Audi TTS leaks onto web before NAIAS

Posted on Tuesday 8 January 2008


Audi’s TT shook up the sports car scene when it was first released nearly a decade ago. Since then both the front- and all-wheel drive versions have won fans and comparisons across the globe. The new TTS, leaked onto the web ahead of its official debut at NAIAS next week, brings more power and new styling to the beloved Audi coupe.

And speaking of new styling, we have to congratulate ourselves for prognosticating the looks of the TTS with remarkable accuracy, as our preview from over a month ago shows. The new look is definitely more aggressive and even sportier than the normal TT, especially at the front, where the new, more powerful motor breathes. Other touches include a retractible rear wing. Inside, the TTS gets abundant TTS badging and unique materials, but otherwise sticks closely to Audi’s already excellent TT interior. The TTS will be available as either a coupe or cabriolet, according to the images leaked into the hands of Spanish-language site Motorpasion.

Perhaps the biggest piece of the story is what justifies the ‘S’ being added to the TTS: its motor. With a power increase in the 2.0L turbo mill to 272hp, the light, nimble and sylish coupe could be bringing the fight to competitors previously beyond its reach, like the BMW Z4M or even the Porsche Cayman - of course, only if it is available with AWD, as the front-wheel drive TT’s understeer and lack of grip will only be exacerbated by adding more power to the equation. We’ll have to wait until Audi’s official reveal at NAIAS to find out the rest of the story.