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LOS
ANGELES -- During
the Connected Car Expo, Audi took the wraps off its 2016 TTS Coupe
at the Los Angeles Auto Show this November. It was located in
the convention center's concourse in front of a banner highlighting
the automaker's recent partnership with NVIDIA.
The
new TTS features a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine producing 310
horsepower. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. A
diesel version of the TTS may go on sale in the U.S., but that
is not yet known. Audi has shaved about 100 pounds from the weight
of the vehicle by using aluminum on the roof, hood, fenders, doors
and trunk lid. In addition, the trunk features an additional 0.5
cubic feet of space over the previous model.
"First,
of all it's a nice new car, you will certainly see that,"
said Mathias Halliger, chief system architect for connected vehicle
technologies at Audi AG. "If you step inside like we are
right now, you will notice a completely new cockpit. What you
will notice first is these nice fans, but there is no screen in
the middle. We have a driver-centered car. This gives you a digital
experience with your standard gauges. Most of your important functions
can be controlled with your steering wheel. With the view button,
I can change the scenario. In this case, I see a more sporty view.
The RPM is in the center of the screen so I feel like I'm in a
sports car."
The
2016 TTS comes with an MMI infotainment system, which features
the brand’s touch-pad interface, can also be operated from
the steering wheel. The navigation map has moved from the center
console to the dashboard behind the steering wheel. There are
several different themes that can be utilized on the TFT display
depending on the driver's taste.
"We
merged information from the instrument cluster with the infotainment
and other car control functions," Halliger added. "We
can go to the navigation for example. Here I am in something like
the search mode. I can use this new controller you may have seen
on the all-new A3 as well. We optimized this further. This has
now two major keys--they are like a left and a right mouseclick
here. You can write something here. You have can experience the
full-screen map view, which gives you way more information and
confidence."
Look
for the 2016 Audi TT Coupe to hit dealer showrooms beginning sometime
in 2015. Pricing will likely start at around $52,000.
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
The
new TTS is 110 pounds lighter because of its use of aluminum.
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Inside,
a revamped cockpit starts with front seats mounted closer
to the floor for a sportier driving position.
