tft display audi tt manufacturer

German automotive component make Bosch has partnered Audi in developing the new Audi TT sports car’s innovative display and operating concept. A display-based instrument cluster replaces the previous technology and bundles all of the instrument, navigation, and multimedia information right in the driver"s field of vision. Audi calls this driver-oriented concept the ‘Virtual Cockpit’. Bosch is the system supplier for this instrument cluster.

The crystal-clear, high-contrast TFT display features extraordinary luminous intensity of 800 candela (cd) for perfect readability under all light conditions. The screen has a diagonal size of 12.3 inches, particularly high resolution of 1440 x 540 pixels, and colour depth of 24 bits.

One of the big advantages of a display-based instrument cluster is its versatility in displaying content. The new Audi TT comes with two basic display modes. The traditional mode shows large, digitally produced round gauges – but there are no mechanical pointers or other moving parts. The second mode trims down the virtual round speedometer and tachometer and shifts them to the lower corners, leaving plenty of room for a large navigation display, music selections or telephone connections. However, the flexibility inherent in the system would permit other displays as well, even allowing differences in the various vehicle models.

The extremely high overall design quality of the display-based instrument cluster is in total compliance with the development requirement for the very best in display quality. It is achieved by the use of a high-performance dual-process architecture. One processor takes care of the graphics while the other handles the remaining functions. Thanks to the exceptionally high computational power, up to 60 frames per second can be generated so that even very fast changes are displayed in a completely seamless flow without any artifacts – an essential requirement for reflecting the specific driving dynamics of a sports car.

In addition, the available computer power is used for the three-dimensional display of objects on the monitor. The most striking visual effect results from the complex, spatial graphics of the round gauges, including shadows, so that they appear to be almost real. The graphics module (VCM – visual computing module) has been especially modified for use in the car.

One special design feature is the display shape with the cropped corners corresponding to the installation space planned for the new Audit TT and a complex housing moulded to match. The instrument cluster is connected via CAN (controller area network) and MOST (media-oriented systems transport) buses.

"We"re going to do some laps, but this isn"t a track car. If I hear anyone complaining about brake fade or lap times I"m not going to be happy." So went the pep talk from Audi leading up to our time with the company"s new TT. And while we got several laps—at the Circuit of the Americas no less, before the Lone Star Le Mans races—there are few things we"d rather do with a new car than get to know it on a world-class circuit. The prospect of our first track time this year only came in second on our list of "reasons we want to drive the new Audi TT." Rather, we were really excited to try out the car"s UI, which the company calls "Virtual Cockpit."

Replacing all a car"s dials and gauges with a single TFT screen isn"t new, but the TT is the first car we"ve driven to start really pushing the idea. It works in conjunction with Audi"s MMI infotainment system—which is really quite good now—letting you do cool things like displaying Google Maps full-screen with overlays for important info from the car. Ambitious UI experiments don"t always succeed, but after several hundred miles the TT"s clever dash thoroughly impressed us. Oh, and the rest of the car wasn"t too bad either. Like the nice man from Audi said, it"s not a track car. Style takes priority over speed, but that"s no bad thing if done properly.

Looking good has always been the TT"s reason for being. It first appeared in 1995 as a concept car, wowing the crowds at that year"s Frankfurt auto show. Three years later the Mk 1 TT went into production, keeping almost all of the concept"s good looks. Underneath it made good use of Volkswagen Group"s parts bin, something that"s always left the car (and the subsequent Mk 2) with accusations of being a "Golf in drag." These days those kinds of insults are somewhat meaningless. Sure, both TT and Golf use VW"s Modularer Querbaukasten (MQB) platform, but so do eight other cars; that"s the entire point of developing MQB. This chassis is a mix of steel for the bits that undergo the most stress and extruded aluminum. The body panels are also mostly aluminum, too, which has helped make the third generation TT 110 lbs (50kg) lighter than the outgoing car.

