AFTER revealing its new TT coupe model at Switzerland’s Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, Audi will follow on the TT/motor show theme by unveiling the convertible variant this week in Paris.
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Audi claims its new third-generation TT Roadster combines the dynamic ride of a sports car with the driving experience of an open-top two-seater with the ride quality helped by underbody struts it says considerably improve both torsional rigidity and overall ride comfort.
The new car is slightly more compact than the one it replaces. At 4177millimetres long, it is a modest 21mm shorter but with a wheelbase that has grown by 37mm to 2505mm, reducing the front and rear overhangs. Width has been cut by a barely noticeable 10mm to 1832mm and overall height with the roof up is1355mm.
Because this latest car is built using Volkswagen Group’s MQB modular platform, the TT Roadster’s body and chassis represents a new evolution of the Audi Space Frame (ASF) design.
Ultra-high-strength components made from hot-formed steel are used to reinforce the front section and the passenger compartment floor while the complete compartment and all outer skin andattachment parts are made ofaluminum.
Compared with the TT coupe, the body of the Roadster has been modified in important areas with the aluminum A-pillars concealing a second steel pillar housing a solid steel tube in their interiors and the side sills have internal steel ribbing for maximum strength.
V-shaped steel strut reinforcement is used under the engine bay and boot and also connects the axle carriers.
As a finisher, a bulkhead made up of two box profiles separates the interior from the luggage compartment and replaces the bottom cross member found on thecoupe.
With the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and manual transmission, TT Roadster tips the scales at 1320kilograms unladen.
At launch, the new TT Roadster will get two turbocharged four-cylinder engines, a 169kilowatt and 370-Newtonmetre petrol and a 135-kilowatt, 380-Newton metre diesel. A high-performance 2.0-litre petrol engine developing 228kilowatts and 380 Newton metres will be used for the TTS model.
The TT Roadster and TTS Roadster will arrive in Australia in the latter half of 2015. Pricing, specification and engine range will be available closer to launch.
