Inside out: Audi reveals stunning next-gen TT interior at CES 2014

By Stephen Edelstein Published January 7, 2020

Audi is revealing its refreshed compact sports car from the inside out.

The style-icon Audi TT is due for a redesign, and Audi decided that the first thing consumers and journalists should see is the dashboard.

The German carmaker unveiled a TT interior mockup at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show; presumably there’s a car that goes with it.

Audi is known for having some of the best interiors in the business, and really stepped up its game for CES. Instead of conventional gauges, the next TT will have a 12.3-inch LCD screen sitting in front of the driver.

Called a “virtual cockpit” by Audi, it’s a logical evolution of the gauge cluster considering how dials have been crowded out by secondary information screens in everything from Fords to Ferraris.

The LCD display may also draw comparisons with the setup in the Tesla Model S, something Audi probably won’t discourage.

The new layout also eliminates the traditional center-stack screen for Audi’s Multi-Media Interface (MMI) infotainment system, cleaning up the dashboard and putting all of the information within the driver’s line of site.

But is it too much information? To make sense of a potentially mind-boggling combination of GPS directions and engine rpm, Audi will offer the system with two modes.

A classic mode will put the virtual speedometer and tachometer front-and-center, while infotainment mode will prioritize displays – like maps – that were formerly relegated to the center stack.

The system is controlled through buttons on the sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel, or with an updated version of Audi’s MMI rotary controller.

The infotainment rethink has also allowed Audi to make the TT’s dashboard better to look at. It’s taut, curved surface was meant to resemble and airplane wing, the company says, while large, prominently-placed HVAC vents make nice jewelry.

Overall, the TT dashboard is a nice counterpoint to the bloated, screen-and-buttoned-filled affairs of many other carmakers, which seem ready to engulf their drivers in a morass of leather and plastic.

With the new TT’s interior already unveiled, the rest of the car can’t be far behind. Look for it at an auto show in the coming months.

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

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

Cars

Waymo lays groundwork for robotaxi revolution

A Waymo car production line.

In recent years, Waymo has been edging toward its long-held goal of revolutionizing urban transportation by deploying a fully autonomous, scalable, and sustainable ride-hailing service.

The Alphabet-owned company has just taken another step in that direction with the opening of a new vehicle factory in Metro Phoenix, Arizona, in partnership with automaker Magna.

Cars

Ram resurrects 1500 Express trim as an affordable option

ram 1500 express return affordable 2026

Ram is revving up excitement with the return of an old favorite—the 2026 Ram 1500 Express. Reintroduced as a more affordable option in the full-size truck lineup, the Express trim brings back a combination of rugged style, respectable performance, and most importantly, a price tag that won’t send buyers running for the hills.

Starting at $41,105 for the base Quad Cab configuration (and just under $45,000 for the Crew Cab), the new Express offers a budget-friendly alternative in a market where full-size trucks can easily cross the $60,000 mark.

Cars

Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?

jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii 4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.