Audi freshens up TT coupe and roadster for 2019
- Coupe and roadster gets mild makeover, more power, extra kit and a new special-edition for some markets
Outside, it’s a case of blink and you’ll miss the exterior changes that include a new three-dimensional single-frame grille and redesigned new air-intakes.
As part of the facelift, the German car-maker has also introduced the option of both matrix LED front headlights and the latest OLED tail-lights.
Other differences compared to the outgoing car includes the offer of new alloy wheel designs and three new colours, Turbo Blue, Pulse Orange and Cosmos Blue.
Finally, if you look closely at the rear boot lid you’ll also notice Audi’s Porsche Cayman rival has adopted its confusing power-related nomenclature to help distinguish power outputs of the three engines available.
The base engine now comes with a ’40 TFSI’ badge to indicate that its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder produces 145kW while the more powerful ’45 TFSI’ uses the same engine but pushes out a more impressive 183kW.
The sportier still TT S, meanwhile, is the exception to the badging rule and comes 225kW — 3kW down on the model it replaces, due to a new power-sapping particulate filter.
To compensate, the all-wheel drive TT S 2.0-litre turbo now produces an additional 20Nm of torque that, combined with Audi’s S tronic dual-clutch auto (a manual isn’t an option), sees the 0-100km/h time fall a tenth of a second to 4.5 seconds.
As part of the mid-life tweaks, Audi has dropped the diesel-powered version that was available in Europe for a full petrol line-up.
Inside, buyers of the updated 2019 TT will have the option of paying for the same Sport display that measures and displays power, torque and G-forces and displays them to the driver.
The Sport display comes standard on the TT S but will be an option on the 40 and 45 TFSI models.
In some markets Audi says it will introduce a new TT S Black Edition that comes with the LED headlights, a fixed rear wing, gloss black alloys and a premium leather interior.
There will also be a strictly limited-run TT 20 Years anniversary model that marks two decades of the TT, which was introduced originally back in 1998.
Restricted to 999 cars worldwide, the limited model comes with bespoke badging, a choice of two grey paint options and a Moccasin Brown leather interior that pays tribute to the first-gen coupe and roadster.
Details have yet to be confirmed for the Australian market but in Europe the coupe and roadster models are set to come with a price rise of around five per cent.
Audi Q3 for 2019 teased ahead of reveal
- German car maker releases new video for first glimpse of BMW X1 rival
The teaser for Audi’s BMW X1 rival was released overnight on social media channels, the latest glimpse coming just days after the next-gen small SUV was caught testing on Spanish roads.
The headline news is the Audi Q3 is set to grow in size and feature a more aggressive look. Being based on the Volkswagen Group’s versatile MQB platform, the Audi Q3 for 2019 is likely to bring a significant weight (and cost) saving over the current car.
Thanks to the platform switch, the Audi Q3 is now likely to share even more with the other MQB-based SUV in the stable, the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Under the bonnet of the Audi Q3, a familiar range of turbo four-cylinder petrol and diesels will be available as well as Volkswagen Group’s range of new electrified mild-hybrid and full plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Soon after launch next year Audi is expected to introduce a flagship RS Q3 version that will come with a near 300kW version of the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo that powers the current RS 3.
Audi’s 2019 e-tron shows off high-tech cabin
- Ahead of launch in late August, German car-maker reveals its most futuristic interior yet
Audi has continued teasing its highly-touted e-tron despite reportedly cancelling its official unveil, this time giving us a glimpse of its pure-electric SUV’s state-of-the-art cabin.
Releasing images overnight, the German car-maker reveals how its e-tron’s pioneering ‘virtual’ exterior mirrors will work in the real world.
Replacing traditional door mirrors with cameras, the pics show how a live broadcast of the road behind will be projected on neat screens that live where the doors meet the dashboard.
Those screens are actually 7.0-inch OLED displays that provide a widescreen view. The cameras are no gimmick, say Audi, but rather part of a clever aerodynamic package which also incorporates air suspension that lowers at speed to reduce drag.
Combined, the e-tron is said to boast a drag co-efficient of 0.28. To put it in perspective, that is around the same as the new Nissan LEAF and around 0.02 better than the baby Q2, despite being a bigger car.
With less drag, there’s more range – almost 34km more than it did without the clever air-bending, according to Audi.
In total, Audi claims the e-tron will cover 399km on the new tougher WLTP test cycles that’s designed to produce more realistic figures.
As well as the clever mirror, the battery-powered Tesla-rival also comes with a further three large customisable screens, each designated for air con, infotainment and the firm’s usual 12.3-inch virtual cockpit display respectively.
Audiophiles will rejoice that the e-tron will come with a new 16-speaker 705-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system specially developed for the zero-emission Audi.
Other information already revealed by Audi is the e-tron gets dual motors that provide for all-wheel drive.
Powering the large pure-electric SUV will be an energy-dense 95kWh lithium-ion battery that can withstand 150kWh DC fast-charging — 30kWh more than a Tesla using its Supercharger network.
As well as the fast DC charger, the e-tron will also get an 11kW on-board AC charger with the option of a 22kW charger. Both can recover energy on the move.
Audi has confirmed the e-tron can be fully charged in 8.5 hours when connected to a 300-volt three-phase outlet but the German car-maker has yet to disclose how long the e-tron’s batteries take to charge using a conventional household socket.
It’s also still unknown how powerful (or quick) the e-tron will be, although performance variants are expected to arrive following its launch.
Originally planned for a Belgium reveal on August 30, the e-tron will now be unveiled to the world at a later date at an event in the US.
Despite its unveiling being delayed, Audi is adamant that the e-tron’s on-sale dates remain on schedule with it expected to go on sale in Australia in early 2019 priced from around $170,000.
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