New Audi TT cuts emissions and ups power

Audi's new TT has cut emissions by 11 percent compared with its predecessor. Photo / Supplied

Performance and efficiency. That's the impressive new Audi TT in a nutshell according to Audi.

Compared with its predecessor, the iconic compact sports car scores high with an increase in power output of up to 14 percent and a simultaneous decrease in greenhouse gas emissions of 11 percent.

This means that each car in the third-generation TT series saves around 5.5 tonnes of greenhouse gases over its entire life cycle. This includes not just carbon dioxide, but other substances such as methane, nitrous oxide and halogenated organic emissions.

"Our goal is to reduce significantly the overall emissions of each model compared with its predecessor," states Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Board Member for Technical Development at AUDI AG.

"However, it's not just a matter of what comes out of the exhaust pipe. At Audi, we look at the entire product and process chain associated with mobility."

A host of technologies have contributed towards the positive life cycle assessment of the Audi TT, including lightweight construction. Thanks to an intelligent combination of materials, Audi engineers have, for the second time in a row, succeeded in reducing the car's unladen weight. The first model change in 2006 saw weight savings of up to 90 kilograms achieved. With the 2.0 TFSI engine variant of the new TT now weighing in at just 1,230 kilograms, this means that the car is once again around 50 kilograms lighter than its predecessor.

Weight reduction and intelligent lightweight construction measures also have an impact on the vehicle manufacturing process. Here, it has been possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around nine percent, or 800 kilograms - a result that benefits the customers. The new TT generation offers a better life cycle assessment than its predecessor, right from the very first kilometre driven.