Audi TT Gets 180PS 1.8 TFSI

Audi has announced a new engine version for the all-new TT family which will act as the entry-level model. 

From July, the Audi TT will be available with a new 1.8 TFSI engine producing 180PS (178hp) and 250Nm (184lb-ft) of torque from 1,250 to 5,000 rpm.

Performance remains respectable despite the power deficit compared to other TT versions. The Audi TT Coupé 1.8 TFSI with six‑speed manual transmission sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.9 seconds (7.0 seconds with the optional six‑speed S tronic), while top speed is 241 km/h (150 mph).

The TT Roadster 1.8 TFSI with manual transmission needs 7.2 seconds to cover the 0-100 km/h sprint (7.3 seconds for the S tronic version), with a top speed of 237 km/h (147 mph).

In terms of fuel efficiency, the 1.8 TFSI Coupé averages as low as 7 l/100 km (33.6 mpg US), with corresponding CO2 emissions of 129 g/km. The TT Roadster 1.8 TFSI’s combined fuel consumption is 7.1 l/100 km (33.1 mpg US), with CO2 emissions of 132 g/km. 

Prices in Germany for the entry-level Audi TT start from €32,100 ($34,455) for the Coupé and €34,500 ($37,040) for the Roadster.

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Honda S660 Roadster

Honda's journey for a Beat replacement that started with the all-electric 2011 EV-STER Concept and continued with the more realistic 2013 S660 study, is ending with the production S660.

As evidenced by these photos shot at a Japanese port, Honda is ready to ship the production 2015 S660 to dealers across the country. 

The sporty, pint-sized roadster is very close to the 2013 concept of the same name, with only a few modest exterior modifications such as the headlamp and tail light clusters, the grille, the smaller wheels, and if we're not mistaken, the less heavily sculpted door lines. 

Honda also toned down the interior design a few notches removing the futuristic steering wheel, seat designs and the smaller touchscreens. 

The 3.4-meter (134 in.) long S660 revives the spirit of the mid-engine Beat roadster, employing a 660cc (0.66-liter) three-cylinder turbocharged engine with around 63-horses positioned behind the driver, paired to either a CVT, or as you can see in the photos, a six-speed manual turning the rear wheels. 

There have been rumors floating around of an export version named S1000 fitted with a –you guessed it- 1,000cc or 1.0-liter turbocharged engines featuring a slightly wider body and bigger wheels and possibly around 100 or more horses, but we wouldn't get our hopes up for a North American landing any time soon. 

Pictures via Minkara, H/T to Ferd!

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Audi TT Black Edition

Prices for the TT Coupe and Roadster Black Edition Amplified Black range from £31,365 OTR to £36,360 OTR.

The optional package costs £700 and it includes a choice of four metallic or pearl effect colours named Glacier White, Misano Red, Daytona Grey or Samoa Orange, and if the latter is chosen, the interior inlays are finished in the same shade, while in all other cases, inlays are in matt brushed aluminium.

Also included in the Amplified Black package is a black-finished front lip spoiler, black door mirror housings, black TT RS-style fixed rear spoiler, black 19-inch ‘Rotor’ design alloy wheels, a black diffuser insert and blacked out exhaust tailpipes.

Two engines are available with the double black package, the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol with 211PS linked to either front-wheel-drive or quattro all-wheel-drive and the 2.0-litre TDI with 170PS mated to quattro drive only.

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BMW Zagato Roadster Concept

The BMW Zagato Roadster, which was constructed in just six weeks, certainly looks a lot like its fixed-roof sibling.

But that's not a bad thing as the aggressive, “three dimensional” (in Zagato talk) front end with the large air intakes, contoured hood with integral air scoops, the black A-pillars, the sculpted sides and the overall solid stance and minimal overhangs of the concept make for a muscular look.

"Our success in finishing the car in such a short space of time shows what is possible when two successful companies pool their resources," says Andrea Zagato.

"BMW is a high-achieving carmaker boasting a vast well of knowledge and technical capability in this area. When you combine that with our expertise in the creation of micro-series, everything is in place to produce a beautiful model like the BMW Zagato Roadster in double-quick time," he added.

Compared to the Coupe, the Roadster features a lower-slung rear end and an additional line which, BMW says, “forges a visual connection” between the sill and the rear apron and sets of the car’s rear-end nicely.

Of course, there is the issue of the roof – or more accurately, its absence. Instead of a folding hard top, like the standard Z4, BMW and Zagato have opted for a soft top. Mind you, despite being a roadster, it doesn't fail to incorporate the “doppia gobba” or twin roof domes that are a Zagato signature mark in the roof cover panel.

This being an open-top car, Zagato has designed a pair of roll bars for additional protection. “The low, dynamic roll-bars, inspired by an airplane wing, are an eye-catcher that makes the BMW Zagato Roadster recognizable from a distance”, says Zagato’s head of design, Norihiko Harada.

According to BMW, the grey paintwork makes the Roadster’s body look like it is wrapped in a cloak of liquid metal, as it changes from dark grey to light silver, depending on how it is lighted.

Unsurprisingly, the cabin is identical to the Coupe’s. The main difference is that instead of the fixed-roof version’s all-black interior, in the Roadster there’s a lot of brown leather starting from the door sills and extending to the top of the dashboard and behind the seats, including the roll-over bars.

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BMW X Roadster Concept Study

 

Schurmann's concept study is named the X Roadster and from what we can tell by looking at the pictures since the project has not been detailed, it was designed as a mid-engine, two-seater sports car.

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Reptile Roadster by Arthuro Arino

Equipped with a 2.7 L Wankel rotary producing a theoretical 700 hp (552 kW) at 9,000 rpm, a 4-pole electric induction motor and regenerative braking to recharge the batteries, this lightweight / topless roadster epitomizes the long held motoring philosophy that, “less is more”.

With seating for two and what looks like a touch screen entertainment system a la the Nissan GT-R’s multifunction display, the Reptile would – if it existed – offer a fine balance between pure performance, creature comfort and environmental responsibility. Take for instance the rotary engine, which kicks in only when the Reptile’s put in RACE mode.

With looks to die for and a paint scheme possibly inspired by Fiat’s legendary Abarth models, the Reptile is sadly little more than a (very good) illustration. Check out our gallery below and leave your piece in the comments section.

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