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Audi launches third generation 'TT' on-Island

Audi releases TTs in Pulse Orange, Turbo Blue and Tango Red

Over 70 journalists come for test drives

Audi chose the Isle of Man as the place to launch its newest incarnation of the 'TT' car yesterday (Tues 17).

2018 is a significant milestone for the German manufacturer, and for one of its flagship models.

It's the twentieth anniversary of the birth of its 'TT' car, and it's 80 years since Ewald Kluge became the first German victor at the Isle of Man TT Races, a feat which is said to have inspired the sporty range.

Kluge won the 1938 Lightweight TT by more than 11 minutes, at an average speed of 78.5mph.

Those achievements, Audi says, 'astonished the experts'.

Over 70 journalists from 11 countries, from as far afield as Japan, Canada and the USA, congregated at Ronaldsway for the launch.

After a briefing, and a few safety rules, those attending were handed the keys and allowed a test drive over a closed section of the Mountain Road.

There were some strict rules, though - nobody was allowed to exceed 90mph, there was to be no overtaking, marshalls were in situ along the roadway, and a pace car would lead from the front.

Amongst the group, having travelled all the way from the United States, was Nelson Ireson, Senior Editor of Automobile Magazine.

Mr Ireson was relishing the prospect, even more so as he knew what to expect:

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