The Audi TT clubsport quattro® combines the performance of a sports car with a unique design language. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine has a power output of more than 300 bhp, which is permanently transferred to all four wheels. The cross brace and racing air filter characterise the engine compartment, and the exhaust system emits the genuine sound of motor racing. A pure driving machine.

No hood, no A-post – instead, a wraparound windscreen which is kept extremely low: the exterior of the study painted in Daytona Grey deliberately evokes images of a speedster. The grille and side grille in steely Gun Metal provide a visual contrast. The orange-coloured brake callipers visually link the exterior design to the interior of the study. The panoramic windscreen, rollover bars and two humps instead of the hood compartment underscore the racing character of the Audi TT clubsport quattro®.

The front end is dominated by the single-frame grille which has aluminium inserts to give its design a horizontal emphasis. This makes the TT clubsport quattro appear even flatter than it already is. The four rings of the logo are located on the bonnet. Large air inlets in the front end supply additional air to the more potent TFSI engine. LED daytime running lights provide an eye-catching highlight.

There is a deliberate lack of visual interruptions in the side line of the study and you will look in vain for door handles. The TT clubsport quattro can be opened at the press of a button by remote control. The size of the two exterior mirrors has been minimised. A track width increased by 80 mm, flared wheel arches and size 265/30 R20 tyres make the TT clubsport quattro even more muscular in appearance compared with a production model.

The visible stainless steel rear silencer is the striking feature in the rear bumper. The blade under the rear silencer underscores the sporty character of the study, and the dual-branch exhaust system with its oval tailpipes call to mind the sporty Audi production models such as the RS 4.

Purism as the driving element behind the study is also evident in the interior design: racing bucket seats and four-point seat belts which are three inches wide provide excellent support for both driver and front passenger − even in extreme driving situations, such as on the racetrack. The pedals are made of aluminium. Their grooved structure offers a better grip and also helps to save weight. The door pull and the door opener are both cut-out, a feature which underlines the purist character of the interior.

The gear lever gate and aluminium gear knob adopted from the new mid-engined sports car, the Audi R8, are a joy to behold. Further visual highlights in aluminium include floor mats sporting the TT logo as an inlay. The door sill trim has been moved further inside the car. The sill area has also been restyled compared with the production model. Rather than being interrupted by a sill strip, it now emphasises the width of the car.

The instrument cluster of the Audi TT clubsport quattro® is very different from the one in a production model. Its distinguishing features are the vertical needles and colour graphics. Instead of the middle of the three round air vents in the upper part of the dashboard, an interface is integrated here, designed among other things for the B&O MP3 player BeoSound 2. The player built by Audi’s premium partner fits exactly into the circular opening and is a sheer delight for the senses, both visually and acoustically.

The TT clubsport quattro® is the first new-generation TT with four-cylinder engine and permanent four-wheel drive. Its highly efficient 2.0 TFSI engine has an even higher output than on the Audi S3: the turbocharged unit with petrol direct injection breaks the 300 bhp barrier. S tronic direct-shift gearbox and ceramic brakes underscore the racing character of the study.

A glimpse into the engine compartment of the TT clubsport quattro provides a fascinating sight: thanks to the absence of superfluous cables and auxiliaries, the engine compartment looks extremely clean. The engine has deliberately not been hidden under a cover. A racing air filter ensures that the engine takes in a sufficient amount of air. The ABS system, air conditioning and activated charcoal filter have been moved from the engine compartment to the interior. The cross brace running above the engine is a technical stroke of genius. It not only makes the car more rigid, but also contains the coolant expansion tank.

The transmission is new in this performance category. Thanks to its dual clutch, the S tronic direct-shift gearbox changes gear virtually without interrupting the flow of power, a process that goes unnoticed by the driver. The six gears can also be changed manually with gearshifts taking just fractions of a second.

Ceramic brakes are fitted in the TT for the first time. They are absolutely non-fading even after countless sharp braking manoeuvres. Ceramic brakes are already offered for the RS 4, the A8 and the S8, for example, and are enjoying increasing popularity with customers.