Audi launches TT diesel in Australia
July 17, 2009 by David Twomey
German importer Audi has launched on the Australian market, what it says is, the first series-production sports car in the world to be powered by a diesel engine.
The company says pure sportiness and compelling performance, combined with sensational efficiency is the best description of its newest TT model to arrive Down Under.
We couldn’t help but think that perhaps it also hoped to draw attention away from yesterday launch by rival BMW of the 330d sports sedan – see our First Steer below.
Audi says the all-new Audi TT Coupe 2.0 TDI quattro further cements its reputation for leading performance with TDI technology and clearly expressing the company’s desire to promote Progressive Performance – that is, performance combined with strong efficiency for guilt-free motoring.
The first premium brand in Australia to introduce a TDI engine into every major model line, Audi has now extended its diesel range into sports cars with a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine that delivers power of 125kW and 350Nm of torque.
On average, the TDI in the TT Coupe requires only 5.3 litres of fuel per 100 km, unbeatably low consumption in the sports car segment.
This extreme efficiency also means the new TT 2.0 TDI quattro is completely exempt from Luxury Car Tax, meaning the manufacturer’s recommended price, including GST, is just $70,900.
The TT Coupe quattro 2.0 TDI sprints from zero to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds and achieves a top speed of 226km/h.
The TT’s low weight is a key factor in this impressive performance, tipping the scales at just 1370 kilograms and using the hybrid design pioneered by Audi.
Its forward structure is made from lightweight aluminium and the rear section is comprised of steel, to optimise weight distribution.
The power transmission for the TT Coupe 2.0 TDI quattro is also high-tech. An ultra-efficient, precise and easy-to-shift six-speed manual transmission delivers the engine’s torque to the all-wheel drive, itself featuring a hydraulic multi-plate clutch as its nerve centre.
The clutch can redirect power as needed from the front to the rear wheels with lightning speed.
The chassis, with electromechanical power steering and elaborate four-link rear suspension, is a highly complex structure and guarantees a comfortable ride and surefooted handling.
Tags: Audi TT, Audi TT Diesel
As somebody who has driven this car, I would like to say that it is pretty great. It’s like the Mini Cooper D; just as good as the petrol version but with better economy for a slightly higher price. It also delivers on economy. I test drove one in the city and it did 46 MPG which I think is about seven litres per hundred kilometres so I expect it would do very well on motorways.
It does feel more grown up than the petrol version, but I expect that’s because of the Quattro rather than the diesel. Great car.
The only problem I can think of is that I don’t recall it being more fun than the Mini Cooper D, which costs half the price.
God Audi knows what they are doing in the style department. More than what i can say for Mercedes who have fallen behind. Audis are for the yuppie, BMW for the purist and Mercedes for the badge snob.
Audi’s are for people who want a good car at a good price.
Quote “The TT Coupe quattro 2.0 TDI sprints from zero to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds”
I would call this more of a canter than a sprint. For a “sports car” this sort of launch time was a benchmark 10 years ago.
“hybrid design pioneered by Audi”
“electromechanical power steering”
LOL
Audi cars are the best! It’s a complete and perfect package…style, performance, fuel economy and good price tag. It’s no wonder Audi is one of the top selling and performing car nowadays.
Audi just make really good quality cars with beaut engines and really nice lights. I really cant wait to see that long rumored A7. CLS better watch its back.
Has anyone worked out the benefits of maintaining a diesel in Australia?..(all of the supposed fuel savings vs. higher cost of fuel and maintenance costs)
The benefits are obvious in Europe with a large price difference between diesel and unleaded, but here?
RamSpeed, without doing the maths, $70k for a quattro TT sounds pretty good to me, regardless of engine or fuel type.
Also, the luxury car tax can go **** itself!
Ramspeed – might not make sense in Oz but here diesel in the same price as petrol.
Not sure this car is really about performance more style, something it has plenty of.
Hi folk back but in a limited kind of way
I love it when car companies release diesel sports cars. Why would you bother
Amen to that FORZA….if i wanted my next vehicle to sound like a truck…Id buy a truck….i dont care what anyone says about the noise reduction materials and this that and blah blah blah…at idle or up high, it will always sound like a dam diesel/truck…..
i would rather ride a push bike than buy a diesel sports car…but then again, 10years time it will probably be illegal to drive cars….thanks to AL GORE U LIEING SOB…LIES …LIESSSS…LIESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS…
….u dont like my opinion…sorry bout that…such is life…its too dam short… :)
Why bother with diesel sports cars? Well, they win Le Mans. They’ve got lots and lots of torque, which is lots of fun. They use less fuel.
golfswine or whatever your name is. only a volkswagen loving woodie would like a diesel sports car, seriously you people are a bunch of woodies. When Lamborghini release a diesel I will bare my arse in flinders street. I know a lot of people want to see my butt but unfornuately it will never happen
Very good chance of that, as Lamborghini is owned by Volkswagen nyuk nyuk.
Its actually owned by audi which is owned by Shizenwagen. While my ass points to the ground and while its an italian company they wont be any diesels in their range clatter clatter clunk clunk
Schizen! Veally? You mean , ze same Audi whose name is written in ze Volkswagen Audi Gruppe? Vell, you better not Google Audi R8 TDI because you vill hef a veally nasty surprise in schtore phnar phnar phnar. Schuldt be extvemely nice donken in ze Lamborghini Gallardo, ja? Clatter clatter phnar phnar phnar.
hahaha thats gold Golfy.
God please dont bare your arse Forza, you talking out of it is enough.
Being descreatly cool while helping cool the planet, that’s genious.
I find the whole diesel sports car to be like oxymoron. Sports car should have high revving engine, and no diesel engine can provide that. Modern diesel can be tunned to sound good, produce decent amount of power/torque, but until they can be made to rev to to high rpm, any car with a diesel cannot be considered a true sports car.
Anyway, the TT is by no mean a sports car in the first place. Yes it’s a lot better to drive than the first gen TT, but at the end of the day it’s more of a hot hatch due to its Golf underpinning. One drive of 370z or Boxster will tell you how a ‘real’ sports car should feel like to drive.
For those that wants a small diesel coupe, it’s unfortunate that BMW hasn’t imported 123D coupe, but UK reviews have placed it ahead of TT diesel as a better small diesel coupe, being faster, more powerful AND more economical