One of the Audi TT’s strengths is that it has been very much an evolutionary design, ever since the first generation was launched in 1998.
The TT took its basic design strain from the famous Auto Union racers of the 1930s, and the shape is accredited to Freeman Thomas and Jay Mays, although the famous Peter Schreyer (now in charge of Hyundai and Kia design) is also strongly linked to the TT.
That TT name, incidentally, is said to have its roots in the successful NSU motorcycle racing machines of the 1930s, which won the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT). NSU, along with DKW, also produced cars, and both later merged with the company now known as Audi.
Facelifted in 2019
The Audi TT is now in its third generation and last year in August a number of significant facelift updates were introduced. Perhaps the biggest change was the introduction of the Audi Virtual Cockpit with a choice of a classic view (speedo and rev counter) taking prominence, or an “infotainment mode” where the Navigation takes pride of place.
Other enhancements include the latest Audi Drive Select handling packages at the touch of a button.
In addition there is an optional, newly-designed S Line exterior package available which includes a front splitter, vertical air inlets, and a Titanium Black radiator grille. More prominent side sills adorn the flanks, while at the rear is a wider diffuser and vertical air channels below the tail lights with three horizontal fins.
For the essential third-gen changes made pre-facelift, you might like to read: Top 6 differences between a new Audi TT and a used second-gen example
The latest line-up
The current model line-up consists of just two basic models. These are the Audi TT Coupe 45TFSI, which features a 169 kW four-cylinder turbocharged engine with a capacity of 1 984 cc. This model uses a 7-speed DSG gearbox and comes only in front wheel drive. The price for this “entry” version is a competitive R670 000.
The quattro model (all-wheel-drive )is known as the Audi TTS Coupe quattro and gets a 228 kW version of what is essentially the same four-cylinder engine. This model, however, uses an S tronic six-speed automatic gearbox. Pricing for the much faster quattro model is quite a bit more expensive at R782 000.
Which model holds its resale value best?
With just the two models on offer (we don’t include the S Line exterior package here as separate models), it is no surprise that the significantly less-expensive front-wheel-drive 45TFSI model is the most popular seller. Many people in this market, it seems, value the high-style looks of the basic TT above the extra grip offered by all-wheel-drive. And they are also prepared to live with a 0-100 km/h time that is some 1,5 seconds slower than the TTS time of 4,9 seconds.
As we have often said in these value-retention articles on various models, a general rule of thumb is that the best-selling new model follows the same trend in the used-car market. There is more demand for a pre-owned 45TFSI as it buys you admission to the TT club at alower price, and thus this is the model that retains the best re-sale value.
For a wide variety of Audi TTs for sale, go to New and Used Audi TTs for sale.
Recommended next:
Top 3 things you need to know about the Audi TT
2019 Audi TTS review - Is the third-gen facelift a pretender or a real rival?