Audi has revealed a new concept car at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show. The concept is based on the recently revealed 2016 TT sports car but features four doors, a raised ride height and four individual seats. It’s called the TT Offroad, and according to Audi it provides a glimpse of how the automaker might turn the TT sports car into a family of vehicles spanning a number of different segments.

You may recall also that just a few weeks ago Audi R&D boss Ulrich Hackenberg revealed that the brand with the four rings was looking for ways to capitalize on the TT's strong brand and iconic status by launching additional variants. Audi used a shooting brake body to originally preview the new TT, and this proved quite popular with fans, so it’s clear the TT’s DNA can be successfully applied to other bodystyles.

Underpinning the TT Offroad is the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, which features in the new TT and a handful of other models from the German auto giant. We can also see that the concept’s dash layout is the same as in the new TT, although the cabin has four individual seats with a folding function for the rear pair. Also borrowed from the new TT is the virtual cockpit, where all information, including infotainment as well as speedometer and tachometer details, is presented through a fully-digital 12.3-inch display located behind the steering wheel.

Power in the TT Offroad comes from a ‘through-the-road’ plug-in hybrid system, making the vehicle an e-tron quattro. The new TT’s regular 2.0-liter TFSI engine is integrated with an electric motor sandwiched between it and a six-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, and this combination is used to power the front wheels. A second electric motor is mounted at the rear, along with a lithium-ion battery pack, and together with the powerplants at the front delivers system output of 408 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. Gas mileage is said to be an incredible 123.8 mpg when using a mix of electric-only and hybrid modes.

If built, any production version of the TT Offroad would target the likes of the Range Rover Evoque and new BMW X4. Though at present it’s labeled a TT, there’s also the possibility that it could be labeled a Q4 for production and slotted in between the Q3 and Q5 models in Audi’s regular lineup. Audi will launch a new Q1 subcompact crossover in 2016, and the automaker has stated that it is keen to expand its portfolio of crossovers and SUVs to meet growing demand for such vehicles.

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