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The Audi TT is a two-door sports car that has been a staple of the company since 1998 and is now in its final generation.

The Audi TT has three generations. The first one began in 1998 and came with two engine options. The second generation TT debuted in 2006 and continued until 2014. It featured three engine options. The final generation started in 2015, and it had the most aggressive design.

The Audi TT has gone through several changes over the years. The models have been loved by many due to their unique design and outstanding power. Understanding the generations of Audi TT can be a bit difficult as many models have come and gone over the years, but we'll help you get familiar with its variations.

In this article, we will discuss all the three generations of Audi TT sports cars, analyzed by our experienced and well-versed car enthusiasts.

Table of Contents

The Audi TT MK1 First Generation

The Audi TT's first iteration debuted in 1998 and stayed in production until 2006. Bodyshells were made and coated in Audi's Ingolstadt plant, and the vehicle was built in the Volkswagen Group's Gyor facility in Hungary. The TT was available in a two-seat roadster and 2+2 style coupe. The styling was quite bubbly and round. It also had a unique interior design that set it apart from the remainder of the Audi series.

The TT was based on Volkswagen's Group A platform and came in FWD or AWD configurations with a front-mounted transverse engine. For this generation, two engine options were available: a 1.8L Turbo I4 that produced 178 horsepower and a 3.2L VR6 that offered 247 horsepower.

Truly independent front suspension was optional, and beginning in 2003, a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission was offered as an option to the five- and six-speed manual transmissions.

Audi TT Quattro Sport

In 2005, the Coupe-only limited edition was released by Audi. It was named the Audi TT Quattro Sport or TT QS. With a manual transmission and a 3.2-liter VR6 engine with roughly 250 horsepower, the car quickly became quite popular.

The spare tire, dynamic damper, and back seats were removed to reduce weight. Lighter Recaro front seats were equipped as well to reduce the overall weight, thus improving performance.

Audi TT QS had a two-tone paint scheme, unique 15-spoke, 18-inch wheels, and the body package from the V6 model.

Audi TT MK2 Second Generation

In 2004, Audi announced the second-generation TT, which made headlines when it was revealed that it would be built entirely of aluminum. It debuted in 2006 with the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform.

Audi used a combination of aluminum and steel components to achieve a near-perfect 50-50 distribution of weight on both the front and back.

The Mk2 is more sophisticated than its predecessor and also a superior all-rounder, suitable for everyday use as well as long road trips. The vehicle came with more engine options than the first-generation TT. The 2.0L Turbo I4 was available with 200 horsepower. You could also opt for the 3.2L VR6 that had 247 horsepower. Meanwhile, the 2.5L Turbo I5 came with 355 horsepower. The last engine only came in the TT RS, which was the luxurious version of the standard TT. It was the most favorable option, but many couldn't afford it due to its insane price tag.

Like the previous version, the new TT was available with front-wheel drive or 'Quattro' four-wheel-drive, depending mostly on the specification. The TT Mk2's general dimension was enlarged to roughly 127 mm long and 75 mm broad. The 2+2 coupé was the primary configuration once more, but a two-seater racer was also offered.

You won't be disappointed with the Audi TT Mk2 if you're searching for a fun, elegant, and pretty strong second-hand sports vehicle.

2.0 TDI Quattro

The Audi TT 2.0 TDI Quattro was launched as a TT second-generation vehicle. It debuted at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show and was the first diesel-powered variant of the Audi TT for the Global market. It was available in coupé and roadster forms.

The new 2.0-liter Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) engine featured 16 valves and a double overhead camshaft (DOHC).

The 2.0 TDI Quattro came with a six-speed manual transmission. The coupé could go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.5 seconds, and the maximum speed of the vehicle was 226 km/h. The roadster version lagged behind just a bit as it managed to reach 100 km/h in 7.7 sec and had a maximum speed of 223 km/h.

Audi TT RS

The Audi TT RS was the first tiny sports vehicle to receive an RS version in the second generation, and it was a joy to drive. It was equipped with a new 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five engine that produced slightly over 330 horsepower.

The Quattro technology was improved to cope with the increased power, and the TT RS received a lower air suspension as an option with Audi Magnetic Ride. The best thing was that it was made available for purchase in the United States after a campaign garnered 11,000 signatures from Audi fans.

TT MK3 Third Generation

The third generation of Audi TT debuted in 2014 as the natural next evolutionary step of the now-legendary sports vehicle. It is expected to be the final lineup from the series, which is quite disappointing as the vehicle offered a lot of power, comfort, and style. The interior of the third-generation Audi TT was changed significantly, with the HVAC settings located in the center of the ventilation system.

The new TT had three trim levels – Audi TT, Audi TTS, and Audi TT RS. The standard trim, Audi TT, boasts a 2.0L turbo engine that can produce 258 horsepower. It features 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Audi TTS is powered by the same engine as the standard version but can produce up to 280 horsepower. The top-of-the-line variant, TT RS, comes with a 2.5L turbocharged I5 that can put out 394 horsepower. It can go from 0-60 in just 3.6 seconds, which is insane. When started up, the car sounds like a vintage Group B beast, and when paired with the all-wheel-drive system, the 3.6-second sprint pace will put more high-end cars to shame. It's a snappy and exciting backroad killer, thanks to the included adjustable magnetic dampers and rapid steering.

Audi TT Final Edition

For the past 20 years, the Audi TT has discreetly gone about its job of being an extraordinarily well-balanced and gorgeous automobile. In that case, the Final Edition is the ultimate best-of collection. It features minor exterior flourishes as well as a stunning set of 19-inch crafted Gloss Metal Gray wheels.

The interior is just as unique, with Nappa leather upholstery with distinct baseball stitching that harkens back to the previous generation's seat design. It's a fitting send-off for an automobile that has been here for nearly two decades.

Amazing Interior of Audi TT

All generations of Audi TT are renowned for their impressive interiors. The design team got its inspiration from music, fashion, and architecture. The team was made up of Peter Schreyer, Hartmut Warkuss, Romulus Rost, and Martin Smith. Ross was inspired by the idea of how a baseball ball stays firmly in the glove. He used this as a concept to design the seats in TT.

He believed that people that sit inside the TT should become one with it, and that is why he designed the seats to be like baseball gloves. In addition to lavish and comfortable seats, the car's interior was driver-focused and laid out to offer as much convenience as possible. Instead of overloading the cabins with fancy technology and buttons, Audi went for minimalism, and it worked for them as the interior managed to win several awards and was attributed to the success of TT

Final Verdict

The TT has a lot of great features! These cars are usually equipped with air suspension or KW coil-overs. In terms of wheels, Rotiform is perhaps the most popular, followed by 3SDM and BBS. Due to its popularity, the vehicle continued for three generations before Audi decided to pull the plug on it.

The first-generation Mk1 TT is a good option for those looking to get their hands on an Audi at a reasonable price. It will set you back around $10,000, depending on the vehicle's condition. The price of the second-generation TT ranges from $10,000 to $15,000. However, if you go for the high-end RS model, it will cost around $30,000. Finally, the third generation TT's base variant starts at $45,000, and the top-of-line variant will cost you over $67,000.

Audi TT is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a fast and stylish vehicle, and it is surely worth spending money on!

Audi TT Generations: Complete Guide

About The Author

Charles Redding

Charles Redding

I've spent many years selling cars, working with auto detailers, mechanics, dealership service teams, quoting and researching car insurance, modding my own cars, and much more.

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