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Audi TT and TTS - Study trip

Name: Audi TT 1996
Brand: Audi

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Created on May 17, 2023

Text:

Daniel Reinhard

Photos:

Wolfgang Drehsen

Audi AG

Wolfgang Drehsen

Audi AG

Audi TT Prototype (1996) - Coupé and Roadster in California

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Audi TT prototype (1996) - In contrast to many other studies, the TT and TTS were ready to drive right from the start

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Audi TT Prototype (1996) - A direct comparison reveals many small differences between the Coupé and Roadster

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Audi TT prototype (1996) - The large tailgate turns the closed TT into an estate coupé

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Audi TT prototype (1996) - The missing triangular window behind the door is the biggest difference to the later production coupé

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Audi TT prototype (1996) - Arrival in a closed van

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - A unique sight: Roadster rear end without spoiler

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Audi TT prototype (1996) - Interestingly, the older coupé study was closer to series production than the subsequent roadster

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Audi TT prototype (1996) - For the photos with Ingolstadt license plates

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - Near-series front view. Only the exterior mirrors have been revised

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - With central locking wheels, five-point seat belts and side air outlets, the roadster study is decidedly sporty

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Audi TT Prototype (1996) - Clubsport package with a difference: Coupé and TTS in front of the golf course

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Audi TT prototype (1996) - with 210 hp, the open TTS should actually be able to drive away from the 150 hp Coupé

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - Leather steering wheel with orange-red rim and yellow topstitching

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - Aluminum rings are a recurring element and can be found on the steering wheel, air vents and center console

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - The naked gearshift was fitted with a sleeve for series production. The knee pads on the console strut were allowed to remain

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - seat bolsters with oversized stitching like on a baseball glove

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - five-point seat belts were a sporty detail, but hardly suitable for series production

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - For the series, the bright blood orange was replaced by a tamer light brown

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - The roll bars are reminiscent of the Shelby Cobra

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - Brushed door sills. Unfortunately, the name "TTS" did not make it into series production

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - Even the rear lights, which appear identical at first glance, differ from the series parts

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - Smooth flank, recessed door handle and filigree mirror base

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - Internally ventilated disc brakes. The central locking wheels were reserved for the Roadster study

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - five-valve four-cylinder with 210 hp in the Roadster

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Audi TTS prototype (1996) - As in the NSU namesake, the engine sits transversely, but here at the front

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Audi TT Coupé - Design sketch of the rear end

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Audi TT (1998) - The Coupé as it went into series production in the fall of 1998

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Audi TT (1998) - Ferühes production coupé still without rear spoiler

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Summary

In 1996, two Audians saw the light of day for the very first time with the Indians. Two years before the Audi TT went into series production in the fall of 1998, the two prototypes were allowed to take to the public tarmac in California for the first time and present themselves to a photographer. In this article about the development of the Audi TT, we show the historical footage, which clearly shows that the TT remained true to itself when it went into series production.

This article contains the following chapters

The prototypes
The production model
The technology
The Roadster

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In the late summer of 1994, the platform for the latest Group models - the Audi A3 and the VW Golf lV - was finally defined. In addition to a large team assigned to the two series models, a small team in VW's advanced design studio in California began to look for other new products for this platform. "We started with a roadster at the end of September without thinking about its realization," said project manager Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, describing the first phase, "We wanted to build a car that we would all enjoy." The first design came from Freeman Thomas. "At some point, someone came up with the idea of a baseball," says Head of Design Peter Schreyer. "What fascinated us about the catcher's glove was the quality of the leather and the expressiveness of the cross-stitch." Interior designer Romulus Rost began designing seats based on the glove pattern.

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