A lot of us can sigh relief as Audi has now officially put an end to the rumours of a ridiculous four-door TT Sportback that had surfaced about a week ago. Unlike Audi's heart-aching rumour of a V6 R8 that lasted several years before it was shot down earlier this year, this unbearable rumour lasted for nine days since the first time it surfaced.
We had earlier reported about the rumour and continuing the same emotions now as well, we could not predict how the four-door iteration would have worked out for the German automaker. Various reports echoed Audi's primary reason for the decision to be diminishing sales figures of the coupe and roadster variants.
Striking all the rumours, Audi's global head of PR, Peter Oberndorfer, rubbished the report. In an interview with Car Advice during the launch of the new A1, he said, "Where the recent stories came from, I don't know. I don't know about a four-door TT."
The idea of a four-door variant was first showcased to us in 2014 as a TT Sportback concept. Then brand's head of R&D, Ulrich Hackenberg had said that the brand was exploring new options for the TT family while other models in the line-up welcomed their Sportback versions.
Audi, however, cannot be blamed for this decline. If this year's financial reports of all the major auto giants around the world have proved anything, it's the redundant popularity of sedans and coupe. Companies are now joining the bandwagon of bringing back vintage nameplates in the modern line-up.
Oberndorfer told Car Advice, "Actually we had the idea of a TT 'family,' so to speak. Not so much anymore." It wasn't just the question of how to turn an icon into a practical offering, nor was it just Dieselgate. Oberndorfer said, "You have to concentrate more and more and think about what you can do and what you can afford." Developing gas and diesel lineups, plus a new EV brand with its lineup isn't cheap.
