Car of the Day - Audi TT Clubsport

Car of the Day - Audi TT Clubsport

Audi stepped into Porsches territory back in 2007 with their interpretation on the “Speedster” formula. The TT Clubsport was first shown at the VW-Audi enthusiast meet called the Wörthersee Tour held in the Austrian Lakes region. 2007 marked the first year of the inclusion of Audi enthusiasts at the lakes which has been know as the GTi event. VW Audi not only brought along the TT Clubsport but it was also the year of the VW Golf GTI W12 650, (see previous COTD).

Most design houses and manufacturers have had a crack at the Speedster style over the years and there have been a few notable ones in this past decade, including the McMerc SLR Stirling Moss and Mini Speedster to name just a couple.

The TT Clubsport holds true to the formula with an extremely cut down windscreen and always open cockpit - a true enthusiasts car where practicality is thrown away in the name of fun and driving purity. The Clubsport uses a highly tuned version of the 2 litre TFSI engine that produces more than 220 kW (300 hp)

Besides the lowering of the windscreen the track was widened by 66 millimeters (2.60 inches) over the standard TT. The rear bumper incorporates a diffuser which frames the two large tailpipes. There is a stainless steel exhaust system that allows the free flowing gases to exit in an aurally tuned state.

The car sits on polished RS4 style 20-inch wheels with 265/30 R20 tyres. The wheels provide a view of the orange calipers and ceramic disc brakes which measure 340 millimeters (13.39 inches) at front and 310 millimeters (12.20 inches) at rear.

Audi planed to produce between 50 and 100 examples on the open-top TT for the Middle Eastern market. Final production figures aren’t available at the time. Hopefully a number of examples escaped to other regions of the world.

If only Audi would do a TT RS Clubsport - that would really be something special.

Rod Halligan