The third-generation Audi TT is due to receive a substantial update next year, marking a midpoint in its lifecycle that began in late 2014. Both prior versions of the TT each have lasted a near exact 8 years in production, making late 2018 to mid 2019 a very apt time to be rolling out a facelift.
Recently, a prototype of the updated TT has been spotted making its due test-related laps around the Nurburgring, with the camouflage only strategically placed around its front and rear fascia, clearly telegraphing that absolutely no change will pertain to its midsection.
As far as facelifts go, this one will won’t be anything extreme. While it might be a noticeable departure from the existing Mk3 TT, according to Autocar and others, the (primarily) front-drive 2+2 compact coupe will adopt even more visual cues from the R8 supercar.
In terms of engines, which is where the more impactful shake-ups are expected to focus on, the range-topping TT RS’ 2.5-litre turbocharged inline-5 is expected to incur a mild boost in tune to beyond 300kW. The rest of the range, though, is likely to remain identical with the exception of minor tweaks to improve efficiency.
Despite some new engines being introduced within the Volkswagen Group, particularly those that are headed to the Mk7.5 Golf, Audi is reluctant to include them in the updated TT. The 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder ‘Evo’ motor, for example, produces less power in its current known tune than the entry-level 1.8-litre that kicks off the existing TT range.
What is up in the air, though, is whether Audi will elect to drop the 2.0-litre TDI. In the years since its launch, and the controversy of diesel engine vehicles in general that have continue to rock the motoring industry, sales of oil burning TTs have dropped to roughly 16 percent of global sales.
While it may not be a low enough number to have Audi shun the TDI entirely, its comparatively dismal sales in key markets might push Ingolstadt to make the facelift an all-petrol affair. For reference, that engine produced 135kW and 380Nm, giving performance roughly equivalent to the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol.
The interior, which was lauded for its ergonomic and minimalistic design that preserved tactile controls as well as acting as a platform to showcase Audi’s innovative Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, isn’t expected to change too much in terms of layout. However, that Virtual Cockpit is slated to receive a significant upgrade both in interface polish and hardware capability.
Given that Audi had previously used the Geneva Motor Show to unveil the present-day TT, an event that has just passed, a similarly major European motor show might be used instead. Namely, the this year’s Paris Motor Show in September. Following that, deliveries for the new TT should begin early 2019.
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