The exterior styling is an evolution of the first TT"s design, now featuring more hard angles. It"s literally an edgy interpretation of the classic TT, although there are a few R8 styling cues here and there as well. Signature TT design touches are present and correct: the aluminum fuel filler door, the double-bubble silhouette, the large clamshell hood, and fastback rear hatch. The original TT did without a spoiler at first, requiring a recall to fit one (following costly lawsuits) after early owners found that aerodynamic shape generated lift over the rear at speed. Here, there"s a retractable spoiler that rises at speed, which does the car"s appearance many favors. Overall, it is, to our eyes, an extremely attractive car to look at; not a bad thing in this market segment. Advertisement

Inside, things are even better. We"ve said this before, so at the risk of sounding like a stuck record, there really is no volume car maker better at interiors than Audi right now. Again, this was evident back with the original TT and its famous baseball glove seats. You sit low in the car, hugged well by the leather seats (with a frightening amount of electric adjustment). Large turbine-shaped air vents stud the dashboard. Each has a small LCD display at its center, a bit like a Nest thermostat. There are a few toggle switches on the dash (for changing the driving mode, turning on the hazard lights, and turning off the parking sensors and traction control), but almost everything else is handled either with the MMI jogwheel or its mirrored controls on the multifunction steering wheel.

Up front is a 2L TSFI engine, which means gasoline, a turbocharger, and direct injection. Power and torque—220hp (162kW) and 258lb-ft (350nM)—gets sent to all four wheels via a six-speed dual clutch gearbox. In fact, the TT is constantly reading the coefficient of traction at all four wheels (Audi tells us it does this 150 times every 10 milliseconds) as well as the steering angle and yaw rate, altering the torque sent front-to-rear via an electronically controlled (Haldex) clutch between the front wheels via light applications of the brake (this is also how the ESC system works). It will even send all of the available power to the front or rear wheels should conditions demand.

You can choose between different driving modes with a toggle switch on the dash; Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Individual. Dynamic sharpens the throttle response, weights up the steering, stiffens the suspension, and sends the majority of the power to the rear wheels. You also get some quiet (but lovely) pops and parps from the exhaust when shifting up through the gears in Dynamic, even if the engine is otherwise rather aurally anonymous. Comfort takes things the other way as well as telling the gearbox to freewheel when you"re not on the accelerator for better fuel efficiency. Individual—as you might guess—lets you pick and choose different settings for each of these, so you can have a soft comfy ride but sportier engine noise and rearward-biased power delivery, for example. Advertisement

Overall, performance is adequate. If you"re looking for a coupe to take to the track or go canyon carving, Porsche"s Cayman might be a better choice. Zero to 60mph takes about 5.5 seconds, and the car tops out at 130mph (209km/h). But that"s not to say the TT is dull to drive. The dual clutch gearbox (S-tronic in Audispeak) feels a little slow to kick down in automatic, so you"ll want to use the paddles on the steering wheel when making progress. Handling is reminiscent of a Golf GTI, which is no bad thing. Audi was kind enough to arrange for some hot laps at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA to its friends) the morning of the big races, which gave us a chance to push the car in a way we wouldn"t on public roads.

The offer of a few hot laps of a current F1 circuit are usually enough reason to pay for the airfare, and we thoroughly enjoyed driving the TT at COTA. But that was still only the second coolest thing about the TT.

Drive Select allows you to tweak the settings for all these different systems. The way you can tune and adjust cars on the fly thanks to electronics is one of our favorite things about modern cars.

COTA has a marvelous complex of decreasing radius corners, which the TT handled capably, the same going for the track"s wonderful sweeping turn 19. We also got near the car"s top speed on the long back straight. Unfortunately, by the third lap the TT"s tires had picked up enormous quantities of rubber from the track, a consequence of so many different races (and tire compounds) that weekend. Large chunks of tire pickup were being flung at us from the TT in front, and things started to get very understeery. Discretion being the better part of valor, we backed off and cruised around for the remainder of our hot lap session before handing the track over to a parade of more than 100 Porsches.

Artificial washboard effect aside, the TT was extremely effective on the freeways of Texas. The Lone Star state has an admirable approach to highway speed limits, and the TT ate the miles from Austin to Dallas. Active lane assist is available, but sadly there"s no adaptive cruise control. This is a real pity; the one-two combination of these systems takes much of the fatigue out of long road trips in so-equipped cars.

With an exceptionally clear layout. The Audi virtual cockpit is a fully digital instrument cluster that is geared entirely towards the driver. All information appears in a 12.3‑inch TFT display with pin-sharp, high-contrast graphics. Brilliant by design, innovative beyond compare.

The Audi virtual cockpit amalgamates the functions of a central MMI monitor and a conventional instrument cluster within a unique 12.3‑inch TFT display. All functions and services are visualised using brilliant graphics with a three-dimensional feel and detailed effects. The driver has a choice of two views – the classic view and the “infotainment” mode.

