New Audi TT will be a sporty electric crossover

• Over 300-mile range expected
• Jacked-up coupe styling
• Not expected until at least 2024

After more than 20 years on sale, the Audi TT is set to undergo a huge transformation in its transition to an electric car. Instead of a small, affordable sports car, the TT nameplate will instead be used for a sleek four-door electric crossover to sit below the flagship Audi e-tron GT.

This new “emotional” model has reportedly been in the works for some time, and seeks to surprise just as much as the original TT did back in the late nineties. Due to arrive no sooner than 2024, the reimagined car will have few direct rivals when it goes on sale, apart from perhaps the Polestar 2 and the BMW i4.

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As you can see from our exclusive images, we expect the new TT to be based on the upcoming Urbansphere concept car and look like a jacked-up version of the larger Audi e-tron GT. Teased in several preview images, the Urbansphere will incorporate a teardrop silhouette to benefit aerodynamics and efficiency, while an aggressive rear diffuser will channel air under and behind the car. When the TT finally reaches production, buyers may also be able to specify Audi’s Virtual Wing Mirrors as seen already on the Audi e-tron SUV; these are likely to be at an additional cost.

We don’t expect the TT’s heritage to be forgotten entirely, however. Our render includes SUV-esque plastic body cladding, reminiscent of the first-generation TT’s flared wheel arches. Despite being an EV, the new car is also likely to have trim on the front bumper to resemble Audi’s trademark hexagonal grille, as seen on the current TT; although, this will inevitably be flanked by a much slimmer pair of headlights, as seen on the Audi A6 e-tron concept car.

Speaking of the A6 e-tron, the new TT will likely sit on Volkswagen Group’s upcoming Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) underpinnings. This will take elements from the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) which will underpin the production version of the A6 e-tron and electric Porsche Macan, as well as the MEB platform that is used on lower-end models such as the Volkswagen ID.3 hatchback and Audi’s own Q4 e-tron SUV.

To remain competitive, the electric coupe will need a range of over 300 miles; the larger e-tron GT can manage around 298 miles on a charge of its 85kWh battery, so we can expect the smaller TT to do even more if fitted with a similarly-sized unit.

Those who are aghast at the death of the beloved sports car as we know it will take comfort in the fact it’s likely to remain on sale until late 2023. Though some may be disappointed by the rapidly diminishing sports car market, this move by Audi may be a shrewd one; sales for this type of car are dwindling as buyers flock towards SUV, and the potential for a coupe-crossover TT could be the perfect compromise.

Want something that’s fast and efficient? Check out our list of the top 10 best hybrid and electric sports cars