The New Audi TT S Is Less Powerful But Slightly Faster
Say hello to the new, improved Audi TT S. Which is, erm, slightly less powerful than before. It’s dropped from 306bhp to 302bhp, thanks to the use of a petrol particulate filter which has been fitted to make the car compliant with the new WLTP emissions regime.
But don’t worry, it’s actually a little faster than before. The coupe and the drop-top versions of the TT S both complete the 0-62mph sprint a tenth quicker than the pre-facelift cars - 4.5sec and 4.8sec respectively. It’s all down to the old six-speed twin-clutch ‘DSG’ gearbox being ditched for VW Group’s newer seven-speed unit.
You’re probably wondering, then, how the power drop might affect the performance of the manual. Well, we have bad news on that front: there’s no longer a stick shift option for the TT S. Boo.
The manual TT S - which only accounted for 12 per cent of UK TT S sales - isn’t the only thing that’s been dropped from the range, either: the diesel TT is no more, and the entry-level 1.8-litre inline-four has been banished from the range, replaced with a 2.0-litre unit producing 197bhp.
It’s badged ‘40 TFSI’, while the old 228bhp TT has been replaced with a 242bhp ‘45 TFSI’ model. These can be had with either the seven-speed DSG or a six-speed manual, although four-wheel drive is available only on the 45.
Want something a little more special? You might be interested in the ‘TT 20 years’ anniversary version (above and below). Limited to 999 examples, the special-edition - you guessed it - celebrates the 20th anniversary of the TT. It does so with ‘moccasin brown’ Nappa leather (which we dig), Panuka contrasting stitching and a bunch of ‘TT 20 years’ badges. On the outside, it’s enhanced by stainless steel tailpipes, OLED tail lights and Audi rings above the sills. You can have it as either a coupe or Roadster and with either Arrow grey or Nardo grey paint. You’ll have to like grey and brown, in other words.
All cars have received an exterior tweak, not that you’d notice without looking closely. The single-frame grille has a new “three-dimensional” design, flanked by bigger intakes. If you go for an S Line or Black Edition car, your TT will be treated to a fancy new front splitter, angrier side skirts, finned (fake) air inlets at the rear, and a redesigned diffuser. Equipment levels for all models have been boosted, and there are some new wheel and colour options. We particularly like the look of ‘pulse orange’, though we suspect that’ll be a niche choice…
Order books will open in Autumn, and the first cars will arrive with owners near the end of the year.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
I welcome any improvements, but if I was an owner, I’d be slightly pissed
The TT is quite a new car and the TT RS was revealed less than 2 years ago. So those who bought it at launch now see their car labelled as “pre-facelift” even before their first MOT
The same thing happened to the M2: the entire 2-series range was facelifted about a year after the M2 was launched and then more recently the M2 competition eclipsed any previous M2
Of course, the changes are all exciting for us, but it must suck for the owners to see their brand new car becoming outdated so quickly
I agree with it, buy a car today and tomorrow there is a new version which as you said “eclipses” your vehicle
That’s why I look for used cars, because you don’t regret it after two weeks
I feel bad for Nissan GT-R owners. Especially people that bought the original car. The car is updated every year 😂
Current TT is older than you think! It’s coming up about four years old, so it’s about the right time for a facelift (particularly when everything needs to be re-homologated for WLTP). Last TT was in production for eight years, so assuming the current one will have a similar life-cycle, was are at roughly the mid-way point
They call it planned obsolescence. “We could put it all in the car from launch….but instead we’ll hold some back for the facelift”
Pretty much why I’d always buy second hand, not new.
So better rush to buy the older tts as long as its available as the newer 7 speed isnt as good as the older 6 speed auto and the loss of the manual is even worse
Uhmm did you not read? The manuals sticking
Maybe not for long, but it’s still here
Have driven multiple VW Group products with the six-speed and the seven and confirm the seven is noticeably better.
And on today’s edition of Spot the Difference…….
It looks great.
Audi Ti-…you know the rest
Titanium
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Power =speed
Less power =less speed
better aero+less weight=speed again
Tbh I like the TTS for its mildness but only if it had a manual option like the A4 and the A5 have, then I would have bought the TTS over the TT RS
But I prefer the TT RS because of five-pot
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Hahahaha no
Less power, more fast?
Higher gears ratios?