Review: Audi 8S TTS Coupe (2015-on)

Review: Audi 8S.I TTS Coupe (2015-18)

Overview

Released in Australia in October 2015, the Audi 8S TTS Coupe was an all-wheel drive, two-plus-two seat coupe. Manufactured in Gyor, Hungary, the Audi TTS Coupe was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed double clutch transmission (DCT or Audi’s ‘S-Tronic’).

2.0 TFSI engine

Compared to Audi’s standard 2.0 TFSI engine, changes for the TTS Coupe’s CJXG engine included pistons with stronger bolts, new piston rings and reinforced connecting rods, a larger turbocharger which provided maximum boost pressure of up to 1.2 bar, a high-performance intercooler that was integrated into the water circuit (to reduce the temperature of the compressed air) and a compression ratio of 9.3:1. Other features of the engine included:

• The use of indirect injection – to supplement FSI direct petrol injection – at part engine loads to reduce fuel consumption and particulate emissions. As such, FSI injection – which operated at pressures up to 200 bar – was used on start-up and at higher loads;
• An exhaust valve lift system which varied the stroke of the valves in two stages: the camshaft on the intake side could be adjusted steplessly through 30 degrees of crankshaft angle while 60 degrees of adjustment was available on the exhaust side;
• An exhaust manifold that was integrated into the cylinder head and bathed in coolant;
• A lightweight aluminium-silicon alloy cylinder head;
• Two balance shafts which rotated at twice the speed of the crankshaft to reduce vibrations; and,
• Audi’s ‘Start-Stop’ system which could shut down the engine when the vehicle was stationary to conserve fuel.

Although this engine produces peak power of 228 kW for international markets, the Australia-specific output for this engine was 210 kW.

The Audi 8S TTS Coupe could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and had an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h. Over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle, fuel consumption for the 8S TTS Coupe was 6.8 litres per 100 km.

Haldex 5 all-wheel drive (‘quattro’)

The Audi 8S TTS Coupe had a fifth-generation Haldex all-wheel drive system which utilised an electronically controlled and hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch that was located in front of the rear axle differential (at the end of the prop shaft). If there was a loss of front-wheel traction, or such a loss was anticipated by on-board sensors, the clutch would engage to transfer torque to the rear axle ‘in just a few milliseconds’ for a 50:50 front:rear torque split.

As a result of new software which determined the parameters for engagement of the multi-plate clutch, the all-wheel drive system had three selectable modes:

• Efficiency: for maximum fuel efficiency, the rear axle was decoupled such that the vehicle was front-wheel drive only. Nonetheless, all-wheel drive would still be activated before torque was required at all four wheels if a loss of traction was anticipated;
• Auto: the quattro system provided a 90:10 front:rear torque split; and,
• Dynamic: the multi-plate clutch would engage earlier and to a higher degree.

The TTS Coupe also had a torque vectoring function which applied the brakes to the inside driven wheels when cornering to transfer torque to the outside wheels and reduce understeer.

Dimensions and body

Compared to the Audi 8J TTS Coupe , the 8S TTS Coupe was 7 mm shorter (at 4191 mm), 10 mm narrower (1832 mm) and the same height (1343 mm), but had a 37 mm longer wheelbase (2505 mm). Like its predecessor, the TTS Coupe’s body made extensive use of aluminium, including the side sills, roof frame, bonnet, doors and bootlid.

The Audi TTS Coupe could be identified by its broader and flatter single frame grille and V-contoured bonnet. The TTS Coupe also had ‘dynamic’ indicator lights (front and rear) which illuminated sequentially in the direction that the driver indicated.

Suspension

The Audi 8S TTS Coupe had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, four-link rear suspension. As standard, the TTS Coupe was fitted with the third generation of Audi’s adaptive damper control system, ‘Audi magnetic ride’. For Audi magnetic ride, the dampers were filled with magnetorheological fluid and damper resistance could be varied by the application of a magnetic field to the fluid. Audi magnetic ride also enabled the driver to select from comfort, auto or dynamic settings.

