Another edition of SEMA has already started and Audi did not miss the opportunity to shine as well. It not only debuted its new line of Audi Sport Performance Parts accessories (we'll be right there) but also exhibited the Audi TT Clubsport Turbo Concept — a TT that seems to have come straight from the circuits.
TT Clubsport Turbo Concept reappears… two years later
The Clubsport Turbo Concept is not, however, an absolute novelty. We had seen him before, in 2015, at the Wörthersee festival (see feature). The muscular appearance (14 cm wider) is justified by the numbers of its propeller. It's the same 2.5-litre five-cylinder as the Audi TT RS, but in this application it starts to deliver 600hp and 650Nm — 200hp and 170Nm more than the TT RS!This is only possible due to the technology employed. The two turbos present are electrically driven, that is, the turbos do not need the exhaust gases to start working. Thanks to the inclusion of a 48V electrical system, an electrical compressor provides the necessary flow to keep the turbos in a constant state of readiness, which allowed them to increase their size and pressure, without fear of turbo-lag.
As in 2015, the inspiration of the Audi 90 IMSA GTO is mentioned again, and now, at SEMA, this connection is reinforced by the new applied color scheme, clearly derived from the “monster” that discussed the IMSA championship in the USA in 1989. Why Audi recovered this concept is raising all sorts of rumors. Is Audi preparing a super TT above the RS?
Audi Sport Performance Parts
Audi debuted at SEMA a new line of accessories focused on boosting performance, divided into four distinct areas: suspension, exhaust, exterior and interior. Appropriately named Audi Sport Performance Parts, it focuses, for now, only on the Audi TT and R8, with the promise of more models in the future.
Both the TT and R8 can be fitted with two- or three-way adjustable coilovers, 20-inch forged wheels — which reduce unsprung masses by 7.2 and 8 kg respectively — and high-performance tires. In the case of the TT coupé and with all-wheel drive, a reinforcement is available for the rear axle, increasing the rigidity and precision of its handling.
The braking system is also optimised: kits are available to improve the cooling of the discs, as well as new linings for the brake pads, increasing fatigue resistance. A new titanium exhaust, developed in conjunction with Akrapovic, for the Audi TTS and TT RS also stands out.
And as can be seen, in both the TT and the R8, Audi Sport Performance Parts also paid particular attention to the aerodynamic component. The aim is to provide more downforce. On the R8 it increases from 150 to 250 kg at its maximum speed (330 km/h). Even at more “pedestrian” speeds, such as 150 km/h, the effects can be felt, as the downforce rises from 26 to 52 kg. In the R8, these new elements are made of CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer), while in the TT they vary between CFRP and plastic.
Finally, the interior can be equipped with a new steering wheel in Alcantara, which includes a red mark on its top and shift paddles in CFRP. In the case of the TT, the rear seats can be replaced by a bar capable of increasing torsional rigidity. It is made of CFRP and guarantees a weight reduction of around 20 kg.
