Audi has unveiled the Audi TT clubsport, a 591bhp concept car said to provide ‘a taste of future turbo power’ in one seriously aggressive package.
The TT clubsport was unveiled at the VW tuning event Worthersee Tour. It features a five-cylinder 2.5-litre TFSI fitted with an electric bi-turbo that provides a torque boost of up to 200Nm and a reduction in pesky turbo lag.
At full tilt, the TT Clubsport can produce 591bhp – that’s 237bhp per litre of displacement – and 479lb/ft (650Nm) of torque, helping it reach 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds and top out at 192mph. Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual play a role in the face-tearing performance.
Audi’s electric turbo has two main benefits. For starters, it can rev up to the maximum RPM much faster than a conventional turbo so there’s less lag. Then there’s the fact it can still boost charge pressure even if there’s too little energy left in the exhaust gas. In short, it means more speed.
The difference it makes, according to Audi, is that the clubsport can cover 16 metres in the first 2.5 seconds of acceleration – six metres more than a comparable car without the electric biturbo.
In terms of dimensions, the clubsport is 14cm wider than the standard car it is based on. The rear spoiler, meanwhile, is 20cm wider than the one used on the Sport TT Cup race series car so it should keep the clubsport glued to the floor.
To keep the weight down, the air inlets, side panels, front splitter, side sill trims and diffuser are all made from carbon-fibre reinforced polymer. It also features an electric lifting system so you can avoid scraping the kerb or speed bumps.
370mm carbon-fibre ceramic brake discs at the front and smaller discs at the rear bring the TT clubsport to a halt, while 20-inch six twin-spoke alloys in a mix of gloss and matt black add a touch of style and accommodate suitably fat tyres.
Carbon-fibre reinforced plastic is also used alongside Alcantara for the interior, including on the centre console and doors. The bucket seats are upholstered in coral orange Alcantara and have contrasting stitching for a touch of colour and to match the door mirrors.
Audi technical development bigwig Dr Ulrich Hackenberg said: “The electric biturbo signifies a new dimension in driving enjoyment; it boosts sprinting ability and torque and enables high peak power.
“In our TDI engines, we are close to production readiness with this technology. We are now presenting it in a TFSI – here too, we are the first automaker in the world to do this. For our fans at Wörthersee, we have packaged the electric biturbo in a very sporty show car.”
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