By Business & Finance 
Ireland’s motor enthusiasts were treated to an exclusive preview of the new Audi TT at the RDS, Dublin last Thursday night. Guests were the first in Ireland to experience the third generation Audi TT in advance of its much-anticipated launch later this year.
While the all new Audi TT stays true to its heritage, it also embraces the digital age. It is on sitting into the car that Audi TT fans, old and new, really get to experience the full extent of digital innovation that defines the all new Audi TT.
In particular, the new virtual cockpit, a multi-media interactive (MMI) 12.3-inch panel which sits in front of the driver is a unique infotainment platform. The virtual cockpit is powered by two quad-core processors, one for the virtual cockpit including digital rev counters and speedo, the other for the infotainment functionality like mapping, media playback and high-level search.
The search functionality allows drivers to simply type what they are looking for on the touchpad – an address, a contact, a point of interest or a song title, for example, and the virtual cockpit will retrieve the results. This functionality is supported by in-built 4G data connectivity and long-term evolution, even faster again which helps drive features, such as Google Earth and enabling a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The high-tech experience in the new Audi TT doesn’t stop there and also includes: touch control, natural-language voice recognition and the pioneering Matrix Beam LED headlights. These LED units are set to high beam and can be individually shut off when sensors detect traffic ahead or approaching to ‘divert’ the beam around other road users. Predictive cornering lights that use navigation data to move the cone of light into a bend before the steering wheel is turned.
Fans of the Audi TT’s sporty heritage won’t be disappointed as the all new Audi TT boasts real sports credentials. Not only is it 50kg lighter than the second generation Audi TT, but the new Audi TT also boasts a lower centre of gravity and driving position, is lighter than competition with lower fuel consumption and possesses improved driving dynamics with better handling. The revised quattro all-wheel drive system delivers greater high speed stability and traction.
At launch the new TT and TTS will be available with three four-cylinder engines featuring turbocharging and direct injection. Their power outputs range from 184PS to 310PS. The two TFSI petrol engines and the TDI combine plentiful power with efficiency, and all feature a start-stop system as standard.
Commenting on the launch of the all new Audi TT, Christian Gussen, managing director, Audi Ireland, said: “It is a privilege to host the TT preview event in Dublin to give customers and fans of our iconic model a chance to experience the car for themselves. The new Audi TT is a stunning and innovative piece of design, while the TT’s state-of-the-art technological innovations deliver the ultimate modern sports-car experience from behind the wheel.”
The all new Audi TT will have its market introduction in the fourth quarter of 2014. More information is available here.
