Extreme Audi

The 300bhp Audi TT clubsport quattro design study features a powerful engine, state-of-the-art technology and numerous traits borrowed from the world of motorsport, all wrapped up in a minimalist body.

The task for the designers and development engineers was to achieve purism at a premium level and they have done this with no roof and no A-post - instead, a wraparound windscreen has been kept extremely low to deliberately evoke images of a speedster.

The flat, slightly tinted window strip surrounds the cockpit while the two humps located behind the interior in place of the hood compartment are reminiscent of a racing car. The rollover bars familiar from the TT Roadster are kept flatter and are the same height as the sports bucket seats.

The front end is dominated by a typical, but highly exaggerated Audi single-frame grille which has aluminium inserts to give its design a horizontal emphasis.

Unusually, the four rings of the logo are not located in the grille as on most Audi models, but on the bonnet.

The large air inlets in the front end supply additional air to the more potent TFSI engine and LED daytime running lights provide an eye-catching highlight.

A visible stainless steel rear silencer is the striking feature in the rear bumper, while the blade under the rear silencer underscores the vehicle's sports character.

The dual-branch exhaust system with its oval tailpipes also calls to mind sporty Audi production models such as the RS 4.

In silhouette there is a deliberate lack of visual on the Audi TT clubsport, even the doors open by remote control at the press of a button and the size of the two exterior mirrors has also been minimised.

The 20-inch wheels with tyres of size 265/30 R20, set into wider wheel arches, emphasise the car's muscular appearance, as does its track width which has been increased by a total of 80 millimetres compared with a production TT.

Bright colour highlights provide visual touches in the TT clubsport interior, appearing on elements such as the instrument cowl, the armrest and on the back of black leather bucket racing seats (complete with four-point belts).

There is also generous use of aluminium which starts with the steering which is adorned with a twin spoke crafted from the lightweight metal. The pedals are also made of aluminium and exhibit a grooved structure.

The gear lever gate adopted from the new mid-engined sports car, the Audi R8, and the aluminium gear knob are there as well.

Audi designers have came up with a special idea in the field of entertainment. Instead of the middle of the three round air vents in the upper part of the dashboard, they have integrated an interface designed among other things for the B&O MP3 player BeoSound 2.

The racing character of the Audi TT clubsport quattro is underscored by its engine technology which works through all four wheels.

Audi engineers have developed the 2.0 TFSI engine to provide more power than the 260bhp familiar from the Audi S3 so that the turbocharged four-cylinder unit now breaks the magic 300bhp barrier in the main thanks to a modified intake manifold.

The six-speed S tronic direct-shift gearbox is also new and promises to change gear virtually without interrupting the flow of power.

Audi has taken advantage of its wealth of experience with ceramic brakes (already offered on the RS 4, the A8 and S8) to fit them for the first time onto the TT.

While Audi has refused to be drawn on plans for a full production version of the clubsport they have admitted that small-series manufacturing is being considered.