“Audi should have a sports car, for sure,” CEO Gerald Döllner said. And a new concept due out this year could show where Audi is going.
- The head of Audi states that the company requires a sports car, with the TT being considered an iconic model.
- He remains open to the idea that the TT might become an electric vehicle down the line.
- The introduction of an electric TT doesn’t seem certain yet, but it appears Audi is seriously contemplating producing one.
In 1998, Audi introduced one of its most distinctive designs in modern times with the launch of the TT sports car. This model underwent three generations before being phased out in 2023, selling a remarkable 662,762 units—a significant achievement for a compact two-door front-wheel-drive sportscar. There might be hope yet as it could make a comeback but this time powered by electricity rather than petrol.
At this point, nothing appears definite, but
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I queried Audi CEO Gernot Döllner regarding the TT, and he admitted that it is considered an “icon” and stated definitively that “Audi must certainly possess a sports car.”
When queried about whether electricity could be suitable for an upcoming TT model, Döllner stated, “For genuine racecars intended for tracks, as far as I’m concerned, the viable options so far have been internal combustion engines or hybrids. However, if we’re considering vehicles meant primarily for regular street usage, then I’d certainly foresee a shift towards electrification.”
He continued, “In the long run, there will be room for all-electric sports cars, primarily for traversing mountains like the Alps or enjoying scenic routes on rural roads rather than racing.” According to Döllner, their capability to charge while one takes a break for a cup of coffee would be crucial for these vehicles to fulfill such roles.
The TT has historically used the same platform as the front-wheel-drive Volkswagen Golf, most notably the MQB platform, which provided
the most scorching TT-RS variant with A8-level performance
However, should the upcoming model switch to an electric powertrain, it would probably require construction based on a distinct platform, inevitably leading our thoughts towards the MEB as the electrified counterpart of MQB.
The MEB platform forms the basis for vehicles such as
the Volkswagen ID.3
or the
Audi Q4 E-Tron
It supports both rear- or all-wheel-drive configurations. Additionally, there’s a more budget-friendly variant of MEB with front-wheel drive, intended for use in Volkswagen Group’s smaller electric vehicles such as the production model of the ID.Elligo concept.
Switching to a rear-wheel-drive architecture would make sense for an electric sports car. Critics have always pointed to the TT’s front-wheel-drive-biased nature as a shortfall, and this would be a good opportunity for Audi to silence them by making something primarily rear-driven.
We also can’t rule out a future model based on the Porsche-Audi jointly developed PPE platform, which is already underway.
the Q6 E-Tron
, and
the new electric Macan
A variant of the same platform is thought to also support the new 718 Spyder and Cayman sports cars.
Electric Rendering of Porsche 718 Boxster
The Volkswagen Group is also developing a new architecture known as SSP, designed to supersede both the MEB and PPE platforms. This could serve as the foundation for future models.
the electric 718
It’s scheduled to launch next year in a new model, potentially the 718, offering adaptable design options with engine powers spanning between 160 and 1,740 horsepower. This architecture may form the basis for most upcoming electric vehicles within the company lineup, which means we might see it applied to an electrified version of the TT as well.
Audi might opt for a less expensive solution by utilizing the MEB platform to create a rear-wheel-drive TT, making it possible to offer the TT E-Tron at a lower price point akin to the original. This electric vehicle could reasonably retail for about $50,000 instead of the anticipated $80,000 price tag for the forthcoming electric 718. A TT built on the PPE architecture would likely fall into this higher price range as well.
Gernot Döllner expressed his delight at having Massimo Frascella serve as Audi’s Chief Creative Officer for designing their new models. Prior to joining Audi in 2023, Frascella worked with Jaguar-Land Rover, where he played a key role in crafting the designs of the new Defender and the most recent Range Rover—both vehicles that garnered significant praise and admiration for their aesthetics.
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Frascella focuses on designs with straightforward and minimalistic forms, devoid of unnecessary embellishments. All his creations possess a distinct Bauhaus aesthetic. This aligns perfectly with an Audi TT, since the initial design was noted for its sleek, streamlined Bauhaus-inspired look, which has allowed it to remain elegant over time.
The information from the source indicates that Frascella’s initial significant contribution to Audi will be a concept vehicle set to premiere at the IAA German Motor Show in Munich during early September. This model could potentially signal a shift in Audi’s aesthetic approach and stylistic trajectory.
A different brand from the Volkswagen Group, Cupra, has already unveiled a concept car giving a glimpse of a possible production two-door electric sports vehicle.
Cupra DarkRebel
Interestingly, if such a production model were to be created, it might end up costing the same or even more than the electric 718. In that case, it could potentially utilize the PPE platform as well.
Cupra DarkRebel
We would be thrilled if the TT returned as a well-handling rear-wheel-drive electric vehicle with design elements that pay homage to the classic, yet we should not overlook that
Audi isn’t performing up to its potential.
Therefore, it might be unwise to allocate resources for such a project at this moment. The mentioned IAA concept should provide insight into what priorities the car manufacturer has nowadays.