AUDI has made significant gains in reducing the whole-life impact on the environment of its latest high-tech sports car, the new generation TT.

Compared with its predecessor, the newcomer - due to hit the streets in December - scores high with an increase in power output of up to 14 per cent but with a decrease in emissions of 11 per cent.

It means that each car in the series saves around 5.5 tonnes of greenhouse gases over its entire life cycle.

This includes not just carbon dioxide, but other substances such as methane, nitrous oxide and organic emissions.

Audi's technical development chief Ulrich Hackenberg said: "Our goal is to reduce significantly the overall emissions of each model compared with its predecessor.

"However, it's not just a matter of what comes out of the exhaust pipe. At Audi, we look at the entire product and process chain associated with mobility."

A host of technologies have contributed towards the positive life cycle assessment of the Audi TT, including lightweight construction.

Thanks to an intelligent combination of materials, the brand's engineers have succeeded in reducing the car's unladen weight.

The first model change in 2006 saw weight savings of up to 90 kilograms achieved. With the front-wheel driven 2.0 TFSI engine variant of the new TT now weighing in at 1,230kg, this means that the car is again around 50kg lighter than its predecessor.

Weight reduction and intelligent lightweight construction measures also have an impact on the vehicle manufacturing process. And it has been possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around nine per cent.

Priced from £29,770, the new range will include an efficiency focused TT Ultra version capable of 67.3mpg with CO2 emissions of just 110g/km.

Nonetheless, it can still reach 62mph in 7.1 seconds and top out at 150mph.

Two spec levels - Sport and S line - will initially be offered in the UK and both come with a fully digital virtual cockpit based around a 12.3-inch, high resolution LCD display.

Engines at launch are a 230PS 2.0-litre TFSI petrol unit with front-wheel-drive or quattro all-wheel-drive, and a 2.0 TDI diesel producing 184PS exclusively with front-wheel-drive.

And Audi says a fire-breathing TTS version developing 310PS will join the party next spring.

Prices are from £29,860 for the Audi TT 2.0 TFSI Sport manual model rising to £35,335 for the 2.0 TFSI quattro S line S tronic version. Diesels start at £29,770 for the 2.0 TDI ultra Sport.