What: Audi TT Safari Concept
Model Family: TT RS Mk3
Model / Generation Code(s): type FV
Production: One-off design study
Year: 2019
Debuted: 2019 GTI Treffen, Wörthersee, Austria
Number Produced: 1
Assembly: Ingolstadt, Germany
Class: Off-road–inspired concept car
Debut: GTI Treffen, Wörthersee, Austria
Body style: 2-door coupe (modified)
Layout: Front-engine, all-wheel drive
Base model: Audi TT RS (type 8S, Mk3)
Engine: 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five
Power output: approx. 294 kW (400 hp)
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OVERVIEW
The Audi TT Safari Concept is a one-off show car created in 2019 by Audi apprentices. Based on the third-generation Audi TT RS, the concept reimagines the compact sports coupe as a rally-inspired off-road vehicle. It was unveiled ahead of the annual GTI meeting at Wörthersee and first shown publicly at the XS Carnight event in Klagenfurt, Austria.
The TT Safari contrasts sharply with the TT’s traditional low-slung sports car identity, instead emphasizing ground clearance, rugged detailing, and visual cues drawn from historic Audi rally and safari-style competition vehicles.
DEVELOPMENT & PROJECT BACKGROUND
The project was developed by a group of Audi trainees from multiple technical disciplines, including bodywork, paint, electronics, and vehicle construction. Working with support from Audi specialists, the team transformed a production TT RS into the off-road–inspired concept within a short development timeframe.
The TT Safari formed part of Audi’s tradition of apprentice-built show cars, which provide hands-on experience in design, fabrication, and cross-department collaboration while also serving as attention-grabbing exhibition vehicles.
DESIGN & INSPIRATION
The concept draws inspiration from Audi’s rally heritage, particularly safari-style endurance rally cars of the 1980s. Its name and visual theme reference historic Audi competition vehicles built for long-distance off-road events, blending retro motorsport cues with the modern TT silhouette.
The body was repainted in a distinctive motorsport-style livery featuring contrasting light and dark tones with yellow accents. The color highlights are echoed in the vehicle’s lighting elements and interior detailing.
EXTERIOR MODIFICATIONS
To achieve its off-road appearance, the TT Safari received extensive visual and functional changes. Ride height was significantly increased, and the wheel arches were widened to accommodate large off-road tires mounted on rugged wheels.
Additional design features include:
- Integrated auxiliary driving lights in the front bumper
- Protective cladding around the wheel arches and side sills
- Custom roof rails following the TT’s roofline
- Reinforced underbody elements for a more rugged stance
The rear window area was reconfigured to carry two full-size spare wheels, emphasizing the vehicle’s rally raid aesthetic. A modified rear apron and prominent dual exhaust outlets further distinguish the concept from the standard TT RS.
INTERIOR
Inside, the TT Safari retains the recognizable TT cockpit layout but incorporates thematic changes to match the exterior. Yellow accents and stitching contrast with dark interior materials, and durable finishes emphasize the concept’s off-road identity.
While the interior remains largely production-based, the overall presentation supports the vehicle’s transformation from sports coupe to all-terrain show car.
POWERTRAIN
The TT Safari Concept retains the production TT RS powertrain: a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five engine producing approximately 294 kW (400 hp). Power is delivered to all four wheels through Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system, providing a technical link to the brand’s rally heritage.
No official performance or suspension specifications were released, as the vehicle was developed primarily as a design and exhibition concept rather than a competition-ready machine.
PUBLIC APPEARANCES
The TT Safari Concept debuted in 2019 in the lead-up to the GTI meeting at Wörthersee, an annual gathering known for showcasing modified vehicles from across the Volkswagen Group. Its unusual off-road stance made it a visual counterpoint to the lowered performance cars typically associated with the event.
SIGNIFICANCE
The Audi TT Safari Concept demonstrates the flexibility of the TT design and Audi’s continued use of apprentice-led projects to explore creative interpretations of its production models. By combining rally-inspired styling with a modern sports car platform, the concept highlights Audi’s historic association with all-wheel-drive performance while playfully challenging expectations of what a TT can be.
Although never intended for production, the TT Safari remains a memorable example of Audi’s show car culture and its engagement with enthusiast communities.
REFERENCES
TT Safari, Audi Magazine Australia
PHOTO GALLERY