The display layout changes depending on the view selected. Whereas the classic view is dominated by the round dials in the form of the speedometer and rev counter, additional functions such as navigation, telephone, Audi connect and media take a more prominent place in the “infotainment” mode. The displays for exterior temperature, time, mileages, as well as the warning and notification symbols appear in a fixed position along the bottom edge of the cockpit in both modes.

The “View” button on the leather-covered multifunction sports steering wheel lets the driver switch between the two interfaces. In the “infotainment” mode, a central window dominates the view that provides plenty of room for displaying the navigation map or the various lists from the telephone, radio and audio functions. It is flanked on the left and right by the rev counter and speedometer, which appear as small round dials.

When the classic view is selected, the central window becomes smaller; the instrument dials – featuring black scales, red needles and white numerals – appear to be about the same size as today’s analogue displays. The LCD screen occupies a prominent position in the dashboard. At the ideal viewing height for the driver.

Besides familiar modes of operation, the MMI control panel now also takes its cue from the world of consumer electronics. The rotary pushbutton continues to be the control “lynchpin”, but the complexity of the operating levels and steps has been greatly reduced. This is because the components of the new MMI are more compact and powerful than ever. This is also obvious from the voice control, which has taken a major step towards operation using natural spoken commands.

To ensure fast, reliable visualisation of content, Audi is the first car manufacturer to work with the Tegra 30 quad-core chip from the Nvidia Tegra 3 series. The graphics processor generates 60 frames per second, thereby making sure that the speedometer and rev counter needles are displayed with absolute precision. The Audi virtual cockpit is capable of showing all manner of different information – from assistance system graphics to the images from the rear-view camera to dynamic vehicle animations.

Introduced at this year"s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Audi"s "virtual cockpit" features a new 12.3 inch TFT-LCDthat integrates the driver"s telemetry and the car"s info-tainment system into a single unit.

In driving mode, the new display takes the form of a traditional, yet sporty, instrument cluster with the driver"s speedo and tach displayed prominently.

Finally, in media mode, the gauges are again pushed to the periphery of the screen while this time, it is the car"s multimedia options that take up the majority of the display.

Some believe that Audi may have another trick up its sleeves. The guys at Engadget speculated that Audi"s omission of the center console may signal their intention to offer the TT with an in-car tablet.

The brushed aluminum-wrapped Audi Smart Display will be powered by an NVIDIA Tegra 4 chipset, and run Google"s Android operating system. The company has not yet revealed the cost of this option.

Since its debut in 1998, the TT has had a love-hate relationship with its status as a trendy fashion accessory. While its popularity with a certain segment of the population drove early demand for the car, the company has struggled to change the public"s perception to that of a serious sports car.

In order to shake the TT"s status as a late "90s fashion icon, Audi had design chief Walter de Silva create a second-generation model featuring a more modern and aggressive aesthetic.

De Silva, the man most famous for designing Audi"s groundbreaking R8 supercar, gave the 2007 Mark II TT sporty, flared wheel-arches and a large, menacing grill, tied together by a higher more athletic beltline.

With the introduction of the virtual cockpit, Audi has transferred this sporting theme to the car"s interior. For the upcoming, third generation TT, Audi reinforces the car"s sporting pretensions with an integrated driver-centric display panel.

It is still unclear which changes Audi plan to make to the display interface between now and production. But we"re looking forward to taking the new model out for a spin as soon as it"s off the line.

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The new TT operating concept has been redeveloped from the bottom up – and in keeping with its thoroughbred sports car character, all elements are focused on the driver. The Coupé features two major brand innovations – the new MMI operating system and the Audi virtual cockpit – a digital instrument cluster.

Razor sharp, bright and high-contrast – the Audi virtual cockpit sets new standards for the automotive industry. Its 12.3-inch diagonal TFT display offers a high resolution of 1440 x 540 pixels. Working away in the background is a Tegra chip 30 from the Tegra 3-series provided by Audi"s partner NVIDIA. Audi is the first automotive manufacturer in the world to use the fast graphics processor. With a clock frequency of over 1 GHz, the quad-core chip, which works with a special 3D-graphics program, is capable of executing eight billion operations per second.

