Audi’s 408-horsepower TT Offroad concept is a mean (and green) plug-in sports car

By Stephen Edelstein April 21, 2014

Audi announced a couple of weeks ago that it would bring a TT-based crossover concept to the 2014 Beijing Motor Show, but who knew it would be so … yellow?

If it makes it to production with that vibrant hue, the Audi TT Offroad concept could be the perfect car for people still mourning the loss of the Subaru Baja and its optional bright-yellow paint.

However, the TT Offroad promises to be a bit sportier. As advertised, it’s a 2015 TT sports car with four doors, a rear hatch, and more ground clearance. Audi says it represents a possible way to turn the TT into a family of vehicles, as seen with the Toyota Prius and Land Rover Range Rover.

The concept looks about as good as a five-door TT hatchback could, with much of the sports car’s sleek lines preserved, particularly in that in-your-face front end. The body cladding looks like it was taken straight off the Audi Allroad wagon.

While any of the 2015 TT’s powertrains could fit under the hood, Audi went the extra mile and gave the TT Offroad a plug-in hybrid system.

It consists of: the stock TT’s 2.0-liter TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine, an electric motor sandwiched between the flywheel and the S tronic six-speed dual-clutch transmission, a second, rear-mounted electric motor, and a lithium-ion battery pack.

All of that equipment produces a total of 408 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, which should give this little crossover plenty of pep. Audi estimates fuel economy at a stupendous 123.8 mpg, although it’s unclear which rating system it used to come up with that number.

Audi is pretty hot for plug-in powertrains right now, but it’s unclear whether the TT Offroad will make it to production. If it does, it may wear Q4 badging, making it the sporty alternative to the Q3 and Q5, and putting it in direct competition with the 2015 BMW X4.

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Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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