Audi TT Offroad Concept breaks the mold, fusing the utility and lifestyle of a compact sports utility vehicle with the sportiness of a coupe. The four-door model, which the company is presenting at Beijing International Auto Show, adds a completely new expression to Audi design language. Its plug-in hybrid drive with a system output of 408HP and two electric motors offers for dynamic performance.
Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development said “The Audi Offroad Concept provides a glimpse of how we might imagine a new model in the future TT family.” “It combines the sporty genes of TT with the strengths of a compact Audi SUV. Its plug-in hybrid drive with the option of inductive charging is a major step toward the mobility of the future. We chose to present this concept in China, our second domestic market, because it symbolizes the urban mobility of tomorrow; It is connected, intelligent, dynamic and sustainable.”
The Plug-In Hybrid Drive
The Audi TT Offroad Concept’s plug-in hybrid drive churns out 408 horsepower with 479.2 pound feet of torque. The show car accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds and reaches the electronically governed top speed of 250km/h. It consumes just 1.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, a CO2 equivalent of 45 grams per kilometer. It can drive over 50 kilometers solely on electric power and thus with zero local emissions. The combustion engine is a 2.0 liter TFSI pumping out 292 horsepower with 280.3 pound feet of torque. This four-cylinder engine is packed with Audi’s potent efficiency technology.
A separating clutch links the transverse 2.0 TFSI to an electric motor generating 40kW and 162.3 pound feet of torque. The dual clutch transmission sends the torque to front wheels. Mounted on the rear axle is a second electric motor independent of this drive unit. This produces a maximum of 85kW and 199 pound feet of torque. The Audi TT Offroad Concept is designed for use with Audi Wireless Charging technology for contactless inductive charging. The infrastructure side – a plate with an inverter and a coil is placed on the parking spot of TT and connected to power grid.
The charging process begins automatically when the car drives onto the plate. The alternating magnetic field of the infrastructure side induces a 3.3kW alternating current across the air gap in the secondary coil that’s integrated into the vehicle.
Chassis
The Audi TT Offroad Concept shows its strong character in any terrain and on any road surface. On asphalt, the show car is composed and sporty, and it can easily handle light terrain thanks to its e-tron Quattro four-wheel drive, short overhangs and high ground clearance. 255/40 series tires are mounted on 21 inch wheels, whose delicate 5-arm design draws on the look of Audi e-tron models. Dark trim offers contrast.
Driver Assistance Systems
The Audi TT Offroad Concept features two Audi drive assistance systems, which are almost ready for production: the online traffic light information technology and intersection assistant. Online traffic light information is a technology, which connects the TT through a cellphone network to central traffic that controls the traffic light systems in the city. Based on the information from this system, the Audi visual cockpit shows the driver what speed to drive in order to reach the next traffic light, while it’s green.
Alternatively, the intersection assistant aims to help to avoid side impact collisions or reduce their severity, where lanes merge and at intersections. A wide angle video camera and radar sensors scan zones to the sides and front of the vehicle. If the system detects a vehicle approaching from the side and assesses it to be critical, graduated warnings are displayed in Audi virtual cockpit.
Body
Like many of brand’s new production models, the Audi TT Offroad Concept is based on the versatile MQB (modular transverse matrix). The body is based on ASF (Audi Space Frame) principle and features a hybrid concept with both aluminum and steel components. Together with battery package of plug-in hybrid drive system, it gives the compact crossover a low center of gravity that’s a prerequisite for its sporty performance.
Exterior
1.85 meters wide, 4.39 meters long and wheelbase of 2.63 meters – in these dimensions the Audi TT Offroad Concept resembles today’s compact SUV, the Audi Q3. At 1.53 meters tall, however, it’s 8 centimeters shorter, making its sporty character obvious at first glance. The Sonora Yellow outer skin appears to have been modeled from a solid block; the muscularly taut surfaces and the interplay of the clearly drawn lines produces a highly dramatic design. It uses the design language of TT, but places its elements in a new context.
Interior
The Audi TT Offroad Concept’s interior offers space for four. The rearseat can accommodate two adults comfortably. The slim sport seats with integrated head restraints ensure lateral hold, whereas the side bolsters of front seats are very strongly contoured. In addition to elements from TT, the design of doors and center console also include numerous elements from the Q family, such as functional cupholders in front of the shift lever and a robustly designed tunnel support.
In keeping with the sporty character of the show car, the interior features a combination of light and dark gray tones and fine materials. Granite Gray Fine Nappa leather is used in the outer zones of door liners and on the steering wheel rim. The pillar covers, headliner, center tunnel and door panels are covered with matching Alcantara. The center tunnel console, seats with diamond patterned stitching and door armrests are covered in very soft, luxurious Stone Gray leather from Poltrona Frau, an Italian company.
So, if you’ve been hoping for another entry in the growing crossover coupe segment, tell Audi you’d like to see this in the real world some day.