Steering

The Audi 8S TTS Coupe had variable ratio, electromechanical steering. The TTS Coupe was also fitted ‘Audi drive select’ as standard, enabling the driver to control engine characteristics and steering assistance via comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency and individual settings.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Audi 8S TTS Coupe included dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with load limiters and pretensioners.

As standard, the TTS Coupe was also fitted with:

• Audi active lane assist: used the front camera to detect lane markings at speeds of 65 km/h and above. If the Audi TTS Coupe approached a lane marking without the driver having previously indicated, the electromechanical steering could provide an adjustment to bring the vehicle back into its lane. Using the MMI system, the driver could determine whether this system should be activated at all times or only before the lane marking was crossed. As an option, the driver could choose to have steering wheel vibrations as a warning signal; and,
• Attention Assist: monitored driver behaviour for signs of inattentiveness and issues a warning tone and visual signal if detected.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Audi 8S TT Coupe received a four star safety rating which included an 81 per cent adult occupant protection rating, a 68 per cent child occupant protection rating and a 64 per cent ‘safety assist’ rating. In the frontal offset test, protection of the front occupants’ heads and thighs were rated as good, though chest protection for the passenger and lower leg protection for both occupants was rated as adequate (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury). Maximum points, however, were awarded in the side impact and pole tests.

Features: Audi 8S TTS Coupe

Standard features for the Audi 8S TTS Coupe included 19-inch alloy wheels in a five-arm facet design, a 155 watt Audi sound system with nine speakers, two bass boxes and a five-channel amplifier, a CD/DVD player, digital radio tuner (DAB+), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm, SDXC card readers and USB), voice recognition, 10GB flash memory, Audi’s MMI navigation plus system with live traffic updates, climate control air conditioning, ‘S’ power adjustable front sport seats, Alcantara seat panels with leather bolsters, cruise control, LED headlights, LED daytime driving lights, a rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles, remote central locking with proximity key (i.e. keyless entry), power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, push-button start, a 12 volt power socket in the luggage compartment, tyre pressure monitoring, a tyre repair kit, trip computer and an immobiliser.

Inside, the 8S TTS Coupe featured Audi’s ‘virtual cockpit’ which utilised a 12.3-inch, high-resolution LCD within the driver’s instrument binnacle. The virtual cockpit enabled the driver to select from two modes –

• Classic: the speedometer and rev counter were in the foreground; and,
• Infotainment: the virtual instruments were smaller to provide room for other functions such as the navigation map.

At the lower edge of the virtual cockpit, the displays for ambient temperature and time were permanently visible.

Specifications

• Specifications: Audi 8S TTS Coupe and TTS Roadster (October 2015)
• Specifications: Audi 8S TTS Coupe and TTS Roadster (December 2016)

Review: Audi 8S.II TTS Coupe (2019-on)

Overview

The Audi 8S.II TTS Coupe was released in Australia in September 2019. Unlike Europe, however, Australia did not receive a more powerful 2.0 TFSI engine (225 kW at 5400-6500 rpm and 400 Nm at 2000-5300 rpm) and seven-speed double clutch.

Visually, the Audi 8S.II TTS Coupe could be identified by a new horizontal blade in its front bumper and, at the rear, a wider diffuser.

Safety equipment

For the Audi 8S.II TTS Coupe, standard safety equipment was extended to include ‘Audi side assist’ which operated at speeds above 15 km/h and used rear radar sensors to monitor traffic up to 70 metres behind the Audi TTS Coupe. If another vehicle approached quickly or was in the driver’s blind spot, a warning LED in the housing of the appropriate door mirror would illuminate. Furthermore, if the driver activated the indicator to change lanes, the LED would blink rapidly to warn the driver.

Features

For the Audi 8S.II TTS Coupe, standard features were extended to include a 680 watt Bang & Olufsen sound system with twelve speakers, heated front seats and ‘Fine Nappa’ leather upholstery.