IT’S ALMOST NORMAL PROCEDURE these days, but when Audi’s long-running TT end production, it will do so with a special Limited Edition.
The aptly named TT Final Edition is based on the Audi TT 45 TFSI quattro but with its own distinctive styling as well as significant additional equipment over and above the standard model, paying tribute to a vehicle that has received both popular and critical acclaim throughout its 25-year production.
“Instantly recognisable, the Audi TT rightly enjoys its place as a modern classic,” says Jeff Mannering, Director of Audi Australia. “From the original concept car in 1995, through three generations and various specialist iterations over the years, it has struck a chord with customers and critics alike right around the world.”
“Boasting all of the elements that have endeared the TT to a legion of customers over its 25-year production, the TT Final Edition is a fitting way to farewell this automotive icon. It has all of the style of the original at its core, coupled with impressive performance and a high level of specification as befits this limited-edition release.”
Celebrating success: TT Final Edition
The TT 45 TFSI quattro Final Edition captures the very essence of the celebrated Audi TT sportscar, melding the iconic design with sharp contemporary elements for its own distinctive look. Performance and handling are key elements of this special model, as is a high level of equipment and appointment over and above the already impressive TT 45 TFSI quattro model on which it is based.
In fact, the TT Final Edition sports more than $14,000 worth (Audi’s figures) of added equipment for only $5900 more than the 45 TFSI quattro, representing outstanding value for this limited-edition release.
Available in four colours – Turbo blue, Glacier white metallic, Chronos grey metallic and Tango red metallic – the iconic shape is unmistakable yet with a sharp, contemporary treatment. The wide Singleframe grille with the simple quattro badging, large air intakes and LED headlights giving it a purposeful, aggressive look. This is further enhanced with the addition of an S line Competition Plus exterior package and unique, 19-inch Audi Sport wheels in a five-arm polygon design, finished in gloss anthracite black. The exterior package includes a fixed rear wing in gloss black, as well as black exterior styling package which includes the Audi rings on the front and rear, the auto-folding electric wing mirrors and the exhaust tips, rear diffuser and side trim in black. On the side sills, Audi rings decals are a nod to the brand’s motorsport past.
The purposeful stance, red brake callipers and muscular competition body kit perfectly compliment the TT’s design and customers can also opt to further tailor the car’s appearance with the addition of 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels in a 10-Y-spoke design finished in gloss black.
A true sportscar: performance and handling
A true driver’s car, the TT Final Edition delivers the performance and handling to match its sporty looks. Its 2.0-litre TFSI powerplant producing 180kW of power and 370Nm of torque between 1600 and 4300rpm to see off the sprint from zero to 100km/h in just 5.1 seconds on the way to its governed 250km/h top speed.
Mated to a seven-speed S tronic transmission and with power going down to all four wheels through quattro permanent all-wheel drive, the TT Final Edition delivers razor-sharp handling, further enhanced with electromechanical progressive steering with speed-dependent power assistance.
Driver focused: the interior
Inside the TT Final Edition pays homage to the original TT design ethos with its minimalist layout yet incorporates the latest automotive technology as well as a wealth of additional comfort features to give this model a truly exclusive feel.
With its flat-bottomed steering wheel finished in an Alcantara/leather combination, complete with 12 o’clock marker, and coloured interior elements in Slate grey or Turbo blue, the sporting nature of the car is immediately evident.
The electric S sport front seats are finished in fine Nappa leather with contrasting stitching and S embossing and feature electric lumbar and side bolsters. Customers can choose between black with Ara blue stitching or black with Express red stitching (the latter only available with slate grey interiors), while the leather package also extends to the armrests, door handles and the centre console. Interior ambient lighting enhances the ‘cockpit’ feel at night while inlays in brushed aluminium create the perfect counterpoint to the simple, clean design.
State-of-the-art technology has been seamlessly (there’s that word again!) integrated into the cabin, with Audi’s virtual cockpit plus complete with sport display occupying the central position in front of the driver. Audi MMI navigation has also been integrated into the virtual cockpit allowing the driver to take in all important information at a glance. Audi smartphone interface and Audi phone box light with wireless charging are standard inclusions along with Audi music interface, eight-speaker sound system and DAB+ Digital Radio.
Driver assistance: safety systems
As with all Audi vehicles, the TT Final Edition places an emphasis on passenger safety. To that end, a comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance systems are included to enhance the ride and ensure the safety of occupants.
Included in the package are Audi attention assist, Audi side assist and Hold assist for starts on steep hills. The TT Final Edition also includes Audi parking system plus front and rear, with rear view camera and visual display as well as tyre pressure loss indicator.
An automotive icon: unique style
The original Audi TT design concept was unveiled at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) in 1995, where its minimalist, Bauhaus-inspired design was hailed as a triumph (although, if we are being totally honest, we at seniordriveraus never quite bonded with it). Its clean, rounded body design was reminiscent of the Auto Union race cars of the 1930s and yet the TT design concept was undeniably contemporary in its execution. Even its name, taken from the famous Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) race, harked back to the brand’s motorsport heritage with NSU and DKW.
Few believed that Audi would actually build a production model based on the concept design, but just three years later, the TT Coupé became a series production reality and an automotive icon was born. What was more surprising was that the production model remained true to the design study with only minor changes.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2023, the TT has evolved through three generations in that time, with each new evolution remaining true to the iconic original design. Both Coupé and Roadster versions of the TT have been produced over the model’s lifetime as well as Audi S and RS versions, building on the iconic sportscar’s performance credentials.
In its early days the TT enjoyed significant success in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) and also inspired its own one-make racing series in Europe, the Audi Sport TT from 2015.
Hailed as an automotive icon, the Audi TT has garnered numerous international awards throughout its 25-year history, with more than 650,000 TTs produced at the brand’s Gyor site in Hungary.
Market Introduction
The Audi TT Final Edition is available in strictly limited numbers at Audi dealerships now.