Audi TT Review

2008 Audi TT 2.0T Convertible

At its debut as a concept car in 1995 and finally a production reality, the Audi TT was one of the most dramatic cars to come out in the mid-to-late 1990s. Its organic and symmetrically styled front and rear profiles contrasted with slab-sided flanks to create a look unlike anything Audi had ever done before. Meanwhile, the TT's handsomely executed interior left no discernible traces of the car's rather humble VW Golf roots.

Named after the Tourist Trophy motorsports event held on the Isle of Man (in which a predecessor of the Audi brand competed), the Audi TT is not quite a sports car, not quite a sport coupe or roadster. In essence, the front- or all-wheel-drive TT is a two-seat GT. True, the coupe has a pair of seats in the back, but they are best left for little kids or used as an upholstered package shelf. The TT has the low-slung look and feel of a sports car, but its dynamic personality is closer to that of a luxury sport coupe.

Regardless of year and trim level, the TT is respectably fast, but with some first-generation versions weighing more than 3,600 pounds and suspension tuning that prioritizes touring comfort over all-out cornering prowess, it won't be the first choice for hard-core enthusiasts. Those zealots seeking a harder-edged driving experience would be better served by more finely focused sports cars. The greater majority of consumers, however, who desire a sporty coupe or roadster with energetic performance and a heavy accent on style, should be more than happy with the Audi TT.

Current Audi TT

The current Audi TT was redesigned for the 2008 model year and represents the second generation. Although slightly larger, the second-generation TT doesn't stray too far from the timeless lines of its predecessor. The general look is the same, though character lines are crisper and the nose adopts Audi's now signature single-frame grille. Although longer and wider than the first TT, the latest version is lighter (by nearly 200 pounds in the case of the roadster) thanks to increased use of aluminum in the body structure. It also offers a more powerful four-cylinder engine.

Two trim levels -- a 2.0T (200-horsepower turbocharged four with front-wheel drive) and 3.2 Quattro (250-hp V6 with all-wheel drive) -- are offered in a choice of hatchback coupe and roadster body styles. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual and a six-speed S tronic twin-clutch sequential transmission that offers the ease of an automatic combined with the quick response of a manual. (Formerly, the S tronic was known as the Direct Shift Gearbox, or DSG.)

On the road, the 2.0T feels more agile through a set of curves, as it has less weight on the front tires, while the 3.2 Quattro delivers more punch on straightaways along with a more aggressive engine and exhaust sound. The 2.0T is actually the more athletic of the two, as its quick-revving four-cylinder engine, whooshing turbocharger and light-effort, nimble steering combine to deliver a strong sporting impression.

One of the TT's most notable assets is its superbly crafted interior, which entices with a look that is sleek and modern. Another is its sculpted exterior design. The TT also offers an impeccable sequential-shift manual transmission, and great hatchback utility when purchased in the coupe iteration. Its primary downside concerns the fact that its handling is less precise than that offered by some of its rear-drive competitors.

Past Audi TT Models

Introduced for the 2000 model year and initially available solely as a hatchback coupe, the first TT was powered by Audi's peppy 1.8-liter, 180-hp turbocharged inline-4. Buyers could choose either front- or all-wheel drive (Audi's Quattro system). A five-speed manual was standard, while a six-speed manual was optional. Along with its low-slung, avant-garde styling, the TT boasted an equally unique interior that featured polished aluminum accents, impeccable fit and finish and, unfortunately, a few ergonomic glitches such as a CD changer mounted behind the driver seat and counterintuitive climate controls.

After a highly publicized recall to fix the twitchy handling characteristics of early TTs, a roadster and a 225-hp Quattro version debuted the following year. In 2003, an automatic transmission (with six speeds) became available. But the biggest news for this generation came in 2004, when the 250-hp 3.2-liter V6 and Audi's superb six-speed automanual gearbox became available. The latter, dubbed DSG, provided rapid yet jolt-free manual-style gearchanges that put a Ferrari's F1 transmission to shame. The Audi TT stood pat through 2006, the last year of this generation.

Potential buyers should know that, although potentially fast in a straight line, this TT was never considered a true sports car due to its potentially heavy curb weight and softly sprung suspension. Still, the TT should satisfy those who prize comfort, style and all-weather capability in their sport coupe or roadster.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.