Geneva 2014: Audi TT Makes The Scirroco Obsolete

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Why do we continue to lust after the Volkswagen Scirocco when the Audi TT exists? They’re similar cars, with a similar shape and if the two were to be sold in North America, their pricepoints wouldn’t be terrible far off one another. The answer is simple – because we must fetishize every vehicle that doesn’t make it to our shores are a priori superior to whatever dull crap is being gobbled up by Americans. Except that the TT has just leapfrogged the Scirocco, and it will be coming to North America.

Based on the MQB architecture, the newest TT will use the same 2.0T motor as the Volkswagen GTI. The base model will come with 230 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. Though it will come in front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is optional), the base TT will weigh roughly 2,700 lbs, or as much as a Scion FR-S, thanks to the weight savings of MQB. A hotter TTS with 310 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque and gets standard all-wheel drive. Audi is even claiming fuel consumption of 34 mpg (likely highway, though they didn’t specify) for the base car. Suddenly, the Scirocco doesn’t seem so enticing anymore.




Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Tosh Tosh on Mar 04, 2014

    I'll say it again: A company that wants to be taken seriously in USA needs to sell its best products in USA. No Scirocco feels like a snub. (Like I was going to buy any VW -- ha, ha, ha...!)

  • Deanst Deanst on Mar 04, 2014

    There must be a design school out there which is telling students to redesign vehicles by changing every part, but not really making any change obvious. Audi and Chevy truck have hired them all.......

  • ToolGuy Why would they change the grille?
  • Oberkanone Nissan proved it can skillfully put new frosting on an old cake with Frontier and Z. Yet, Nissan dealers are so broken they are not good at selling the Frontier. Z production is so minimal I've yet to see one. Could Nissan boost sales? Sure. I've heard Nissan plans to regain share at the low end of the market. Kicks, Versa and lower priced trims of their mainstream SUV's. I just don't see dealerships being motivated to support this effort. Nissan is just about as exciting and compelling as a CVT.
  • ToolGuy Anyone who knows, is this the (preliminary) work of the Ford Skunk Works?
  • Kwik_Shift_Pro4X I will drive my Frontier into the ground, but for a daily, I'd go with a perfectly fine Versa SR or Mazda3.
  • Zerofoo The green arguments for EVs here are interesting...lithium, cobalt and nickel mines are some of the most polluting things on this planet - even more so when they are operated in 3rd world countries.
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