The Audi TT 8N engine options

Basically, you could say that the TT 8N came with 3 engines. The 180 and 225 hp 1.8T from the start and from 2003 on the 250 hp 3.2 V6.
But if we start looking, there have been 8 variants in total due to differences in power and front-wheel or quattro drive.

Due to minor updates, there are eventually 16 variations in engine codes. As an example, only of the 225hp quattro, there are 4 engine codes (updates and difference in emissions due to regional rules) with BAM being the most popular. Below is an overview.

Engines popularity

Of the official engines of the TT 8N in the Netherlands, both for the Coupé and Roadster, the 1.8T 180 hp is the favourite with 55% for the Roadster and 73% for the Coupé [1]. This is followed by the 225 hp with 26% in the Roadster and almost 20% in the Coupé. Over 3% of the TT 8N is equipped with the 3.2 V6 with 250 hp.

Alternative fuels

We all know that the Audi TT 8N has only been delivered in the Netherlands with a petrol engine. Yet there are also those that use other fuel . Only this is very rare.

LPG
There are only 42 units [2] (out of over 5,250) of the Audi TT 8N in the Netherlands that run on LPG. Of these, 36 are a Coupé and 16 a Roadster. All TT 8N on LPG are manual transmission. With 28 units, the 180 hp version is the most popular. The 3.2 also has the option to run on LPG. Only at the moment, none seem to be driving around in the Netherlands. A neat conversion even has the filler nipple under the filler cap.

Diesel

In the Netherlands one diesel TT 8N can also be found in a Coupé. Equipped with the 1.9 TDI 130 hp from the shelves of the VAG concern. Searching the internet, you do come across this conversion a bit more often. Like this German one (video) or a green English one.

@Feinstaubracer1 | Youtube

Automatic versions

With the Audi TT 8N, there were 2 options for an automatic in. Both available for both the Coupé and Roadster.

1.8T 180 hp – TipTronic-6

A 6-speed automatic transmission (TipTronic) has been part of the delivery programme since Sep 2002. This automatic gearbox could only be ordered in combination with the 180 hp with front-wheel drive. It was replaced by the 190 hp variant at the end of 2005. The TipTronic has the option of a sport programme (S) or manual gearshifting. For manual shifting, there are shift buttons on the steering wheel.
In the Netherlands, only 1.4% [2] of TTs are equipped with this automatic. So quite rare with around 30x Roadster and 40x Coupé.

3.2 V6 250 hpk quattro – DSG-6

For the 3.2 V6, the automatic was available in a DSG (dual-clutch) variant right from its introduction summer 2003. The DSG also has a port program (S) or the option of manual shifting. Besides the gear lever, the DSG has gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel for manual shifting.
This automatic in the TT8N is also fairly rare mainly due to the low numbers of 3.2 V6s. Over 90 of the Coupé (90% of the 3.2 V6 Coupé) can be found with the DSG and 55 of the roadster (80% of the 3.2 V6 Roadsters). If you want to know more about the DSG-6, you can find additional information in the SSP of the 3.2:

The top-9 best kg/hp ratio

Overview of the factory-spec TTs with the best weight-to-hp ratio. And the worst. Leader is the quattro sport, which is lighter than a standard 225 by a number of measures and also has 15bhp more in the bonnet. Some details:

The 3.2 V6 is only 25 kg heavier than a 1.8T 225hp. Less heavier than is often expected. As a result, the 3.2 has better kg/hp ratio than the 225hp variants
The 190 hp without quattro comes pretty close to the 225 hp variant with quattro due to its lower weight
As expected, the 150hp Roadster is the stern end of the list

[1] Source: engine power registration of ~5,250 TT 8N in the Netherlands on kentekencheck.nl (reference date: July 2023). For the Roadster, 1% represents 23 units for the Coupé, it is 30 units per 1%
[2] Source: transmission registration of ~5,250 TT 8N in the Netherlands on kentekencheck.nl (reference date: July 2023)