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Autonomous Audi TTS Pikes Peak will be Allowed on Public Roads 
The Autonomous Audi TTS Pikes Peak made its first high-speed test runs up Pikes Peak in Colorado back in 2010 and only now the car received the permission to run on the public roads of Nevada. This allows Audi to become the first automaker to receive a license to test its autonomous models on public roads. Sure, the first license went to Google, but the tech giant doesn’t count since it’s not an automaker. Audi’s autonomous TTS was developed in cooperation with the Volkswagen Group Electronics Research Lab in Silicon Valley and Stanford University, and during its first test it completed the 156-turn, 12.42-mile Pikes Peak circuit in just 27 minutes. The autonomous TTS uses two computers in its trunk – one running safety-critical algorithms using Oracle’s Real Time Java (Java RTS) and the other running vehicle dynamics algorithms. These two computers allow the car to handle mundane stop-and-go driving conditions, while allowing the driver to take control over car at any second.
Video: Stanford’s Shelley robo-race car hits the trackOver the past three years, we’ve heard a great deal about Shelley, the autonomous Audi TT-S that was being co-developed between Stanford’s Dynamic Design Lab and the Volkswagen Electronics Research Lab. Development for Shelley began back in 2009 and since then, the car has been blazing its trails, including its successful run up Pikes Peak in 2010. Recently, Shelley was back in the hands of Stanford mechanical engineering Associate Professor Chris Gerdes who brought the car to the Thunderhill tracks for the latest round of high-speed tests and software upgrades. These new digs now instruct her when to brake, how tight to take turns, and when to punch the gas. Better yet, Shelley was able to complete the Thunderhill lap in under two and a half minutes, which isn’t stunningly fast, but otherwise impressive for a machine. Shelley is even getting close to the times achieved by actual human, professional drivers. The testing is still far from completed and Shelley seems to gain new and more important layers in its quest to become one of the first fully autonomous cars. One particular sticking point that has yet to find a solution is the problem of getting a spinning wheel to grip the pavement akin to how it can recover from a slide on a patch of ice. For now, testing and development for Shelley continues on. If you’re interested to see how the latest round of test runs went, you can check out the video above. 2012 Audi TT-S Coupe S-Line Competition
The Audi TT-S Coupe has been pretty much overlooked in the German automaker’s line-up since the arrival of the R8 supercar. But even if that may be the case, the German automaker still sees potential in their baby sports car. So much so, in fact, that they’ve prepared a new trim for the TT-S, called the S-Line Competition. This TT-S Coupe S-Line Competition carries a distinctive look - a little on the RS side of style - that owes itself to Audi’s S Line Sport pack. A wide palette of colors are available to give off that distinctive look, including Samoa Orange, Glacier White, Daytona Gray, and Misano Red. From there, the car will also be treated to specially designed bumpers, air inlets and side sills, S line badges, tailpipe trims, and a unique diffuser insert. In addition, the program also features a fixed rear wing and high-gloss black details on the side mirrors, the diffuser insert, the tailpipe trims, and the rear wing spoiler. Last, but not least, the sports car was also fitted with a lowered suspension and a new set of 19" Rotor design wheels wrapped in 255/35 series tires. Inside, the modifications feature new sport seats dressed in leather, perforated Alcantara upholstery, special door sill trims, an aluminum-look trim, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and matte brushed aluminum.
