Audi sets to thrill with its new TT and TTS Roadster

Although the original Audi TT debuted as a coupe, the first design model was actually a drop-top. The first iteration of the TT Roadster debuted in 1999 while its successor was introduced in 2007, and now Audi's well-loved roadster is back in its third generation.

The new TT and TTS Roadster have a powerful and compact road stance thanks to the wide, low grille and the rings on the front hood that are reminiscent of the Audi R8 high-performance sports car, while this aggressive look is enhanced by the standard LED Matrix head lights.

Just like the new TT Coupe, the new TT and TTS Roadster feature the Audi virtual cockpit and with the hood down, the 12.3-inch screen boasts impressive luminous intensity of 800 candelas, which is twice as much as the previous norm in the market. More relevantly, Audi engineers also addressed the challenge of reflections by tilting the upper edge of the virtual cockpit towards the driver.

The interior of the new Audi TT is entirely focused on the driver, with all of the controls inclined towards him/her. Round air-conditioning vents - another TT characteristic - are reminiscent of jet engines and the controls are located on their axes - allowing the interior to be simplistic yet functional.

Both the TT and TTS Roadster feature a new acoustic fabric hood that weighs 39kg, 3kg lighter than before. It deploys in ten seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h and has no compromise on the roadster's generous luggage capacity of 280 litres.

The bodies of the new TT and TTS Roadster represent the latest version of the Audi Space Frame (ASF) technology in a new composite construction of steel and aluminum - allowing for increased structural rigidity as well as safety and makes the roadster the lightest in its class.

Featuring better dynamics, greater safety and more driving pleasure, both the TT and TTS Roadster for Singapore's market will come with quattro permanent all-wheel drive, the six-speed S-tronic transmission and the Audi drive select system.

Powering the TT Roadster is a 2.0-litre TFSI engine that churns 230bhp and 370Nm of torque - accelerating the base model to the century mark in 5.6 seconds, on to a top speed of 250km/h.

On the other hand, the sportier TTS Roadster boasts a 2.0-litre TFSI engine that impresses with 310bhp and 380Nm of torque. The sprint from 0 to 100km/h takes just 4.9 seconds. There are also two sound flaps in the exhaust system that open at higher loads and rpm along the way, making the already sonorous sound in the TT Roadster even more dramatic.

The Audi TT and TTS Roadster are expected to arrive on our shores by the third quarter of this year.