test drive of AUDI TT and TTS roadsters on the island of mallorca

test drive of AUDI TT and TTS roadsters on the island of mallorca
images courtesy of AUDI AG

in anticipation for the launch of the third-generation AUDI ‘TT roadster’ and ‘TTS roadster’ in late march 2015, designboom traveled to the spanish island of mallorca to test drive the two sports cars.

at first glance, the latest models show clear resemblance to the previous 1999 and 2007 productions, thanks to its pure and line-defined exterior design. however, with its short overhangs and singleframe grille that is similar in width to the R8’s, it is clear that the updates reflect an even more masculine and bold athletic form. what differentiates the 4.18 meter long 2015 versions, are the ‘TTS’s recognizable air inlets and aerodynamic side sills, as well as its distinctive and exclusive color options. with an overall range of 11 choices, one of which is solely for the ‘s’, seven are new to the ‘TT’ and two are completely new for AUDI – the nano gray and dramatic tango red.

designboom editor-in-chief birgit lohmann test driving the TTS roadster
image © designboom

the TT roadster family – newest (left) to oldest (right)
image © designboom

a key feature to the two-seater models and also to the whole ‘TT’ family, is the cloth soft top that opens and folds in ten seconds. the roof cleverly retracts into a flat package, even when the automobile is traveling at a speed of around 30 mph, and only takes up a tiny amount of the 280 liter volume luggage compartment. in order to ensure that the 1,320kg car still provides a sporty and uncompromising performance, the lightweight construction has the manufacturer’s space frame that enhances ultra-reinforced, steel components.

the matrix light technology uses small, controllable, individual LEDs to generate the high beam

side view of the TTS roadster with its top down

these performance capabilities that the german company’s designers and engineers have worked to not just maintain, but also to improve, is down to the automobiles’ three four-cylinder engines first and foremost. they produce between 184 and 310 horsepower, and can accelerate to 62 mph in a top time of 4.9 seconds. even with all this power, the motors are more efficient than the previous ones and has a fuel consumption figure of just 4.3 liters per 100km. including the recently developed quattro permanent all-wheel drive, six-speed S tronic and driving modes, the ‘TT’ and ‘TTS’ provides an overall improved driving experience that is concurrent with the family’s sporty personality.

the flat, folded hood only takes up a small amount of the 280 liter volume luggage compartment

beautiful spanish landscape provided the perfect setting for the sports car
image © designboom

on the inside, the athletic feel is not lost thanks to the top-quality workmanship, that uses new colors and materials to help create an impression of an aircraft’s wing. the architecture, including either alcantara or leather seats that boast headroom heating, are offered in a choice of three palettes, with the S line supporting an additional black or admiral blue alternatives on top of that.

our navigation route along the mallorcan coast, shines clearly thanks the display’s luminous intensity of 800 candelas
image © designboom

sticking to the interior, the AUDI virtual cockpit – a groundbreaking technology advancement – displays all information in brilliant, high-contrast 3D graphics. this 12.3 inch TFT monitor shows the navigation map, central tachometer and infotainment options, and can be controlled via natural speech or free text search. the MMI terminal, a cluster of operating instruments, governs it by featuring a rotary pushbutton that can enter, scroll and zoom. the newly developed digital display sums up how the third-generation ‘TT roadster’ and ‘TTS roadster’, are a synergy of technology advancements that boosts its sports performance to an even higher level.

the models’ interior resembles that of an aircraft’s wing

the TTS’s seats feature an optional headroom heating

the operating logic system, MMI terminal, features a rotary pushbutton

the TTS roadster in nano gray – a completely new color for AUDI cars
image © designboom

front view of the athletic two-seater TT roadster

the roof retracts into a flat package, even when the automobile is traveling at a speed of around 30 mph

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