Audi TT Coupe

A rapturous public response to the extraordinary TT Coupé design study unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1995 was the touchpaper that helped to spark full-scale series production of that original concept, seemingly with very few outward changes, in 1998.

Conceived by American designer Freeman Thomas, under the then Head of Design Peter Schreyer, the concept car's minimalist, geometric form evoked the principles of Bauhaus design, a 'less is more' philosophy in which every line has a purpose, and every shape a function. Its purity set it worlds apart from contemporary production models, and it was complemented by an imaginatively designed cabin which carried that geometric theme through into everything from its switchgear and air vents to its many beautiful embellishments in milled aluminium.

This completely new departure from the familiar hallmarks that defined Audi design wasn't, of course, the only exception to the rule. When the wraps came off the concept, AUDI AG was already in the process of bolstering its ongoing transformation with a completely new naming convention for its models in each segment, starting with the successors to its compact executive class 80, executive class 100 and luxury class V8 Saloon, which launched as the A4, A6 and A8 respectively. Rather than fall into line, though, the Audi coupé and roadster stars-in-waiting instead took their name from one of the oldest motorsport events in the world - the famous Tourist Trophy motorcycle race on the Isle of Man. More commonly known simply as the 'TT', the gruelling road race gave rise to great successes on two wheels for NSU and DKW, brands which were to become intrinsically linked with Audi in its formative years. In fact, it had also already provided inspiration for the naming of a sporty compact car produced by NSU, the 1965 Prinz 1000 TT.

/Unlike many concept cars, which fall victim to practical considerations and are 'toned down' in the transition to production, the TT Coupé was lauded at its 1998 launch for reaching the road virtually unchanged. At first glance, the integration of a rear side window was the only significant difference, ensuring that the road car retained the show-stopping 'wow factor' that earned its conceptual ancestor so much international acclaim.

Although there were in fact many other modifications made, not only technically but also in terms of the car's fundamental proportions, they didn't detract from that inherent combination of extraordinarily artful design and beautiful detailing.