Audi->ke14 is coming to the Beijing Motor Show->ke2062 later this month with what looks to be an all-new crossover->ke288 concept that could serve as a preview of the future Q4 crossover, or it could be a preview of an expanded TT->ke1081 lineup. Rumors of this Audi crossover have been circulating for years, and if you take a good look at these photos, it does bear a striking similarity to the Allroad Shooting Brake Concept that we first saw in Detroit last January.

If there's any legs to rumors that Audi is planning to turn the TT into its own sub-brand, then you can see why the company is releasing all these TT-inspired concepts->ke169 recently. It's probably testing the market to see what the reception is going to be for a new sub-brand bearing the "TT" name.

On the flip side, there's also that matter of expanding an already-established family under Audi's roof: the Q SUV->ke145s. At one point or another, the TT Offroad Concept was linked as a potential future glimpse at an Audi Q4->ke3885, the newest model to come out of the Q line, and one that would be slotted in just below the big boy Q5->ke1666 and Q7->ke1083 SUVs and just a hair above the Q3.

What's become apparently clear is that the Audi TT Offroad Concept will play a big role in dictating Audi's future lineup. It's not just because of the new technology it has that can be adopted on other models, but more so on how Audi decides to use the concept relative to the rest of its existing lineup.

Click past the jump to read more about the Audi TT Off-Road Concept.

2014 Audi TT Offroad Concept

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Audi TT Offroad Concept
  • Segment: Array
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 408
  • Torque: 479
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Don’t be surprised if we see a great deal of this concept in Audi’s future crossover lineup. The details are certainly there, specifically how the clam-shell hood and the low, curved roof looks the part of a smaller crossover that should fit in nicely with the rest of Audi’s Q line. Likewise, the large chromed front grille that’s flanked by the sharp and sleek LED headlights are aggressive touches to the overall design.

Of particular note, though, are the wheel arches that appear to have been made from one component and wraps itself the entire concept. That’s something to look out for in future Audi models. Moving to the back, the unique exhaust detail shows a chromed bar with "quattro" lettering that connects the two exhaust pipes.

2014 Audi TT Offroad Concept - Exterior Dimensions

Length

172.8 In.

Width

72.8 In.

Height

60.2 In.

Wheelbase

103.5 In.

Weight Ratio (Front:Rear)

54:46


2015 Audi TT

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Interior

The biggest and arguably most important thing you need to know about the TT Offroad Concept is the number of doors it has. Count them all up because there's four of them. A TT with four doors? Once you move past that fact, you enter a cabin that looks surprisingly cramped, offering space for just four people. You can blame the 2+2 configuration on how the center tunnel console runs the whole length of the interior. Then again, that 2+2 configuration gives the cabin a rather sporty feel.

Slim sport seats with integrated head restraints are in place, possibly as an attempt to give more space for the driver and passenge. Even the instrument panel looks slimmer than usual to help increase knee room.

Two other interesting aspects of the cabin are the multifunction steering wheel and the MMI terminal on the center tunnel console, both of which serve more than just their functional purposes. They also give the driver easier connectivity so he doesn't get distracted when he's out on the road. Likewise, a 12.3‑inch TFT display produces high-quality 3D graphics to go with plenty of neat options, either in classic mode or Infotainment mode

The concept also comes with three Audi Smart Displays, tablets that make for good entertainment for passengers. From DVD watching to TV streaming through Audi connect, the versatility of the Smart Displays ensures that there's no dull moment for those riding the TT Offroad Concept.

Drivetrain

This is where the TT Off-Road Concept really gets interesting. Technically speaking, Audi is touting the concept with a plug‑in hybrid E-Tron quattro powertrain. But the specifics are a little more complicated for my plebeian brain to understand.

Breaking it down, the concept has two electric motors, one at the front axle that produces 53 horsepower and another one at the rear axle that develops 114 horsepower. Those two electric motors are then combined to a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, gas engine that nets 292 horsepower, adding up to a total output of 408 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. That allows the concept to hit 62 mph in just 5.2 seconds to go with a top speed of 155 mph.

