Things are looking pretty serious for Audi’s future TT lineup. We’ve reported before about the possible expansion of the TT, making it into various vehicle configurations, but now word from Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi’s development chief, says a new TT body style is currently in development, though he stayed quiet regarding details. The news comes from the TT coupe’s recent launch in Marbella, Spain.
Audi has already released a concept of a TT iteration, the TT Offroad Concept. Back in April 2014 when the concept debuted, Hackenberg said it “provides an insight into how we might envisage a new model in the future TT family.”
This concept comes as Audi recognizes the growing market demand for higher-riding SUVs and crossover. In an interview with Automotive News market analyst Mark Fulthorpe of HIS Automotive said, “Many image- or fashion-conscious buyers are moving to the rapidly growing crossoversector as a means of expressing their taste.” This movement translates into Audi having to expand the TT lineup to include such vehicles in order to keep the TT Coupe and Roadster alive.
Perhaps the best example of this type of model expansion would be Mini Cooper. Its models all share the same basic structure as the conventional three-door hatchback. Mini now builds a five-door, wagon, coupe, convertible, roadster, and SUV versions of its original car.
Segmenting the market in this manner allows automakers to reach potential niche buyers while offsetting development and production costs. Audi would be smart to adopt the practice, at least for the upcoming 2015 TT and its potential family.
Note: Audi TT offroad concept pictured here.
Click past the jump to read more about the future Audi TT crossover.
New Audi TT Will Most Likely Get a Crossover Variant originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 16 September 2014 17:00 EST.
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