This is effectively the all-new Audi TT for late 2006. At least, it is if you ignore the long roofline and mentally substitute either the TT coupe's fastback, or a roadster soft-top.

That said, Audi is seriously considering this Shooting Brake as a third bodystyle for the future, because there's a lot more rear-seat headroom and boot space (in fact, a TT roadster is a pure two-seater).

As you can see, the front end is more aggressive thanks to Audi's single-frame grille, and the sheet metal has more decorative lines and concave surfaces.

Designer Jorge Diez told us it's "more emotional and has more flavour" than before, but it's also a lot less gemoetrically pure.

Inside, there's a strong emphasis on circular dials and aluminium trim as with the current car, and it feels a lot more plush. But again, the design purity has given way to more complexity.

The new TT should be a lot more fun to drive, because it switches from old-generation to current Golf suspension. Quattro 4WD is retained, and adaptive dampers make their first appearance in a TT.

The wheels are 19-inchers, but that size will definitely be just an option on the real car. The show car uses the top engine in the production line-up - the 250bhp V6 and DSG transmission from the Golf R32. Tasty.

Gadgets limited to the show car include LED headlamps (Diez told us they look like illuminated pineapples, but that's obviously designer-talk) and a PDA that docks in the dash.

It has Bluetooth and handwriting recognition, so you can enter navigation destinations by writing on the tablet.

Alongside the Shooting Brake, Audi unveiled the hot version of the A8 luxury saloon, the S8.

It uses a 450bhp V10 engine adapted from the one in subsidiary company Lamborghini's Gallardo. The mad Gallardo engine is made a bit more conscientious by using FSi direct petrol injection to save fuel.

Power is down to 450bhp even though capacity is up to 5.2 litres. Obviously, Audi isn't being allowed to tread on Lambo's toes. (Read more about the new Audi S8.)

Read Audi TT Car Review

Audi TT road tests
Audi TT Coupe - June 8, 2006
Audi TT 190 Coupe - February 2, 2006
Audi TT 3.2 V6 DSG - November 10, 2004
Audi TT 3.2 V6 DSG - October 18, 2004
Audi TT 3.2 V6 DSG - October 11, 2004