Audi TT GT4 Concept

German luxury car maker accelerates its motorsports program by unveiling 'affordable' $160,000 ready-to-race coupe in China

The Audi TT could become a weapon of choice for semi-professional racers if the new GT4 Concept is anything to go by. Unveiled at the 2010 DTM race in Shanghai, the GT4 Concept will be priced at around €120,000 (AU$163,000) and is good for 250 kilowatts of power.

Power is routed through an S-Tronic twin-clutch gearbox. The new model is pencilled in as a production model for 2012, designed to “extend Audi’s new modular customer sport program from 2012 forward,” according to the German car maker.

It’s clear to see from the images that Ingolstadt’s new TT is not your garden variety German prestige coupe — a range of ventilation aids in and around the bonnet evidence of its improved cooling systems and the lowered ride height adding to its Playstation appeal.

Underneath the skin, the Audi TT GT4 Concept features a roll cage, along with a “safety-optimised fuel tank box” plus a diff lock and modified production suspension that comes with adjustable dampers to allow for minor chassis tuning.

Riding on 9.5 x 18-inch light alloy wheels, the Audi TT GT4 Concept was driven by five-time Le Mans winner Frank Biela around the street circuit in Shanghai. While the new GT4 Concept uses the front and rear aprons plus the rear wing from the production version Audi TT RS, it replaces the road-legal metal bonnet, boot lid and doors with carbon fibre reinforced plastic panels to reduce weight.

Like all good race cars the interior is completely stripped out and Recaro bucket seats replace the luxury leather pews of the street car.

Though €120,000 ($163,000) may sound expensive, it is comparatively affordable in the world of ready-to-race motor cars, and is an indication of Audi’s intent to push its motorsports activities. At this stage the car is intended for European sales only.

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