clubsport quattro - TT Turned Up To Eleven

Ask anyone who's driven the new Audi TT as well as the old one, and theone response you're sure to get is how much better the new car drives. After ensuring as much time was spent on the dynamics as on its exterior styling, the TT has elevated itself from design icon to authentic sports car. Audi is now capitalizing on that sense of sports car purity with a wild new concept vehicle called the TT clubsport quattro.

The clubsport quattro is TT to the extreme; the visual speaks volumes about its performance potential. Daytona Gray, a color reserved for the RS4 and S8, might be stealthy, but the aggressive bodykit certainly isn't, nor is the single-piece mesh grille or the LED headlamps. The clubsport also sits lower to the ground, and is 3.1 inches wider than the standard TT, for improved road-holding. However, the real difference is from the waistline up, where the car is completely unique.

The standard windshield has been replaced by a wraparound windscreen that reduces weight, improves visibility and increases the “wind in the hair” roadster feel. Without theusual power folding cloth top, this special TT now sports a hard tonneau cover that features two archetypal roadster molded humps.

The TT is a pretty quick machine, but the clubsport is sure to be thrilling thanks to an engine transplant from Audi's hot S3. The S3 is the most potent form of the 2.0T engine that Audi offers, featuring heavily modified internal components. With further modifications, it cranks out a full 300 horsepower, a jump of 40 horsepower from the S3, and a full 100 over the base Audi TT. Power is transferred to all four wheels via a Haldex all-wheel drive system and the engine is mated to Audi's superb six-speed S tronic twin-clutch gearbox. In authenticating the “clubsport” name, Audi also fitted additional underbody bracing for further rigidity, and high-performance ceramic brakes – a first for the TT.

No matter how sporting an Audi concept might be, it just wouldn't be an Audi without a stunning, high-quality interior. The designers on the clubsport concept kept much of thestandard TT interior in place, but emphasized its sporting nature with infusions of color and additional aluminum inlays. Contrasting the black of the dashboard and doors are bright orange for the armrest, console, floor mats and instrument bin. The clubsport also gains black and orange racing seats with four-point harnesses, plus the same gearshift knob and gate as the R8 supercar. The biggest highlights of the interior are reserved for the aluminum-spoke steering wheel, driver and passenger foot rests and the Bang and Olufsen BeoSound2 MP3 player, integrated into the center air vent.

The TT clubsport quattro debuted amongst appreciative enthusiasts at the Wörthersee 2007 Audi fan club meeting in Austria yesterday, and hints at what's possible when creativity and pure performance come together at Audi's workshops.