Lavish details complete the state-of-the-art look and set the displays in motion. The rev counter is calculated at around 60 frames per second, so that the virtual needle moves easily and with extreme precision – a new record for the car. The Fresnel effects – which are different display glass reflections depending on the viewing angle – are realistically recreated. Scrolling processes, such as lists, are based on a physical model that takes into account factors such as inertia, elasticity and damping.

The driver can switch between two user interfaces using the "View" button on the multifunction steering wheel. In Infotainment mode, the display is dominated by a central window and offers a large area for the navigation map or the telephone, radio and audio menus. The tachometer and speedometer, the latter including a digital display, are displayed on the left and right as small round instruments.

The classic view is when the central window is smaller and the instruments – with black scales, red pointers and white numbers – are around as big as today"s analog displays. The Audi TTS features a third, sporty mode in which the display is dominated by a central rev counter. The scales are displayed in Anthracite Gray and the numbers and needles are white – typical of the S design.

When displaying information, the Audi virtual cockpit is both flexible and versatile and displays navigation arrows, dynamic vehicle animations, images from the reversing camera or assistance systems graphics. The display changes color depending on the base menu being used: The media menu is usually orange and the phone menu is green. On its lower edge there are fixed displays showing ambient temperature, time and odometer readings, as well as warning and information symbols. LEDs provide information on the coolant temperature and fuel level.

As with all components featured in the new TT, it goes without saying that the Audi virtual cockpit sets the benchmark extremely high in terms of quality. The hardware components were scrutinized during all stages of development and production, while keeping pace with the software development, step by step.

The standards applied during the hardware development process were also as stringent. In the new TT, the Audi virtual cockpit components were put through their paces in quality testing and validation states to cope with stresses that consumer electronic appliances rarely come across – particularly extreme temperatures and high mechanical strains.

For instance, to test the shock resistance the fully installed instrument cluster is shaken and vibrated in three axes. This is where the high-strength and also lightweight, fiber-reinforced supporting structure really plays to its strengths – it provides the foundation for the high level of robustness and durability enjoyed by the Audi virtual cockpit.

Audi has also realized an intelligent management system to ensure that the large display and integrated graphics chip from NVIDIA have a long service life. Active air circulation supplies the display and relevant electronic components with cooling interior air as and when required – and virtually silently as well.

A few months before series production began, the new TT was tested under real customer conditions over thousands of kilometers in final quality tests. The increasing number of software functions and a fully functioning display in the new Audi virtual cockpit at all times and under all conditions are gaining in importance.

Every single display must pass an extensive testing process when it reaches the end of the production line. Part of this process includes testing the optical parameter by a high-resolution camera system, which checks the brightness, contrast and homogeneity and adjusts the colors. This tests also ensure that the display is screwed in flat – after all, even minor warping can compromise the picture quality. This is why an additional sensor continuously monitors the display"s functionality.

Every bit as groundbreaking as the Audi virtual cockpit is the MMI system – the terminal on the center tunnel console and its menu structure have been completely redesigned. The result is a flat hierarchy operation that optimally meets driver needs. The logic resembles that of smartphones and tablets and replaces the static, menu trees including lots of branches with intuitive, easy-to-use logic. One example is that frequently used functions can be accessed with just a few clicks.

The flip buttons for the main base menus – navigation/map, phone, radio and media – are located above the control knob. The general menu button and back button are centrally located under the touch wheel. In each case there is only one button on the left and right-hand sides.

The left-hand button opens the redesigned function menus, which are linked to of the base menus. For instance, the radio menu features band selection and the map menu provides traffic information. Like the right mouse button on a PC, the right-hand button opens context-related options and settings. The driver can use the navigation menu to be guided to a particular destination, to display parking in the vicinity of the destination or to save the destination in the Favorites list. The driver can also open function and context menus by using the rotary pushbutton like a joystick and pushing it to the left or right.

One special feature of the new system is the MMI search function, which is available for all base menus and allows free text input like a search engine. The function usually answers questions after a few letters have been entered and takes the location of the car into account. To search for a restaurant, the driver only needs to enter the name of the restaurant and the first letters of the city – the results will then appear in a list covering the whole of Europe and including addresses. Searching for songs, albums and radio stations follows a similar route.

The voice control system has been further developed and now recognizes many phrases from everyday speech. The concentrated computing power of the Audi modular Infotainment System forms the basis for the new MMI. Now in its second generation – it debuted in the new TT – it uses a super-fast Tegra 30 processor from Nvidia.

