EighTT

There's little doubt in my mind that Audi had intended on releasing a TTS. That is, a faster, more sporty version of the current TT.

However, with some of the negative publicity over high-speed accidents involving TTs on the Autobahn in Germany, it is certainly possible that they are rethinking this.

It appears that Audi is working on a release of the Avus (nothing official at this point), which will take styling cues from the TT. I'm thinking that Audi might kill the TTS to concentrate on the Avus. Any other info/opinions?

Lloyd of the Rings

I haven't noticed any RECENT negative publicity. What have you heard?

JustJeff

Even if the TTS is a place holder, or is sold along side the Avus.
It's too easy form the standpoint that the supplier network is already in place, to supply more base parts for a TTS. The Avus is all new design, unknown how many, if any would be cross-over parts.
Late 2001, 2.6 V6 265 hp??

PaulTT

Did you paint your steel wheels?

JustJeff

Nope, they came gloss black.

TTerrell

I would $hit a brick!

strawtarget

<b>Why they wouldn't.</b>

<i>The Avus is much more expensive to produce.</i> That's why they didn't build it (or the ubercool 'Quattro Spyder') to begin with. The cost of creating new tooling for the cars would have rendered either one unprofitable. PERHAPS today's technology and global economic climate might facilitate a cost-effective production of the Avus, but I'm guessing it would still be a huge risk.

<i>The Avus is a Supercar.</i> If they build an Avus, it will not be in the same market segment as the TTS. Not by a longshot. I have read numbers putting the Avus at 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of 211 mph. That's insane stuff. It's a much bigger car than the TT, yet it weighs less. It costs serious bucks to shave that kind of weight from a car... expensive materials and manufacturing techniques. If they build it, I don't think they'd make more than 100 or so per year, and again... it's not in the same league as a TTS. It's not going to complete for sales, and they wouldn't be using the same factory floorspace for an Avus, so it isn't a reason to abandon the TTS project.

<b>Why they would.</b>

<i>The Avus is a supercar.</i> As my January 2001 issue of Car & Driver says, the production of supercars has risen dramatically as of late. A lot of long-dormant marques are back in the action. Perhaps Audi wants a piece of this action.

<i>The "Project Rosemeyer" car</i>, basically a Lambo with a TT/Auto Union GP styled body on top, might be just what you're talking about. Or maybe it's the design study for a possible production supercar. But it's no Avus. Plus, in my opinion, the Project Rosemeyer car is butt-ugly.

<i>Audi likes all-aluminum construction, and the Avus is the poster-car for it.</i> How better to sell A2's than to have a car to point to an say "the technology in your A2 was developed for the Avus".

That's my take on it.
BTW, those ultra-freshly-roasted coffee beans are super, Brad. Yum!!!

strawtarget

Cross-over parts? Maybe the turn-signal stalk. That'd be about it, unless they redesigned the Avus

gtt

the article mentioned "big problems with downforce in fast corners" and that the short wheelbase and other aerodynamic issues diminished it's performance. Fast in a straight line though. Sure this is an 8 cylinder engine and built to suit the series but maybe the TT fits it's niche as a street car and another larger performance model more suitable for high power/speed freaks will surface based on another chassis.

Marius

It was introduced as a hot rumor about 18 months ago. It may be something more extreme than the 4-seat A4 coupe (another, newer rumor), or it may turn out to be the same. Either way it will have the engine bay and drivetrain to allow close-to-supercar performance, if Audi wants to do that at a later stage in the development.