It’s hard to look at an Audi and not feel a bit of appreciation for the designer’s eye. The vehicles just seem to meld together so well. The sharp, sometimes aggressive lines that define the Audi sedan lineup hide more than just the horsepower beneath their hoods. There’s also plenty of value between the bumpers.
To help you decide if the 2021 Audi TT — the brand’s smallest platform besides the R8 — is right for you, we’ve put together the following guide. You won’t believe how much horsepower Audi packs into this small frame. However, you should read through to the end before you hop into a dealership, checkbook in hand.
Performance Specifications
Audi allows you to choose between two main engines. The first is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque base. The same engine, stroked out, can also provide 288 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Finally, an inline five-cylinder 2.5-liter turbocharged engine is also an option. It makes 394 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque.
All engines are mated to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is the standard configuration too.
Trimlines and Pricing
If you’re familiar with Audi’s classification of trims, the following trim list won’t surprise you. There are three trim levels available: the TT, TTS, and TT RS.
TT
With a base price of $49,800, the cheapest Audi TT model comes as a coupe. You can also pay $53,900 for the TT Roadster model, which brings the cool factor of being a convertible. However, only the base trim really gets the topless option. Standard features include keyless entry and push-button start, leather seating, and heated front seats. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth, are also standard. A 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system will keep you plenty entertained, along with the sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel, paddle shifters, and 18-inch wheels.
TTS
As you might have guessed, the TTS model receives the stroked-out engine variation of the base model. Additional upgrades include 20-inch wheels, a fancier grille and bumpers, and adaptive suspension. There are also many packages you can purchase as well, which include upgrades such as technology and appearance. This model starts at $59,500.
TT RS
This turbo-powered go-kart includes the 394-horsepower-capable engine and a fancy rear wing to match. Besides plenty of horses beneath the hood, you’ll also enjoy the quad exhaust system, 19-inch wheels, and navigation. One of the coolest things you’ll actually find on all TT models, though, are the vents located in the center of the dash. Replacing the infotainment screen, they not only display temperatures, but “may also be used to adjust the climate control and heated seats.” The TT RS starts at $72,500.
Available Colors
Audi offers the following colors on the 2021 TT.
- Ibis White
- Pulse Orange
- Chronos Gray Metallic
- Florett Silver Metallic
- Glacier White Metallic
- Mythos Black Metallic
- Navarra Blue Metallic
- Tango Red Metallic
Safety Features
The 2021 TT has not yet been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
That said, the 2021 TT doesn’t have much safety on-board. You won’t find forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, or drowsy-driver monitoring. However, you will have access to a rearview mirror, Audi Side Assist, and Audi’s Parking System Plus. Front and rear parking sensors round out the safety features available.
Fuel Efficiency
The base 2.0-liter engine available on the TT Coupe and Roadster achieves 23 city and 31 highway EPA-estimated miles-per-gallon (MPG). The 288-horsepower version of this base engine nearly matches those numbers, with 23 city and 29 highway MPG. Finally, the 394-horsepower 2.5-liter engine makes 20 city and 30 highway MPG.
What Others Are Saying
MotorTrend was wrong. The Audi TT will actually live to see another model year. Despite what many thought, the German automaker has seen fit to let the TT continue to please drivers who really love the connection between driver, car, and the road beneath. After all, who purchases an Audi TT just to drive the kids to school?
We’re pretty sure your offspring would love the speed and style that make the Audi TT so much fun to drive. Okay, so maybe we’re exaggerating a bit. However, the fact remains that his peppy two-seater has quite a bit to offer.
Reviewers at U.S. News loved the “zippy engine performance, sharp handling, and an above-average predicted reliability rating.” Likewise, the folks at Edmunds exclaimed that “performance doesn’t sacrifice fuel economy.” After looking at the staggering horsepower numbers this small coupe is able to put out, alongside the fuel efficiency ratings, it can be hard to believe they match up to the same model.
“No one buys a TT to be practical,” admitted Kelley Blue Book. Sure, the TT may be more of a fun toy than a practical vehicle. But that doesn’t stop CarAndDriver from naming the 2021 TT “satisfying to drive and a treat to behold.” If you want to have some fun behind the wheel, you could do a lot worse than the TT.
There are a few areas where the 2021 TT falls a bit short. The coupe’s rear seat is comically small, according to Edmunds. That means cargo capacity amounts to very little. If you’re looking for a lot of customization, you’d be better off perusing the other Audi sedans.
Stick-shift aficionados will sigh at the fact that Audi doesn’t make the 2021 TT with a manual transmission, especially given how much horsepower lies beneath the hood. The most damning of all, for some buyers, is the lack of standard safety features found in most brand-new models these days. According to KBB, “the TT lacks advanced driver aids such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control.” It’s not that they’re relegated to a higher trim level — they’re just not available at all.
Competitors
With the world turning towards compact SUVs and capable crossovers, small sedans and coupes are feeling the squeeze. This is especially true of the segment in which the 2021 TT finds itself. Competitors are few but fierce. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class shares a similar heritage with the TT, but in many ways the models are starkly different. Another German competitor, BMW, offers both the 2 Series coupe, 3 Series, and Z4. The coupe starts at a lower price and you’ll find more available features on the Z4.
The Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman might be a bit too rich for your blood. That said, one of the only areas where Audi’s interior pales in comparison could be in contrast with the Porsche’s cabin. There’s also the Jaguar F-Type and Lexus RC, two both very different models in their own right.
The consensus between the major reviewers seems to be that the 2021 TT follows the same lane the Mazda Miata finds itself in. It’s merely a coupe for speed and agility’s sake. The TT is “more about style than performance,” says CarAndDriver. However, Audi is quick to remind that “there’s additional muscle there as well.” Whatever your plans with the 2021 TT, we hope they’re as memorable as the year 2020 — if not a more pleasant experience.
The Last Word
The 2021 Audi TT brings the passion of driving back to the seat, steering wheel, and pedals that power this taut machine. We encourage you to visit your local Audi dealership to see the stylish sedans they offer. While you’re there, check out the 2021 TT. Sometimes good things do come in small — and fast — packages.
Source: AudiUSA.com
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