A multifunction steering wheel is available as an alternative control option to the MMI, and offers buttons and rollers that can perform a host of operating steps. Without having to look away from the road, the driver can use the steering wheel to perform the same operations as on the MMI terminal, except for the touch gestures.

The workmanshipNumerous interior details demonstrate the high standards set by Audi for the function and quality of all controls. The appeal of the Audi virtual cockpit and MMI terminal lies in their high-precision functions. The round air vents with narrow chrome rings, finely fluted rotating wheels and a new, perforated gear stick deserve special mention. In the Audi TTS, the surface of the instrument panel has a new grain – a strictly geometric pyramid pattern created with an innovative laser process.

Another highlight are the speaker covers in the optional Bang & Olufsen sound system, which have fine grooves instead of the usual holes. A strip of anodized aluminum bearing the logo of the Danish hi-fi specialists engraved in laser runs along the top of the bass speakers fitted in the doors. Between this and the speaker grille is a narrow light guide emitting white LED light. The optional LED interior lighting package accentuates specific highlights around the doors and center tunnel.

All variants of the new TT Coupé roll off the production line complete with a generous standard equipment package. But Audi also offers a range of special equipment in addition to standard features. These include the convenience key, the Start Assist system, the high-beam assistant (for the Xenon plus and LED headlights), the LED interior lighting package, front seat heating and also the storage and luggage compartment package.

The Audi connect system is the ideal complement to MMI navigation plus. It connects the new TT to the Internet using the fast LTE transmission standard.

The integrated Wi-Fi hotspot allows passengers to surf the Internet and email as they wish. The driver can use the Audi connect customized services, from navigation functions using Google Earth images to Google Street View for parking information. Attractive modules complete the range: The Audi phone box offers convenient docking for your cell phone, and the Bang & Olufsen sound system controls 12 speakers via a 14-channel amplifier.

Powerful assistance systems make driving the new TT even more enjoyable. Available options include: Audi side assist with rear radar measurement that makes changing lanes safer; camera-based traffic sign recognition; Audi active lane assist, which offers optional support for the driver with continuous steering correction or warns of unintentional lane changes and park assist with ambient display, which automatically steers the car into suitable spaces.

Ingolstadt/Las Vegas, January 7, 2014 – Puristc, sporty and fully focused on the driver – for the new TT, Audi is significantly advancing its interior design. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas held from January 6 through 10, 2014 the brand with the four rings will, for the first time, be presenting the compact sports car"s new interior, which will be launched on the market in the course of the year.

As Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Technical Development says, "The first Audi TT was the design icon per se, the second generation was even sportier, right through to the TT RS plus with its five-cylinder TFSI and 360 hp. And with the new Audi TT, the driver will be able to experience the technology to an even greater extent – just as would be expected from a genuine sports car. And it comes with a new generation of electronics and connectivity features."

For this reason, the Audi virtual cockpit is the focus of attention for the first time in one of the brand"s production models. The fully digital instrument cluster displays all the information directly in front of the driver, meaning that there is no need for a central MMI monitor. This solution gave the designers the freedom to slim down the instrument panel architecture such that it visually conveys the Audi lightweight construction principle.

With its clear lines and innovative operation, the interior of the next TT generation has been redesigned from the ground up. From above, the instrument panel resembles an airplane wing; set low and with a turbine look about them, the round air nozzles, a classic TT feature, are reminiscent of jet engines. The controls for the air conditioning are also housed in the vents – the adjustment functions for seat heating, and for the temperature, direction and strength of the flow of air are located in their axes, with small displays indicating the chosen setting. Located beneath the central air nozzles, the switches for the hazard warning light and the secondary functions are centrally positioned and easily accessible.

With its brilliant graphics with a 3D impression and highly-detailed effects, the Audi virtual cockpit with its 12.3-inch TFT monitor sets new standards. Drivers can switch between two display modes. In the classic view, the speedometer and rev counter are in the foreground, while in "infotainment" mode, the virtual instruments are smaller. The space that is then created offers ample display space for functions such as the navigation map.

