Top 6 differences between a new Audi TT and a used second-gen example

By Stuart Johnston

Audi’s TT is now in its third-generation and well into the mid-life area of its current model cycle. The cool thing about all TTs is that the first, second and third-generation cars are evolutionary in looks. So there is still plenty lots of street-cred cache to be had by buying a much more affordable second-gen car, which was sold here between 2007 and 2015. 

Audi’s TT has been an amazing success story. It’s still one of the most affordable “sports cars” on the market, depending on the model you specify. Now in its third generation, introduced in 2015, the TT has always offered a fine blend of involving sporting motoring and looks that have pavement café appeal. For well-priced examples of used Audi TT’s for sale, click here.

Front-wheel-drive and Quattro drive

The essence of the TT has been turbocharged motoring and front wheel drive, although all-wheel-drive versions (quattro) have been offered for some time. This was true of the second-gen TT and is true of the current car. In some ways we prefer the simpler two wheel drive car, as it has a more nimble feel, even though outright grip is improved on the Quattro version.

With the current car, there are a host of differences compared to the second-gen model. Here are our top-six differences between the old car and the new.

Top six differences between a new TT and a used second-generation model       

1. Size:

At first glance the current car and the second-gen car are much the same, dimensionally. In fact the current car is just 2 mm longer than the previous car. The big difference is in the wheelbase. The current car has wheelbase that is 37 mm longer, freeing up more interior space, and offering more stable high-speed handling. For a review on the current generation Audi TT, click here

2. Styling:

The latest car is very much an evolution of both the first and second-generation TTs. The new car has more pronounced sills, re-shaped wheel arches, and the tailpipes are positioned closer to the centre of the car on the latest model. The grille is similar but has crisper outlines with more angles. And the wheel overhangs are shorter on the current car.

3. Engines: 

The second-generation car came in base form with a 147 kW TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder two-litre engine, producing 147 kW. That was the same power output of the VW Golf GTi of that period. However, more powerful versions became available later. For a report on the previous-generation Audi TTS Competition, click here.

The new 2,0-litre four-cylinder mill introduced in 2015 for the basic model pumps out 169 kW. You can now also order a lower-powered 1,8-litre “budget” TT with 132 kW, a 228 kW TFSI version in the TTS, or a top-of-the range five-cylinder TT RS, which offers an attention-getting 294 kW!

4. Performance:

 The TT has evolved to be a serious performance car. The second-generation TT in basic front-wheel-drive, 2,0-litre manual transmission form managed 0-100 km/h in around 6,5 seconds. The latest 2.0 TFSI example does the job in 5,9 seconds. And more powerful versions are available now. The 228 kW TT S Quattro version has a 4,6 second 0-100 km/h, while the 294 kW five-cylinder RS does the job in just 3,7 seconds.  Apart from the 1,8-litre base model, all TTs now boast an electronically-limited 250 km/h top speed.

5. Interior:

The current-generation Audi TT has  excellent digital instrumentation, rather than the analogue instruments of the previous-generation car. A feature we really like is that the navigation display nestles between the rev-counter and the speedo, right in front of the driver.

6. Lights:

The latest LED lights, re-styled of course,  are fitted to the new car, whereas the older car had Xenon lights as the top option.