it they may as well build that A8 estate they teased us with about a decade ago! Now that would be a niche product that may go down well with the PH community.

[T0MMY]

MonkeyMatt said:

Why are people so bothered? If you don't like it don't buy it, if you do like it then go for it! Personally it's not my cup of tea but I do see the point. If you need a small 4 door that's a bit different from the boring rep mobiles this would defo appeal.

Long live choice

This would be a pretty dull car discussion forum if people only commented on cars they liked.