Sub-2.0-litre Audi TT on the cards for Aus

AUDI Australia may go back to the future and re-introduce a base-spec 1.8-litre TFSI-powered variant to its local TT range. On local turf, the engine was dropped from the TT for the latest generation, but it has just been added back into the European line-up and Australia could follow suit.

The newest iteration of the German car-maker's style icon launched on Australian turf earlier this year, powered exclusively by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, but Europe will now have a new entry-level option with the smaller TFSI petrol engine.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed for the 1.8 TFSI but as a new entry-level version, the vehicle is likely to be the most affordable in the TT repertoire – a feature that appeals to Audi Australia.

The current range starts from $71,950 before on-road costs for the Sport 2.0 TFSI.

In a statement confirming the new variant for European markets, Audi Australia marketing general manager Kevin Goult said the new engine was not out of the question, but the company had not made any decisions regarding the local range at this stage.

“While there was a 1.8 TFSI engine in the former Audi TT line-up, the new 2.0 TFSI engine brought both power and efficiency gains when it arrived in the all-new third-generation TT,” he said “We are currently evaluating the new 1.8 TFSI engine’s potential in the current range, but any introduction would not occur before the end of the year.” At its launch in 1998, the original Audi TT was powered exclusively by a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder in two states of tune, and the new unit matches the least powerful of the first-generation pair with 132kW.

Adoption of the new 250Nm 1.8-litre engine would be a step up from the second-generation version, though, which produced 118kW and the same torque in European tune.

The new1.8-litre will push the new TT 1.8 TFSI to 100km/h from standstill in 6.9 seconds when fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox. It is a tenth of a second slower with a six-speed automatic transmission.

In Europe, the new engine will be available in both coupe and convertible TTs, using between 5.7 and 6.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres depending on the transmission and bodystyle, compared with between 5.9 and 6.4L/100km of the current 2.0 TFSI coupe.

While Audi Australia deliberates about the new base version, additional flagship variants are more likely for the power-hungry local market, in the form of TT S and TT RS high-performance versions.

The jury is still out on the full-fat RS, but Audi has confirmed the next TT S will sport a highly-strung 2.0-litre four-cylinder, turning the taps up to 228kW and 380Nm.

In its previous generation, Audi offered the 200kW 2.0-litre turbo four-pot TT S, and an even more potent TT RS with a 250kW five-cylinder engine.