TT Safari

Imagine being given a completely clean slate to go out and reinvent an automotive icon. Well that’s what happened for a group of young Audi trainees ahead of this year’s Wörthersee show, when they were tasked with reinventing the iconic Audi TT.

This is no small task, given that the modern classic is known around the globe and was an instant success when it first appeared as a concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1995. So well received was that original concept that Audi took the TT design study to series production in 1998 with very few changes and a modern automotive classic was born.

Now this enterprising group of young designers has taken the classic TT shape and turned it into – of all things – a hardcore offload racer dubbed the TT Safari. This takes the quattro ideal to extremes, with huge flared guards accommodating massive rolling stock with extreme off-road rubber.

The suspension has been lifted significantly over a standard TT all round for maximum ground clearance, and what was once the rear window is now replaced with custom made storage for an additional two, full-sized spare wheels.

Adding to the super tough appearance of the TT Safari as well as the practical off-road racer application, a bank of four high-powered spotlights have been integrated into the front bumper assembly just under a revised Singleframe grille, along with additional driving lights mounted on each side of the front air dam.

Side sills have been seriously beefed up for added protection and custom roof racks have been tailored to match the TT’s sweeping roof line.

The TT Safari wears its own distinctive race livery, its dark body highlighted with yellow graphics – the colour mirrored in all of the vehicle’s lighting – the famous four ringed badges also highlighted in yellow front and rear. The team event went so far as to have the e-tron tow vehicle (used to transport the TT Safari to the Wörthersee show) with its own version of the striking livery.

Massive dual exhausts and a rear apron dominate the TT Safari’s rear end, while the famed racing fuel cap and a subtle rear deck spoiler provide dark accents to the otherwise yellow and white rear treatment.

Inside, the cockpit is instantly recognisable as TT, the dark leather seating and interior treatment also highlighted with yellow to match the exterior, with distinctive yellow stitching on the seats and the flat-bottom, multi-function steering wheel, finished in Alcantara.

The overall effect is absolutely striking – the famed sports car looking right at home as a serious off-road racer looking all the world like a starter in next year’s Paris Dakar, but alas that is not to be. While the original Audi TT design concept ultimately became a reality, there are absolutely no plans for the TT Safari to go into even limited production. The concept though is compelling and demonstrates very clearly that 24 years after the first Audi TT concept was unveiled, the iconic TT shape remains just as eye-catching as ever.