On 23rd March 2012, Audi India launched the TT model, its design icon, at a price of Rs. 48,36,000 at an event in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This new high performance sports coupe will be available for sale at the German manufacturer's outlets in the country from June 2012. The dynamic looks of the model remain its USP, which stands 4187 mm long, 1842 mm wide and 1353 mm high, with a long wheelbase of 2468 mm.
The head of Audi India, Michael Perschke, pulled the covers off the coveted petrol-powered model. On the occasion, he commented, “Dynamic design, enthralling performance and exemplary efficiency – the Audi TT Coupé is an embodiment of a sports car which perfectly characterises the core essence of our brand DNA, ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’. The design icon already sports a fascinating and dynamic appearance and has now been revised to be even more expressive. This high performance sports coupé is targeted at individuals who are dynamic and distinct and ones who aim to seek a sense of freedom. While we focus on the sportiness, at the same time we want to offer our customers the highly efficient and dynamic 2.0 TFSI engine. I am confident that the introduction of the Audi TT will further help us consolidate our leadership position in the sports car segment.”
Drivetrain
A 2.0 TFSI engine powers the Audi TT coupe, which renders peak power of 211 hp and maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1600-4200 rpm. This powerful engine delivers the best combination of sporty performance and unmatched efficiency, which will make this model a powerhouse on Indian roads. The petrol motor is assisted by the quattro permanent all-wheel drive mechanism and S tronic gearbox. Audi TT's powerful engine enables it to move from naught to 100 kmph in just 5.6 seconds.
Unparalleled efficiency
One of the crucial factors for the unmatched performance and world class driving experience of the TT is its body. The frame of the car boasts of Audi Space Frame (ASF) technology. The judicious usage of resources has allowed the company to restrict the total weight of the car to just 206 kg – 140 kg aluminium and 66 kg steel.
Interiors
Sporty design, dynamic elegance and best-in-class fit and finish describe the interiors of Audi TT the best. The appealing accents in the car include new aluminium-like applications, rings, frames and strips in lustrous black. Audi India has taken care of the seats as well by using specially treated leather seat covers that can lower thermal heating by up to 20 degree Celsius when the model is parked under direct sunlight.
Some of the standard equipment present in the TT coupe include symphony audio system, driver information system and automatic climate control system. Another exciting standard accessory of the car is its on-board computer with efficiency programme, which provides relevant data pertaining to consumption on the central display and offers tips for driving the car optimally.
Audi has tasted immense success in the domestic as well as international arena in February 2012. The company sold over 1,06,600 vehicles globally in the period, a rise of 16.6 per cent compared to the same month last year. In the first two months of 2012, the international sales of Audi have touched 202,700 units, an increase of 8.5 per cent. This marks the first time that the automotive giant has clocked over 2,00,000 cars in this period.
Domestically, the company has replicated its international success by rolling out 600 units in the second month of the 2012, a 33 per cent increase over the previous year, when it sold 450 cars. The manufacturer has set its sight on selling 8000 units in 2012, much higher than its sales figure of 5511 vehicles in the previous year. The manufacturer offers Audi A4, Audi A6, Audi A7 Sportback, Audi A8L, Audi Q5, Audi Q7, Audi RS5 Coupé, Audi TT, the super sports car Audi R8 and the Audi R8 Spyder in the domestic market. Presently, it has showrooms in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Mumbai West, Pune and Surat. It is working on strengthening its presence in the country by opening new showrooms in cities like Coimbatore, Delhi West, Lucknow, Nagpur and Mumbai (South).
In 2011, Audi Group was successful in rolling out 13,02,659 vehicles worldwide and declared revenues of €44.1 billion as well as operating profit of €5.3 billion. The manufacturer has production plants in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Győr (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). The Bratislava (Slovakia) unit is used for manufacturing the popular Q7 crossover vehicle. The Aurangabad plant, located in Maharashtra, India, began producing Audi A6 in 2007, Audi A4 at the beginning of October 2008, Audi Q5 in July 2010 and Audi A6 in June 2011. Audi A1 has been in production at the company's Brussels factory since May 2010, whereas the manufacturing of new A1 Sportback model commenced here in 2012 itself. Since June 2011, the company has been building the Audi Q3 model at its Martorell (Spain) unit.
With presence in over 100 nations across the world, the company is responsible for the employment of approximately 64,000 people, with 48,000 personnel in Germany alone. AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft., Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. in Sant’Agata Bolognese (Italy), AUDI BRUSSELS S.A./N.V. in Brussels (Belgium) and quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm are the completely owned subsidiaries of the company.
Audi AG is working on plans to infuse €13 billion on developing new and exciting products and expanding its manufacturing capabilities. This investment is in line with the technological lead that forms the core of its slogan 'Vorsprung durch Technik'. Currently, it is increasing its capacity at Győr (Hungary) and gearing up to begin manufacturing operations at Foshan (China) by the end of 2013.
