Audi unveils lighter, faster TT concept for upcoming enthusiast gathering

Audi engineers have raged a war on excess weight and to prove its dedication - it has revealed an Audi TT that has shed an incredible 300kg. The TT concept is developed for next month's annual gathering of Audi enthusiasts in Worthersee, Germany. Yet it demonstrates how an intelligent mix of materials can bring about considerable weight savings, even in existing series-production models.

With its innovative hybrid body shell, the stock TT boasts a low body weight of 206kg - excluding detachable body parts which adds another 98kg. The concept's body structure, however, sheds 43kg and with the help of optimised detachable body parts achieves a total weight savings of 100kg.

The use of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) in the rear end, the centre tunnel, the B-pillars and the roof also aids with significant weight savings, as do the magnesium components in the floor and in the hinge reinforcements.

The front brakes with ceramic discs and aluminium fixed callipers and the titanium exhaust system with its single centrally mounted tailpipe and the CFRP wheels with their high-strength aluminium spokes shave off a particularly impressive 20kg.

To further refine the handling of the car, the developers have distributed weight by moving it to the centre of the car wherever it was practical to do so. For example, the lithium-ion starter battery, is located in the interior under the driver's seat.

The TT ultra quattro concept is equipped with a 2.0-litre unit, with a gained power upgrade to 305bhp and 400Nm of torque, that calls for a century dash timing of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of over 273km/h. The modified and reworked four-cylinder engine weighs 25kg lesser - despite the performance increase.

The concept car is painted in a special crystal white, which is complemented by CFRP elements in the roof, the flanks and the tailgate. In the interior the same material also adorns the door trim, the centre console and the cross-bracing that replaces the rear seat bench.

The standard front seats are replaced by fibreglass-reinforced polymer (FRP) bucket seats from the R8 GT, which help to reduce a further 22kg.