Sounds simple enough, right? Not quite.

See, Audi presented the TT Off-Road Concept as a plug-in hybrid, except that thanks to its own ingenuous Audi Wireless Charging, you don't actually need to "plug-in" the vehicle to any outlet because, according to Audi, "a plate with a coil and an inverter (AC/AC converter)" does all the charging for the concept. All you need to do is drive into any one of what sounds like customized parking spots for the TT Offroad Concept, drive into the said plate, and let the let the alternating magnetic field of the infrastructure do its magic, automatically charging the electric motors.

That could work on tailor-made parking spots, but we highly doubt you're going to find those in-ground induction pads anywhere.

2014 Audi TT Offroad Concept - Drivetrain Specifications

Engine

2.0L TSFI 4-Cyl W/ 2 Electric Motors

Gasoline Engine Output (HP @ RPM)

292 @ TBA

Gasoline Engine Torque (LB-FT @ RPM)

280 @ TBA

Electric Motor Output (HP) (Front/Rear)

54 / 114

Electric Motor Torque (LB-FT) (Front/Rear)

162 / 199

Combined Output (HP)

408

Combined Torque (LB-FT)

479

Electric-Only Autonomy

31.1 Miles

MPGe (EU Combined Cycle)

123.8 MPGe

Emissions

72.4 G/Mile

Top Speed (EV Model)

80.8 MPH


Prices

The Audi TT Offroad Concept is still, well, a concept by its definition in automotive parlance. But in the event the concept does get a production future, questions on how much it'll cost is going to be of interest to a lot of people.

Audi's not going to release any estimates because, well, it doesn't need to, given the status of the vehicle. But if you ask us, a price of around $45,000 to $50,000 should be fair, taking into account the sophisticated nature of its powertrain setup.

Just a Concept or Glimpse Into the Future?

This is the big question that, quite frankly, has two right answers and no wrong ones. The Audi TT Offroad Concept is as it is named now, but that doesn't mean Audi's not giving us any hints on what it has in store for the future of both the TT and Q families.

If there's any legs to rumors that Audi is planning to turn the TT into its own sub-brand, then you can see why the company is releasing all these TT-inspired concepts recently. It's probably testing the market to see what the reception is going to be for a new sub-brand bearing the "TT" nonmenclature. We think a TT sub-brand is a great idea, but we're a little partial to the model.

On the flip side, there's also the matter of expanding an already established family under Audi's roof: the Q SUVs. At one point or another, the TT Offroad Concept was linked as a potential future glimpse at an Audi Q4, the newest model to come out of the Q line, and one that would be slotted in just below the big boy Q5 and Q7 SUVs and just a hair on top of the Q3.

What's become apparently clear is that the Audi TT Offroad Concept will play a big role in dictating Audi's future lineup. It's not just because of the new technology it has that can be adopted on other models, but more so on how Audi decides to use the concept relative to the rest of its existing lineup.

Competition

Range Rover Evoque_e

In th event the Audi TT Offroad Concept does make its way into production as either a Q4, or a super-sized TT, it's plug-in hybrid powertrain makes it a unique vehicle that not a lot of other brands have at their disposal.

One of the few vehicles that can boast the same relative level of powertrain sophistication is the Range Rover Evoque_e.

The Range Rover Evoque_e is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that produces 240 horsepower, to go with a 92-horsepower electric motor and a 12.8 kWh Lithium Ion battery pack. Total output falls short of the 408 ponies the TT Offroad Concept has, but at somewhere close to 350 horsepower on its own, the Evoque is by no means a slouch.

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Conclusion

It's hard to pinpoint exactly where the TT Offroad Concept lies in the entire Audi universe. What we do know is that its not just any one of the other concepts the German brand has released in recent years. The technology inside the TT Offroad Concept has a place in Audi's future plans. The concept, itself, also has a place in it.

It's just that there are still questions as to whether the TT Offroad Concept will follow in its name and be part of the rumored future TT sub-brand, or Audi's just trying to deflect attention away from potentially using all of the concept's bells and whistles on the production Q4.