All elements of the new Audi TT operating concept are focused on the driver. The compact sports car"s new multifunction steering wheel features a flat-bottomed rim, with aluminum-look clips framing its spokes. The buttons and controls on the spokes allow you to control almost all functions, including the ultra-modern infotainment system. The menu is structured to reflect that of a smartphone and includes a full-text search function (MMI search). All the main functions are just a few clicks away – the entire operation superbly conveys a new kind of "joy of use". The MMI terminal on the center tunnel console, the second control unit alongside the steering wheel, has also been exhaustively redeveloped. Thanks to the MMI touch, the driver can scroll and zoom in lists and on maps. And accessing other options has been simplified; in future this will be possible using just two rather than four buttons in the area surrounding the rotary pushbutton.

The innovations in the Audi TT interior include the S sport seats with their significantly curved side bolsters, the integrated headrests and the low seating position typical of a sports car. The slender character of the seats is emphasized by bezels on the flanks of the backrest and a cover on the back; the backrest is adjusted using a loop. The side bolsters of the S sport seats can be adjusted pneumatically.

With its clear, sharp lines, the interior as a whole perfectly expresses the new Audi TT"s sporty nature. The center tunnel console, that supports the lower leg when driving fast through a bend, and the door panels boast flowing mutually-reinforcing contours. All the details highlight Audi"s attention to quality – from the design of the gear knob and the precise functioning of the rotary pushbutton to the Audi virtual cockpit.

Audi"s TT, considered by the German maker as its design icon, gets revamped for 2015 and its dash and all-digital cluster made a break from cover at CES. What"s immediately apparent when you hop into the curvy leather-wrapped interior setup at the booth is that the traditional center stack is completely absent. All the information that was once viewable by the entire cabin now seems reserved for the driver alone. It"s decidedly odd that the front passenger no longer has access to the display so we"d suggest that the mysterious Audi 10.2-inch Smart Display we saw earlier this week will feature prominently in the next TT, possibly as standard equipment.

The entire system is simple to use with the 12.3-inch TFT displaying bright colors and easy-to-read fonts. The display features two main modes, including a driving-centric mode where the tach and speedometer are in the foreground; when in navigation mode, they move out to the edges of the screen to offer as much real estate to the maps as possible. The digital dash navigation is done via either steering wheel-mounted controls or the redesigned rotary push-button control mounted on the center tunnel console. A really swish feature of the jog dial sees the top surface of the control act as a touch surface for entering text by scribbling with a finger when required. Now we just need to see the car to wrap around this interior and we"ll be all set, but until then, have a look of the video of the next TT"s infotainment equipment in action.

Audi is establishing a regular presence at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Having shown the Swarm OLED Concept lighting system at last year’s show, the company is now following on with a new version of the Sport quattro concept as well as the introduction of the new TT interior.

It’s not so much the new TT’s interior aesthetic that Audi’s showcasing, but the technology behind the interior. Shown as a ‘virtual cockpit’, with a slimline instrument panel, the interior’s highlight is the driver focus display and a new MMI, which focusses on intuitive use.

The fully digital instrument cluster displays all the information directly in front of the driver, meaning that there’s no need for a central monitor. The solution gave designers the freedom to slim down the instrument panel architecture so that it visually conveys the Audi lightweight construction principles, following the trend towards simplifying interiors by removing excess switchgear.

The heart of the interior is a 12.3-inch TFT monitor positioned directly in front of the driver replacing a conventional gauge pack. Drivers can switch between two display modes: a classic view, with the speedometer and rev counter in the foreground, and an infotainment mode, where the virtual instruments are minimized to feature functions such as the navigation maps in full glory.

When seen from above, the instrument panel resembles an airplane wing. The TT’s characteristic round air vents are set low and have a turbine look about them, reminiscent of jet engines. The controls for the air-conditioner are housed within the vents themselves, with the adjustment functions for the temperature direction and strength of airflow located on their axes. Small digital displays indicate the chosen setting. The overall air of the Audi TT cabin is one of simplification.

The MMI terminal on the center tunnel console, the second control unit alongside the steering wheel, has also been exhaustively redeveloped. Thanks to the MMI touch, the driver can scroll and zoom in lists and on maps. And accessing other options has been simplified; in the future, this will be possible using just two rather than four buttons in the area surrounding the rotary pushbutton.

Besides the technological achievements, the new TT interior also features new ‘S’ sports seats with integrated headrests and a seating position typical of a sports car. The slender character of the seats is emphasized by the bezels in the flanks of the backrest and on the cover, while the back backrest is adjusted using the loop. The side bolsters of the S seats can be adjusted pneumatically.

