GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Did Audi Have A Misstep With New TT?

Front end is much better looking than previous versions. Though needs to narrow European plate to look right.

No, the new TT was not a misstep but rather a calculated risk. Audi had no reason to get all crazy with the TT considering 1) it's not a huge seller like the A4 and Q7 and 2) Audi has tremendous momentum both in the U.S. and globally along with a clear brand identity with its large grille so there was no need to risk creating something that loses that identity.

I can't figure out why people think Audi would create something totally different than the previous generation for this car. That simply wasn't going to happen with the TT.

Wait, Nuttie. Please stop contradicting yourself. First you say Audi is creating a whole new design language where models will be easily distinguished from others in the lineup. and this new design language would be dynamic. Now you're excusing the TT for not being dynamic, not taking a risk, and using the same ole large-grille already overly-prevalent in the Audi lineup. Make up your mind.

As far as why would anyone expect Audi to take a risk? Because they said so themselves, didn't they? They stated the new TT would harken back to the original, edgy, TT, that made a statement. This isn't it.

And, apparently, Audi doesn't have a clear brand identity since they have to revisit the styling direction of the A4 and Q7. If it was so clear, there would be no need to restyle.

I am not contradicting myself. Audi has said it will create a new more aggressive and differentiated design philosophy with its upcoming models. The new Audi TT which you see here is actually a less aggressive and differentiated model than what Audi originally wanted to do but it was toned down because Ferdinand Piech wanted the final design to be more like the original TT rather than the aggressive new look Audi was going for.

Audi decided to tweak the A4 and Q7 because it wanted to revise its suspension and design. Audi knows it can't play it safe with the new A4 and Q7 and that is why the A4 and Q7 were further delayed, to ensure that the styling is not the same thing as what you currently see. The same thing is happening with the next R8 to ensure that it too is more aggressive and differentiated than the current version.

Audi has a clear brand identity but took the A4 and Q7 back to the drawing board to make them more aggressive and differentiated than the current models, but the new versions could very well contain Audi's trademark styling cues like the big front grille.

Don't worry, @GermanNut has an Audi crystal ball, and he knows all of the designers and he's on the board of VW. He knows exactly what's going to happen. Just like the new design of the TT. For which there was no press release making excuses for the boring styling.

More like I use information that Audi itself has released as my supporting evidence. Did you ever think why there was a press release indicating the A4 and Q7 were delayed in the first place? Maybe it's because a huge chunk of revenues and profitability are riding on these designs.

@GermanNut I don't think you understand the meaning of the word 'evidence'

The new TT is a HUGE blunder. Sales of the TT are GHASTLY. In MY 2013 (USA) Audi sold just a tick over 2000 TTs for the WHOLE YEAR! Thus making the all new one look like a carbon copy of the current one is sheer idiocy. If anything the TT needed a fresh new look completely devoid of any ties to the slow selling current car.

If they were going to test the water with a new styling direction, the TT would have been a good model to do it with, only being a low volume seller anyway. As it is it's the worst looking Audi in some time.

VW/Audi/Porsche need an "affordable" RWD sports car platform. At VW it would be their "BRZ" and could be called a Scirocco. At Audi it could have been a re-imagined TT as "entry level" coupe below the A5. At Porsche, a new 944, which would slot below the Boxster Cayman.

@ DTMFan

Well said!!!When the first TT hit the market, it was great breathe of fresh air and bold styling. It had style. This new TT just does not have it.

@ GermanNut: You stated above the TT is not a huge seller, so why did AUDI play safe with its design then? They should've done the very opposite and gone risky and if the reaction is positive, extend the new style to the rest of the line.No pain no gain.

Spot on. You have carte blanche to go bananas with a low volume car... especially one that shares a lot of components with your larger volume models. Audi really needs a new look. I drive an A4 and I'm not looking forward to the next one.

Because Audi didn't need to introduce the aggressive and differentiated design philosophy on the TT because even it was met with very positive public perception, it wasn't going to sell in the same volume as the A4 and Q7 anyway.

Audi knows that it needs to debut its aggressive design on its volume A4 and Q7 models and is waiting until then to do so.

If anyone doesn't know, @GermanNut speaks on behalf of Audi, he's been given that privilege by Audi themselves, Audi, as a global company, uses GermanNut to respond to any questions about what might happen in the future. He sits on the board.

...while you sit on a penis.

@nismoZ are you saying there is something wrong with Gay people? Because I don't think they tolerate bigotry on this site. Why don't rather say something about the article or posts, or are you not able to do that?

Who the heck wants a boring looking 2 seater?

Interesting reaction - most everyone agrees that this was not the TT Audi should have created. Now one can understand why the new CEO sent the next generation R8 back for re-design. A boring R8 would be an even worse disaster and huge step backwards for Audi's reputation.

Underwhelmed by exterior...original design had a basic macho machine attractiveness while subsequent designs continue to smooth over edges loosing its appeal.

Audi blew a styling opportunity. The 2010 Quattro concept design should have been adapted to this new TT. That would have really been a cult car and potentially high volume. Instead they have chosen to do a higher end low volume car between the TT and R8. This new TT design is simply OK. I see subtle updates but in reality look more like a refresh. You would never know it is on a new platform.Also I'm a bit tired of this humongus grill.

From the side profile, this TT looks like a Nissan 350Z that shortened and had its edges smoothed out.