Making its debut in 1998, the strikingly styled Audi TT coupe was lauded for its similarity to the original concept shown at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show. In the decades since then, the Audi TT – both as a two-plus-two coupe and as the two-seat Audi TT roadster – has retained its distinctive, modernist style, even if its dramatic lines have been watered down a little over the years.
Despite its film star looks, the TT shares its mechanical underpinnings with much more humble members of the Volkswagen Group family (of which Audi is a part), most notably the VW Golf. It’s these everyday underpinnings that have kept the TT at relatively affordable prices compared with much more expensive and exotic sports cars.
Over the years, the TT’s been powered by diesel and petrol, and been available in two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive Quattro forms. The engine range has included everything from a 2.0-litre turbodiesel or a 148bhp 1.8-litre petrol to a 3.2-litre naturally aspirated V6 or a 395bhp turbocharged five-cylinder engine.
But one thing remains true whatever the age of the TT or its specification: it’s always a real head-turner.
Generations: 3
Audi TT mk3 (2014-)
Bodystyles:
- Three-door coupe
- Two-door roadster
Notable features and facelifts of the Audi TT mk3:
- Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital display, which replaced traditional instruments, made its first appearance in the mk3 TT
- While the mk2 TT TDI was four-wheel drive only, the mk3 TDI was front-wheel drive only
- The TT was given a facelift in 2018, with extra power and extra equipment
By the time the third-generation Audi TT rolled around in 2014, the interior didn’t seem quite as spectacular as the daring designs that preceded it. But it still sported a premium-feeling cabin. Nice touches on the third-generation model included ventilation and temperature controls that were built into the circular vents themselves.
Trim levels were either Sport or S line. The lower-tier Sport cars still got air-conditioning, Alcantara seats, DAB Radio, Bluetooth connectivity and xenon headlights, while S line switched out the xenons for LED lights.
Engine options from the launch of the TT mk3 included a 178bhp 1.8 TFSI, a 227bhp 2.0 TFSI, a 306bhp 2.0 TFSI Audi TTS coupé and the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo in the Audi TT RS, which made 395bhp. There was also a 181bhp diesel version.
The range was revised and simplified in 2019. Diesel power was dropped, and turbo petrol choices were limited to the 194bhp 2.0-litre 40 TFSI, the 245bhp 2.0-litre 45 TFSI, and the 2.0-litre, 302bhp TTS. However, you could still get the powerful TT RS and its funky body kit at the top of the range, which was unchanged.
Read our expert review of the Audi TT mk3 or search for a used Audi TT mk3 on CarGurus
Audi TT mk2 (2006-2014)
Bodystyles:
- Three-door coupe
- Two-door roadster
Notable features and facelifts of the Audi TT mk2:
- Multi-link rear suspension could be enhanced with optional Audi Magnetic Ride adaptive dampers
- A retractable spoiler gave a smooth appearance without compromising aerodynamics
- Aluminium body panels helped make mk2 TT lighter than its predecessor, despite being bigger
The second-generation Audi TT was somewhat more conservatively styled than its predecessor, but it could still turn heads as well as a Porsche Cayman, even if it wasn't quite as much fun to drive. Then again, few cars are. The really good news was under the skin, though, because this TT shared its mechanical parts with the Volkswagen Golf mk5, an altogether more lively car than the stodgy Golf mk4.
This meant that the TT mk2 was much more engaging behind the steering wheel, and featured a range of punchy petrol engines, including the 197bhp 2.0-litre TFSI quattro. Audi also pushed the performance envelope a little further with this TT. There was still the 3.2-litre V6, but Audi topped this with the 268bhp 2.0-litre TTS model (which used the same engine as the Audi S3), and then the growly 2.5-litre 335bhp five-cylinder engine for the TT RS models. The base engine was a 158bhp 1.8-litre TFSI turbo petrol.
And if you didn’t crave performance, but economy was important for improved running costs, Audi introduced a 168bhp 2.0-litre TDI diesel which could return a fuel economy of 50mpg and lower CO2 emissions. As before, the lowest-spec models featured front-wheel drive, while more powerful models used the Quattro four-wheel-drive system. Gearbox options were now either a six-speed manual or a six-speed S Tronic dual-clutch transmission, and there was still a choice between coupe and soft-top roadster.
Inside, the TT was now more luxurious, with niceties such as integrated satnav, climate control and electronic stability control. The car had also grown somewhat compared with its predecessor, so there was a little more room inside, although rear-seat passengers still wouldn’t enjoy a long journey in much comfort.
Read our expert review of the Audi TT mk2 or search for a used Audi TT mk2 on CarGurus
Audi TT mk1 (1998-2006)
Bodystyles:
- Three-door coupe
- Two-door roadster
Notable features and facelifts of the Audi TT mk1:
- The new Audi TT launched in 1998 was almost unchanged from the spectacular concept shown at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show
- Early models suffered from high-speed instability; a rear spoiler was hastily added to fix this after a series of high-profile high-speed accidents
- Special edition quattro Sport celebrated the 25th anniversary of the original Audi quattro in 2005, with 50kg weight savings, unique alloy wheels and 237bhp
- Minor facelift in 2003
With simple but stunning lines, the first-generation Audi TT was a car that rolled straight from the motor show stand as a glitzy concept car and into Audi showrooms more or less untouched. However, underneath the industrial-cool bodywork and minimalist interior were the mechanicals of the humble Volkswagen Golf mk4 hatchback, so all was not quite as exotic as it seemed.
This did mean you got a tried-and-tested line-up of drivetrains, though. There was an entry-level 1.8 four-cylinder turbo with 148bhp, one with 178bhp and one with 222bhp. Gearbox options were a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual or a six-speed tiptronic auto. The 148bhp cars were front-wheel drive, the 178bhp were either front-wheel drive or fitted with Quattro all-wheel drive, and all 222bhp cars were four-wheel drive. All models were available either as a coupe or a soft-top Roadster.
There was a minor facelift in 2003, which was limited to a few minor styling changes inside and out. However, it also signalled the introduction of a 250hp 3.2-litre V6 into the range. This got Quattro four-wheel drive and a fast-shifting, twin-clutch, six-speed DSG automatic transmission.
Read our expert review of the Audi TT mk1 or search for a used Audi TT mk1 on CarGurus