Audi’s TT coupe and roadster predate the R8 sports car by several years, but Audi’s newest supercar may just be the inspiration for the next-generation TT. A new report indicates that Audi is considering a mid-engine layout for the next TT.
Although no decision has been made yet, World Car Fans reports that preliminary sketches of the mid-engined TT are already making their way through Audi’s headquarters. Audi engineers were quite pleased with the handling characteristics achieved in the mid-engined R8, and are looking to bring that balance and performance to the R8’s little sibling.
However, even if the mid-engine TT is given the green light, it likely won’t hit the market until 2013. But with Porsche’s move to purchase Volkswagen – Audi’s parent company – it remains unclear if the mid-engine TT will ever see the light of day. With Porsche already offering the Cayman and Boxster, the German automaker could decide that a mid-engine TT is too close to its current offerings and cancel the entire program, leaving the TT with its familiar front engine layout.
07/25, 2:45 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
So does this mean that there would finally be a difference between the GTi and the TT? I mean right now they are practically the same thing. Or would this make the TT part of that VW/Audi/Porsche rear-engine car trio that I read about on here a few days ago?
07/25, 2:49 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
A mid-engine layout would cure the greatest problem with this overrated car, but would not begin to address its other numerous and substantial problems.
07/25, 3:27 PM
posted by:
Nightblack_97
great idea, but wouldn’t this hurt pricing? The TT is already expensive…
07/25, 3:34 PM
posted by:
krautninja
I like the idea.. personally i like the new TT, i know everyone B!tches about its weight/peformance, but really the TT is more of a car sold on looks (both inside and out) as opposed to performance. and Raine, the current TT is no longer a simple GTI clone, it currently has its own platform, i believe now they just share an engine .
07/25, 3:49 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
No krautninja, the current TT is no more independant from the Golf platform than the 1st generation TT. The current TT and Golf are built on the Volkswagen PQ35 platform…do the research yourself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_A_platform
The fact of the matter is of all the PQ35 cars, an R32 is a much better value than TT. But fools pay for badges, and dearly. Also, they (TT Owners) often beligerently refuse to admit that reality.
07/25, 3:51 PM
posted by:
wushuhsu
It’ll never happen. Porsche AG is such an evil arrogant company, there’s no way it would allow Audi to make this car. Not only does Porsche AG refuse to make the Cayman a better car, it refuses to let Audi make a better Cayman. Don’t let Porsche AG get away with this: 1. boycott all Porsche purchases 2. lobby the EU to force Porsche AG to divest its Audi shares
07/25, 4:24 PM
posted by:
A4
porsche fellates dogs
make the mid engine TT
and hell give back to the golf platform and make a mid engine GTI too haha
07/25, 4:47 PM
posted by:
zeeck
isnt it the rabbit now?, and since when can you trust wikipedia? there’s a reason you aren’t actually allowed to use it as a source.
and I would much rather own a TT, it has me sold on the looks alone, and it is a good car to drive around compared to pretty much every other everyday driver out there, and a mid-engine one would help out what everyone is bitching about
07/25, 7:28 PM
posted by:
Fromes
sounds good, they need to do something to make the TT a real sports car…as nice as the car is to look at inside in out it gives up way to much in the driving department. for this price you could have a vette or a boxster, both of which are faster and sportier
07/25, 7:46 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
a mid engined TT eh? Sounds cool… But I wonder if that drive up the price for this fun (yet over priced) sports car…
07/25, 9:34 PM
posted by:
carbonsigma
Perhaps it’s taking the R4’s position, since Audi weren’t allowed to make that, and keeping the familiar TT name.
07/25, 10:27 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
In 10 years, after Porsche’s venom has fully taken effect, Audi will be lucky to have anything even remotely resembling a sports car in their lineup.
07/26, 4:13 AM
posted by:
Got Handling?
The second generation TT is more independent than the first, the TT has an adaptive suspension system which is not found on any Golf, however I think that it will feature on the Sirocco.
07/27, 1:51 AM
posted by:
A4
No zeeck, its still the Golf everywhere in the world except the united states, and is still considered the “golf” platform.
07/27, 1:52 AM
posted by:
A4
well maybe canada too for all the assholes thatll take that route
07/27, 10:51 AM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
I never understood the TT. Too small, way overpriced, lackluster performance. What’s the ****ing appeal? Same goes for the Eos. Yet they’re all over the place. ****ing public, and then they wonder why we suffer as a species.
07/27, 12:08 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Deanster, where do you see the Eos all over the place?
07/27, 1:23 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
A guy nearby owns an Eos. I don’t really understand it either. It doesn’t look bad, but doesn’t look good. It doesn’t drive bad, but it doesn’t drive good. It’s not underpowered, but neither is it powerful. It’s not a lot, but the price says differently! Nearly 30 grand for a vehicle that gets similar performance to a Miata that costs 10 grand less. And you could even save a grand and buy an RX-8, 350Z or save four grand and go for an Eclipse.. Even a fully loaded Toyota Solara.
Personally I liked the VW Golf Cabrio a lot better. I know, you might as well drive a banner around telling the world you’ve “come out of the closet” with your VW, but it did what people wanted. Cheap, affordable and fun. You could get 30 miles per gallon, have four seats and a convertible at the same time.
07/27, 2:49 PM
posted by:
krautninja
the eos shouldnt be getting compared to a miata for one, its more in the lines of the g6 convertible and the volvo hardtop convertible (while are similarly priced with the eos) and when you compare it to those, it does hold its ground. Not all cars are about the performance, but convenience amenities and style also play a part.
07/27, 7:15 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
In Montreal they’re all over the place
07/27, 11:01 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
I know what I’m going to say is not too smart but I really would like to see all independent companies; Mercedes/Chrysler wish never happened, this Porsche/VW/Audi ****; it would be good, just from some points I know, I’m just day-dreaming. It would be more beneficial for the Sports companies (to the style and flow side), but what the heck, that’s what’s readable here in LLN.