6 Cars the Audi TT Shares DNA With
The Audi TT is part of a family that ranges from Bug all the way up to Bugatti.
1. New Beetle
Audi's TT differs from the late-1990s class of retro classics like BMW's Mini and Volkswagen's New Beetle, by wearing original skin, though the press attributed its design philosophy to the Bauhaus school. While the TT's styling was unique, it shared certain elements, shapes, and purity of form with the New Beetle. This wasn't surprising because both vehicles were designed by the team of J Mays and Freeman Thomas while working out of Volkswagen's California based design studio. The TT and New Beetle each debuted as 1998 models and the resemblance gets closer the deeper under the surface you dig since both cars utilize the same Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform.
2. Audi A3RS
Fans of the original Audi Quattro and its legendary turbocharged 5-cylinder engine were no doubt delighted when Audi announced the production of an all-new 5-cylinder designed by Quattro GmbH, Audi's high-performance division. Unlike many of the powerplants available in other TT's, the 2.5 R5 TFSI is exclusive to Audi—you won't find it in any Seats or Skodas—in fact, if you want it you'll have to buy either a TTRS or an RS3 to get one. And you want one. The first version of the inline 5 developed 355 hp at 5500 rpm, and 343 lb-ft of torque at a super-low 1650 rpm, and propelled the RS version of the TT to a 4.1 second 0-60 mph time (for the S-tronic gearbox-equipped version). The latest iteration has upped those figures to 394.5 hp and 354 ft-lbs of torque.
3. VW Golf GTI
The second generation of the TT, known as the Type 8J, shares Volkswagen Group's A5 (PQ35) platform, which means it shares its fully independent, multi-link rear suspension with Volkswagen's famed, category-defining, Golf GTI. The new suspension was a welcome development, as the Mk1 TT had a few teething problems in that area. In late 1999 both roadster and coupe versions of the TT were recalled to address reports of problematic handling and unpredictability at very high speeds. To that end, Audi added their electronic stability and anti-slip aids, as well as a lip spoiler that some felt blemished the integrity of the original car's clean lines. Though the 8J shares components with the GTI, it was available with some goodies not found on the GTI, such as Audi Magnetic Ride.
4. Audi R8
Both the Mk2 TT and the Mk3, known as the Type FV/8S, share Audi Magnetic Ride with the company's stellar mid-engined R8, which currently starts at a cool $164,900. Magnetic Ride is based on Beijing West Industries' (BWI) MagneRide, which uses dampers filled with magnetorheological fluid that can be controlled electronically, automatically adjusting and adapting to road conditions and allowing drivers to select for a specific ride and handling characteristic.
5. Lamborghini Aventador
Audi's TT and R8 share MagneRide technology with the Lamborghini Aventador, but the TTRS and Aventador share something else: Haldex AWD. The TTRS uses a specially developed version of the Haldex Traction multi-plate coupling system, allowing for electronic control of Audi's all-wheel-drive system. The Haldex system excels at distributing power between a vehicle's front and rear wheels, reacting instantly to slippage. The TT has another cousin that uses Haldex AWD: the Bugatti Chiron.
6. VW Jetta TDI
Being a part of the same automotive group as Lamborghini and Bugatti can be glamorous and undoubtedly has perks, like making the most current technology around available on models lower down the food chain, but occasionally a problem can creep in that effects more members of the family that Volkswagen Group would like. Such was that case with the Group's 2-litre TDI engines, which the TT TDI Quattro has in common with VW's Jetta. The capable and reliable engines were the subject of the notorious Dieselgate scandal when their software was programmed with a defeat device that enabled them to pass US emissions tests but allowed many times more NOx to be emitted under normal driving conditions. The scandal cost VW Group billions of dollars and changed the map of the world for future diesel-powered vehicles. Fortunately, the whole situation acted as a wake-up call to companies like VW Group using widespread platform commonality and going forward economies of scale promise to be a force for good, and on the Audi TT, a force for fun.
For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.