Visually, it would appear the new TT interior possesses many of the characteristics of a sports car, with a simplified interior enabling a more intuitive driving experience. We’ll just need to wait until it’s in an actual car to see if it delivers on its functional promise.

Audi revealed the eagerly anticipated third generation TT in Geneva, but while it attracted a lot of attention, it was easily one of the more disappointing new designs on show.

Let’s start with the good stuff first. From the cabin the new TT is one of the more progressive concepts of recent times: a driver-centric TFT screen, beautifully clean IP and vents that incorporate all of the climate controls. Though it doesn’t quite have the detailing appeal of the original, it’s incredibly serene…

The first generation TT became a design icon almost instantly when it was launched in 1998, the second generation moved the game on by making it a bit harder and edgier, but the third stab at a redesign was always going to be an issue of contention.

By now, the TT’s got a lot of baggage. People have preconceived notions about what it should and shouldn’t be. That goes a long way towards explaining what went on with the design (and resultant shortcomings) of this new third generation product.

The new car carries forward fundamentals that defined last century’s model — perhaps following the successful blueprint a bit too closely. The fact is that Audi had a chance to really deliver a forward looking new car and chose to go the safe route, incorporating elements that would make it recognizable without alienating prospective buyers.

There’s a lot to be said for that. After all, many buyers have been attracted to the design of the previous models. Why throw the baby out with the bath water?

We caught up with design bosses from BMW, Citroen, Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen catching a closer on the stand in Geneva. Unfortunately none had anything positive to say about the new TT’s exterior design. In fact, it looked so much like a refresh of the second-generation design that most couldn’t believe every body panel and glass element was actually all-new.

What happened to evolving the brand and turning the TT into a true sports car worthy of the race-inspired moniker? Wasn’t that always the TT’s agenda? Isn’t that why the car was shortened and slimmed?

With an important identity like the TT at stake, it’s possible to have too many cooks in the kitchen. But the board members – sitting high on the totem pole ahead of the designers and the engineers — were simply far too reserved to push the aesthetic of this new car forward. Given the availability of MQB platform that’s remarkably short-sighted.

Don’t get me wrong; Audis are great products. They simply ooze quality; their interiors are ergonomically superior to many others; material selection and fit and finish are impeccable; and they provide (for the most part) a rewarding driving experience. In short, they’re some of the best vehicles in the business.

Why then — in this day where design is so paramount in informing the purchasing decision — has there been an overwhelmingly strong urge to ‘design by committee’?

SHOW FLOOR UPDATE: "Getting used to the revised two-button MMI system took no time at all. The digital display set behind the flat-bottom wheel is crystal clear and responsive, and its menus are intuitive and informative as well. The stylized air vents looks cool and the integrated climate controls seem very convenient. I can"t wait to play with all this tech when it finally gets released." -- Nate Martinez

With the next-generation Audi TT slated to arrive sometime this year, the automaker decided to show off the sports car"s new interior at the 2014 CES show in Las Vegas. The new TT may be small, but it will come packing an impressive amount of tech.

For starters, the instrument panel will be fully digitized with a 12.3-inch TFT monitor with two configurable display modes. The classic mode prominently displays the speedometer and tachometer, while an "infotainment" mode brings navigation and audio information to the foreground. Audi says the display will feature "brilliant graphics with a 3D impression and highly-detailed effects."

Next up are the jet turbine-style air vents. Most notable are the three vents located above the center stack. Each vent features a center-mounted display and control knob that adjusts the heated seats and climate control system. Below, a row of buttons control items like the stop-start system and parking-assist sensors. The new TT also gets an updated MMI system that we first saw in In addition to the simplified toggle buttons for navigation, phone, audio, and system settings, the new MMI system gets a fancy rotary knob with an integrated touchpad that will allow users to make handwritten inputs for a number of functions.

Overall, the cockpit is sporty, simple, and focused on the driver. Metallic accents are used on the flat-bottom steering wheel and the center console, while the baseball glove-like leather seats add a nice pop of color. Expect more details on the upcoming TT to arrive in the coming months.

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The next-generation TT will be the first Audi to feature the company’s ‘virtual cockpit’ in production form. The uncluttered design, which removes the central information screen in favour of a large display directly in front of the driver, was previewed on Audi’s Sport Quattro and Nanuk Quattro concepts in 2013.

