Guide Car

Audi Malaysia officially launched the new Audi TT in the heart of Kuala Lumpur today. The third-generation coupe makes its local debut in a sole 2.0 TFSI variant, priced atRM284,900 on-the-road with GST, without insurance. Audi Malaysia? Yes, Audi AG is now in Malaysia, taking over the wheel from DRB-Hicom subsidiary Euromobil, which will remain as a four rings dealer. More on this later.

The third-generation Audi TT made its debut at last year’s Geneva show, 16 years after the iconic Schreyer-penned Typ 8N shocked the car world. The Mk2 was first seen in 2006, and is a pretty common sight in Malaysia thanks to grey importers.

Measuring 4,180 mm long, the new TT coupe (besides the Roadster, Audi has plans to expand the TT range to include Sportback and possibly “SUV” models) is almost the same length as its predecessor (longer by just 2 mm), but the wheelbase has grown by 37 mm to 2,505 mm, which translates to shorter overhangs. The coupe also a little narrower at 1,837 mm but is no taller than before at 1,353 mm.

Immediately recognisable as a TT, the shape of the latest one is an evolution of the Mk2, but with Audi’s new family face. The hexagonal grille is broader and flatter than before, and sharp contours from its top corners run in a V across the hood, which bears the four Audi rings – no longer inside the grille. The sharp headlamps house xenons and distinctive LED DRLs, and the wheels are 18-inch items with 245/40 rubber.

At the back, a spoiler extends from the trunk lid to improve both air resistance and downforce at 120 km/h, with a very narrow third brake light strip positioned under the edge of it. The LED graphics of the tail lamps mirror their front counterparts, while two large round exhaust pipes are reminiscent of the original TT.

For a more aggressive outlook, the S line package (optional, around RM30k depending on how many boxes you tick) adds on a sharper front bumper (air intakes not connected), sportier sills (not fully straight) and rear diffuser (wider, with mesh design), together with 19-inch wheels (!) and a body that sits 10 mm lower. Also optional are Matrix LED headlamps, for RM9,000.

The two doors open to a minimalist dashboard with the TT’s trademark circular air vents (Mk1 started the trend). The sleek look was made possible by the deletion of the central MMI screen, which is now combined with the instrument cluster to form the Audi virtual cockpit, an impressive 12.3-inch TFT LCD panel with navigation and 3D maps. Further removing clutter are the air con controls, which reside within the turbine-style air vents. Very clean, very cool.

By the way, the car gets MMI radio with MMI Touch as standard, and MMI navigation is available as an option. Elsewhere, the standard Alcantara/leather sports seats in the new TT have integrated head restraints and are positioned lower than in the old car. They are also over five kgs lighter. S line customers get a two-tone interior with contrasting stitching.

The Mk3 TT, which sits on the VW Group’s versatile MQB platform (also underpins the Mk7 Golf and Audi A3 in Malaysia), is around 50 kg lighter than the car it replaces, weighing in at just 1,335 kg for the 2.0 TFSI. The side sills and roof frame are made of extruded aluminum profiles integrated into the structure using cast aluminium nodes. Also in the aluminium are the side sections, roof, hood, doors and trunk lid.

That’s not much weight for the 2.0 TFSI engine’s 230 hp and 370 Nm (from 1,600 to 4,300 rpm) to pull. Paired to a six-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox with steering paddles, the FWD coupe does the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 5.9 seconds before hitting 250 km/h.

On the back of this, fuel consumption of 6.3 litres per 100 km is very good indeed. There’s start-stop, and in the “efficiency” mode of Audi drive select, the S tronic goes into freewheel when your foot is off the gas pedal. Speaking of Audi drive select, it also controls the optional Audi magnetic ride adaptive damper control system, which lets one choose between Comfort, Auto and Dynamic settings.

Also optional is a Bang & Olufsen sound system with a 14-channel amplifier and 12 speakers. The B&O’s woofers in the doors gleam in the dark thanks to an adjustable, discrete light conductor. Yours for RM3,000 extra.

The new Audi TT is priced at RM284,900 on-the-road with GST, without insurance. The warranty is four years or 120,000 km, whichever comes first. Plenty of options for you to tick (find out what they are as well as the list of 10 available colours for the car atCarbase.my), so max price is entirely up to you, Mr. Daredevil.