Could the Audi TT Make a Comeback as an Electric Sports Car in Singapore?

“Audi should have a sports car, for sure,” CEO Gerald Döllner said. And a new concept due out this year could show where Audi is going.

• The head of Audi states that the company requires a sports car, with the TT being considered an iconic model.
• He remains open to the idea that the TT might become an electric vehicle down the line.
• The introduction of an electric TT doesn’t seem certain yet, but it appears Audi is seriously contemplating producing one.

In 1998, Audi introduced one of its most distinctive designs in modern times with the launch of the TT sports car. This model underwent three iterations before being phased out in 2023, achieving sales totaling 662,762 units—a remarkable figure considering it was a compact two-door front-wheel-drive sports vehicle. There may now be a possibility that this model could make a comeback but powered by electricity rather than petrol.

Nothing appears definite just yet, but
AutoExpress
I questioned Audi CEO Gernot Döllner regarding the TT, and he admitted that it is considered an “icon” and stated definitively that “Audi needs to have a sports car.”

When queried about the suitability of electric power for a future TT model, Döllner stated, “For genuine racecars intended for tracks, as far as I’m concerned, the options so far have been limited to internal combustion engines or hybrids. However, if we’re discussing vehicles meant primarily for regular road usage, then I’d certainly foresee a shift towards electrification.”

He continued, “In the long run, there will be room for entirely electric sports cars—not for racing tracks but for traversing the Alps or enjoying winding rural roads.” The capability to charge while pausing for a cup of coffee would be crucial for these vehicles to fulfill such purposes in Döllner’s view.

The TT has historically been built on the same platform as the front-wheel-drive Volkswagen Golf, most recently using the MQB platform, which provided
The most scorching TT-RS variant with A8-level performance capabilities
However, should the upcoming version go electric, it would probably require construction based on a distinct platform, inevitably leading our thoughts towards MQB’s electrical counterpart, known as MEB.

The MEB platform supports vehicles such as
the Volkswagen ID.3
or the
Audi Q4 E-Tron
, supporting both rear- or all-wheel drive configurations. Additionally, there is a more budget-friendly variant of MEB with front-wheel drive intended for use in Volkswagen Group’s compact electric vehicles, such as the production model based on the ID.Elligo concept.

Switching to a rear-wheel-drive architecture would make sense for an electric sports car. Critics have always pointed to the TT’s front-wheel-drive-biased nature as a shortfall, and this would be a good opportunity for Audi to silence them by making something primarily rear-driven.

We also can’t rule out a future model based on the Porsche-Audi jointly developed PPE platform, which is already underway.
the Q6 E-Tron
, and
the new electric Macan
A variant of the same platform is thought to also support the new 719 Spyder and Cayman sports cars.

The Volkswagen Group is developing a new architecture known as SSP, designed to supersede both the MEB and PPE platforms, and it might serve as the foundation for future models.
the electric 718
It plans to launch on a new platform next year (potentially for the 718 model) and offers compatibility across various car designs, delivering between 160 to 1,740 horsepower. This architecture will serve as the foundation for nearly all upcoming electric vehicles within the company’s lineup, which means it might even feature in an electrified version of the TT.

Audi might opt for a less expensive MEB platform to create a rear-wheel-drive TT, making it possible to offer the TT E-Tron at a lower price point similar to the original. This electric vehicle could reasonably retail for about $50,000 rather than the anticipated $80,000 price tag for the forthcoming electric 718. Additionally, this pricing aligns with what a TT built on the PPE platform might ultimately cost as well.

Gernot Döllner expressed his delight at having Massimo Frascella as Audi’s Chief Creative Officer leading the design of their new models. Prior to joining Audi in 2023, Frascella worked with Jaguar-Land Rover, where he played a key role in designing the revamped Defender and the newest Range Rover—both vehicles that garnered positive feedback for their aesthetics.

More On This

• Volkswagen Aims to Counterattack Where It Counts The Most
• The Volkswagen ID: Everyone Gets a Peek at an Accessible EV for the Public
• Volkswagen wasAlready Facing Issues. Tariffs Might Exacerbate the Situation Severely.
• The New Audi A3 Plug-in Hybrid Offers Similar Electric Range as Cars from Ten Years Back
• Audi’s Revamped Electric A2 Seems More Logical Than Expected
• You’ve Never Witnessed an Audi Quite Like This Before

Frascella focuses on designs with straightforward and minimalistic forms devoid of unnecessary embellishments, and all his creations possess a distinct Bauhaus aesthetic. This aligns perfectly with an Audi TT, since the initial design was noted for its sleek, streamlined Bauhaus-inspired form, which has contributed significantly to its graceful aging process over time.

The information from the source indicates that Frascella’s initial significant contribution to Audi since his appointment will be a concept vehicle scheduled for unveiling at the IAA German auto exhibition in Munich during early September. This model could potentially signify a shift in Audi’s aesthetic approach and stylistic trajectory.

A different brand under the Volkswagen Group, Cupra, has previously unveiled a concept car giving a glimpse of a possible production-ready two-door electric sports vehicle.
Cupra DarkRebel
Interestingly, if such a production model were to be created, it might end up costing the same or even more than the electric 718. As a result, it could potentially utilize the PCE platform instead.

We would be thrilled if the TT returned as a well-handling rear-wheel-drive electric vehicle with design elements that pay homage to the classic, yet we should remember that
Audi isn’t performing up to its potential.
, so it might not be prudent to allocate resources for such a project at this moment. The mentioned IAA concept should provide insight into what the car manufacturer is currently focusing on.