The production-spec cabin isn’t quite as stripped back as the these show cars, but it’s still more minimalist than the Audi A3, which has one of our favourite new car interiors. In the A3, the manual adjustment for the air-con direction and speed is integrated into the turbine-style vents. Audi has gone even further in the new TT though, integrating even the temperature control function across the three central vents. Meanwhile, the blowers at each end of the dashboard can adjust the heated seats.

Barely changed from the concept car that took the world by storm in 1995, the production TT was something that hadn’t been seen in a main street showroom since the 1960s – a work of art.

The original was a car to be seen, rather than driven, but the second generation took a step toward the territory of “driver’s car.” And the final hurrah of the second-gen TT – the TT RS – took a big step toward driving dynamism.

To prove that point, Audi invited Digital Trends to its headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany to explain just how it made this transformation, and what goes into building one of the most scintillating new cars in the last five years.

Audi gathered together every example of the TT, from concept to newest generation, along with the man responsible for a lot of the design: Jürgen Löffler. With his dark suit and square-rimmed glasses, Löffler looks exactly how you would picture a German designer.

When the Audi TT came onto the scene in 1998, it was a revelation.Sitting down at a desk, he drew out a near perfect design sketch of the new TT in less than a minute. While performing this amazing feat, Löffler explained the transformation from the bubbly original to the taught, focused TT that was springing to life on his page.

To my surprised, Löffler admitted the new TT was designed to look like Usain Bolt. And before you accuse me of being crazy, take a moment to look at the lines. They run taut and continuous like the sinew and muscle of a sprinter, all the way from the grille in the front to the rear spoiler. And with the hunkered-down posture of a pouncing cat, the new TT is far more aggressive than the previous cars.

There are touches of the sinister, too. The Audi rings, for example, are moved from the grille to the hood – just like an R8 – and the headlights look like the staring eyes of a predator.

These elements combined with the taut lines make this TT something decidedly more masculine and bellicose, at least by the subtle standards of German design, than the previous cars.

And those exquisite bodylines? They are all crafted from high-strength, practically aviation-quality aluminum, which make this the lightest TT ever – by more than 120 pounds.

While the reach from Usain Bolt to Audi TT is a big one, the jet fighter inspiration is plain to see in the interior. The wrap-around dash is shaped to look like the leading edge of an aircraft’s wing. And the exhaust nozzles look like the afterburners off an F14, albeit with HVAC controls cleverly built in. This is paired with a relatively simple center console that cocoons the driver – or should I say pilot – to create something a bit special.

The wrap-around dash is shaped to look like the leading edge of an aircraft’s wing.But the heart of the Audi’s new cockpit is the massive MMI screen right where you would expect to see an instrument cluster. Unlike so many other automakers that have shoehorned a small LCD screen in the middle of an instrument cluster, Audi has gone with a foot-wide TFT display that covers absolutely everything from your instrument gauges to your navigation map.

Audi designed the position of both the screen and the seats to ensure the display is visible to the passenger. For those who fear controlling the driver-centered screen from the center console would be an uncomfortable left-handed task for the passenger, it’s no different than if the screen were in the middle.

What’s more, Audi’s head tech engineer admitted to me that internal testing proved centering the infotainment screen in front of the driver is no less or more safe than the “standard” center-mounted system. Which, to me, is neither a positive nor a negative for Audi.

This means the new TT runs two completely isolated chipsets for the different aspects of the system, including a high-end Nvidia graphics processor. The two chips run synchronized down to nearly the microsecond. To ensure the equipment would hold up to the test of time, Audi engineers put it on the rack.

On our visit, Audi showed off its electronics test lab for the first time. Simply put, it’s the place where the electronic components of cars are tortured. It’s bizarre to see the parts of a car all wired to boards and being run through tests. That, however, is just what happens from the moment the car goes through preproduction until production stops.

The real answer is that we won’t know until the car is ready to be driven, which despite my imprecations, Audi insists it isn’t. What we do know is all very encouraging, though.

The car retains the beauty of the original, but now it actually looks like a car that you want to drive rather than just be seen in. Combine together the TT’s lightness and the fact that it boasts the same platform and insane TFSI engine as the S3, and it has the makings of a true sports car. And I should know; I got to drive the S3 while I was Ingolstadt, and my heart practically races to imagine that car with two seats and 500 fewer pounds to carry around.