2011 Audi TTS
Along with the release of the TT version, Audi also revealed a facelift version for the more powerful Audi TTS. Like the TT, the TTS will also go on sale this summer with minor changes made to the price list. The TTS is powered by a 2-liter TFSI engine, that now received a larger turbocharger and many additional modifications obtaining a total output of 272 hp (7hp more than the previous model) while the torque remains at 258.15 lb-ft of torque from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. The sprint from 0 to 60mph is now made in 5.2 seconds while top speed is limited to 155 mph. The TTS comes standard with the Audi magnetic ride adaptive shock absorber technology, the Sport button, and a high-performance brake system. The car also gets new 18-inch wheels with size 245/40 tires and a new grille combined with chrome air inlets. A new color combination – spectral silver/black – is available for the interior. Updated 05/26/2010: Audi has revealed today new images of the Audi TTS Coupe version. The pictures reveal an amazing orange exterior color and an interior that combines orange with black. Delightful! Press release after the jump. Full story 2010 Audi TTSWhen the German automaker unveiled the Audi TTS in 2008 they wanted to give their sport coupe a more powerful look along with an aggressive design resulting in a TT that would drive like none other. After only two years of being in production, the Audi TTS is entering the 2010 model year better then ever with a 265 HP version of the 2.0 TFSI four cylinder along with a sharper tuned suspension. The TTS will be sold in both coupe and roadster bodies but will only be offered with two trim packages aimed at an upscale market: Premium and Prestige. The TTS distinguishes itself from lesser models with a distinct front and rear fascia as well as LED driving lights and a set of slick 18 inch wheels. Meanwhile the suspension is upgraded to Audi’s magnetic ride control, a technologically advanced unit that constantly monitors what the vehicle is doing and then adapts the firmness of the suspension to suit anywhere from "Normal" to "Sport" driving needs. The TTS comes standard with the high output version of the direct injected 2.0 Liter making a maximum output of 265 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque. The additional power and customized Quattro all wheel drive system helps the TTS accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in only 4.9 seconds, a full second faster than the standard TT. Thanks to Audi’s advanced TFSI technology both the TTS Coupe and Roadster get as much as 29 MPG on the highway. That makes for one very sporty yet economical TT with the coupe starting at $45,900. Full details after the jump. Full story 2009 Audi TTS Pikes Peak
As we announced a few days ago, a group of scientists from Stanford University have created a robotic Audi TTS to race at Pikes Peak. Today Audi has revealed the official details on the car. We are talking about a 2009 Audi TTS, powered by a 2.0L Turbocharged I4 DOHC engine that delivers 265 hp, and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4,9 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155 mph.  The car is controlled via two independent systems: the initial controller development is being done on an XPC target using Matlab and Simulink which are the standard research tools from Stanford’s DDL. The final vehicle controls are being run on ruggedized custom built solutions running a Core2Duo CPU and Solaris operating system that is being developed in collaboration with Sun Microsystems. Full details in the press release after the jump. Full story Stanford creates robotic Audi TTS; hopes to race it at Pikes PeakAnytime you’re stopping on a red light and you see an Audi TTS beside you with no driver in sight, then consider yourself one of the lucky few to have seen the robotic Audi TTS that was developed by a group of scientists from Stanford University. We all know that Stanford has had a long history of producing robotic cars but their latest pet project is far and away the most ambitious undertaking they’ve ever done. To be clear, the robotic Audi TTS is far more than just your run-off-the-mill robot vehicle – if you can even get away saying something like that. The folks from Stanford who created the technological marvel have plans on entering their autonomous ride to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, a rigorous twenty-kilometer race for a car-driven driver, let alone a driverless vehicle. Ambitious as the challenge may be, the robotic Audi TTS clearly has something going for it, not the least of which is posting an ‘unofficial’ speed record for an autonomous car after posting speeds in excess of 130 mph. We all keep talking about the future of vehicles, but advancements regarding automated driving have never reached this stage so you can bet your bottom dollar that this will not be the last time we hear from those folks from Stanford. 2009 Audi TTS by Mcchip-DKR The German ECU tuners, Mcchip-dkr, have come up with program that boosts Audi TTS’s 2.0 Liter TFSI’s output by over 40 HP to a maximum of 315 HP and raise the top speed to 275 Km/h for only 850 Euros. Adding some style to the more powerful Audi is a set of lightweight 19 inch O.Z. Ultraleggeras that bring the package price up to 3840 Euro.
MTM built Audi TTS The German tuners MTM have just released their latest tuning package for the Audi TTS Quattro. The aesthetic upgrades to the TT consist of an 8 piece bodykit and the company’s signature 9 spoke Bimoto rims. The 2.0 liter TFSI engine in the MTM TTS has been boosted to produce 380 HP while 8 piston Brembo calipers handle stopping. More from MTM after the jump. Full story
2009 Audi TTS Coupe and Roadster
Audi today announced pricing on the 2009 TTS Coupe and Roadster. Sales will begin in late 2008 at a price of $45,500 for the TTS Coupe and $47,500 for the TTS Roadster.  The TTS is powered by a 2.0 TFSI engine that delivers (265 hp @ 6000 rpm and 258 lb.-ft. @2500-5000 rpm. The TTS Coupe races from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, and achieves a combined fuel economy of 24 mpg. The TTS Roadster offers comparable performance with a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds and a class-leading combined fuel economy of 24 mpg. Both version are electronically limited to 155 mph. Press release after the jump. Full story
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