The all-new Audi TTS represents a new styling direction for the firm’s beloved entry-level sports car. With a new look featuring the latest in Audi’->ke14s design philosophy, the TTS->ke3007 is certainly ripe for some aftermarket loving. The model was only launched in May 2015 and it didn’t take long for ABT Sportsline->ke1753 to jump in front of the line with one of the first tuning programs for the sports car.->ke506

The German tuner is famous for cooking up impressive programs for the Four Rings. Just recently, ABT Sportsline introduced a new kit for the Audi SQ5. It’s also done work on the Audi S8,->ke1900 S1,->ke2837 RS5,->ke2628 and naturally, the previous generation of the TTS.->ke3007

Now that there’s a new TTS in town, ABT Sportsline went back to work, designing a new aerodynamic kit that’s well suited for the proportions of the sports car. The tuner also put in some time dressing up the interior and beefing up the sports car’s suspension. But, anybody who knows of ABT Sportsline’s work, knows that the real highlight of its programs is the engine modification. On that end, ABT didn’t disappoint with what it was able to bring out of the TTS’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

If anybody ever expected anything less out of ABT Sportsline, this program for the new Audi TTS would put all those doubts away.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2015 Audi TTS By ABT Sportsline.

2015 Audi TTS By ABT Sportsline

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Audi TTS By ABT Sportsline
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Pros
Cons

Exterior

There’s no question that the all-new Audi TTS’s design is a dramatic step up from its predecessor. That’s good news for aftermarket shops too since they won’t have the burden of trying to improve a model’s looks while also working on fitting it with the aero kits that they think the car needs. With Audi essentially serving the TTS on a platter, all ABT Sportsline needed was to add new front and rear skirts and a new rear wing to improve its aerodynamic balance.

From a purely cosmetic standpoint, the German tuner also installed mirror covers with silver ABT logos and an exclusive car wrap that’s available in any of the following finishes: glossy, matte, pearl, or metallic.

The last important piece of the puzzle in the exterior is the set of wheels that ABT Sportsline is offering for the new TTS. Customers will have a choice of picking among the firm’s FR, ER-F, ER-C, DR or CR-Design wheels in either 18-, 19-, or 20-inch measurements. Whatever the choice is, the wheels are fitted with Continental sports tires in any of the following sizes: 255/40 R18, 255/35 R19, or 255/30 R20.

Interior

Unlike most of ABT Sportsline’s programs, the interior of the TTS was actually given some attention. The ABT floor mats and the LED-door entrance lights with the tuner’s logo are usually the standard offerings here. But, ABT Sportsline actually went the extra mile by giving the seats, steering wheel, console, and a handful of other interior parts the Alcantara treatment. The Alcantara trim is the perfect complement to the sporty look of the Audi TTS, seamlessly integrating the body’s aggressive design with the cabin’s luxurious amenities.

Drivetrain

As usual, engine modifications on the TTS are extensive. Thanks to its New Generation performance tuning kit, ABT Sportsline managed to squeeze extra power out of the TTS’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The German tuner is even offering two versions of the performance injection program. The first option brings the output up to 370 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque, a steady improvement from the TTS’s standard output of 310 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. There’s also a second version of the New Generation tuning kit. In this setup, output is further increased to 400 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque.

TTS owners who only have the basic 2.0-liter TFSi engine with 230 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of twist under its hood can also avail of ABT’s performance mods. With the kit in place, output for the entry level variant goes up to 310 ponies and 325 pound-feet of torque.

The German tuner didn’t dive into the specifics of the TTS’s improved performance numbers, but given the steady increase in power, the turbocharged TT would be able to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a little under 4.5 seconds, although top speed is likely to remain limited to 155 mph.

Rounding out the drivetrain upgrades is ABT’s new muffler system with four back end pipes and a Y-pipe with a sport-type catalytic converter.

Safety

In light of the aerodynamic upgrades and engine modifications, ABT Sportsline also worked on the TTS’s suspension setup by adding sports stabilizers and wheel spacers, measuring 0.94 and 1.18 inches for the front and rear axles, respectively.

Prices

Pricing for the program will vary depending on the options a customer chooses from the list ABT Sportsline has. The German tuner will be the one to give out the price quote so it’s better if a customer goes directly to the German tuner for any pricing inquiries.

Competition

BMW M235i by AC Schnitzer

When it comes to highly reputable German tuners, ABT Sportsline is one of a few companies that has an impeccable track record of excellence. One other German firm that fits that mold is AC Schnitzer, which is known for building equally impressive kits for BMWs.

Back in 2014, AC Schnitzer unveiled one such program for the entire lineup of the 2 Series Coupe, including the car that’s considered as one of the TTS’s most direct competitors: the M235i.

AC Schnitzer’s program for the 2 Series included an aerodynamic kit made up of carbon-fiber front flippers, carbon-fiber mirror covers, a roof spoiler and a rear skirt protection foil. A carbon fiber diffuser was also available as an added option. Inside, the German tuner replaced the standard handbrake handle, gear knob, pedals, and foot rest with aluminum versions.

Finally, AC Schnitzer gave the lot of 2 Series variants, including the M235i, drivetrain upgrades. In the case of the range-topping model, output was raised from 326 horsepower to 380 ponies. A handful of exhaust system options were also made available, including the sports silencer with chromed pipes or the "Racing Evo" package. The latter, in particular, is available for the M235i, in a dual-tip configuration.

Read our full review here.

Nissan 370Z by Senner Tuning

Back in 2013, noted Nissan tuner Senner Tuning released a program for the previous generation 370Z that can be considered as clear competition for ABT Sportsline’s new kit for the Audi TTS.

The Senner kit might be old compared to ABT’s new program, but the two kits do have a lot of similarities. For instance, Senner also dressed up the 370Z with a handful of cosmetic accessories, including carbon fiber door handles on the exterior and carbon-fiber trim on the speedometer cover, the border strip of the rotary speed sensor, and the covers and inlays of the instrument panel on the interior.

Likewise, Senner Tuning also did work under the hood of the 370Z as it installed an INJEN cold-air-intake system with hydro-shield wind deflector and remapping the ECU of the sports car’s 3.7-liter V-6 engine. The end result is an improved output of 368 horsepower and 299 pound-feet of torque. That’s a nice improvement from the 370Z’s standard output of 330 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque.

Senner Tuning also slapped on a set of 20-inch Work Varianza T1S wheels wrapped in Continental Sport Contact 5P tires sized 245/30R20 up front and 295/25R20 out back. The kit also included a compression and rebound-adjustable KW variation 3-Inox coilover kit and adjustable control levers on the rear axle.

Read our full review here.

Conclusion

ABT Sportsline is a known commodity in the aftermarket tuning scene so there’s no reason for anybody to doubt the firm’s tuning capabilities, especially when it comes to Audis. This new program for the Audi TTS is as professional as they come. It checks off all the requisite needs of the TTS without the model losing its Audi-centric identity.

I’ve always been a big fan of ABT Sportsline’s works and judging by its latest product, I don’t see any reason to change my opinion of the company. It’s top-class through and through, which is really what any customer would want from an aftermarket shop. TTS owners looking for some extra work done on their sports cars would be smart to give ABT Sportsline a look.