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Follow-Up Test: 2001 Audi TT Coupe
Going In Style
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By Karl Brauer, Editor in Chief, Edmunds.com
Date posted: 06-15-2001
"Alright! It's not silver!" I shouted after spotting our TT Coupe test vehicle in the parking lot.
My co-workers were visibly surprised by my reaction to the Aviator Gray Audi. With its low-slung, wedge-like shape, which some have described as a New Beetle after being stepped on by King Kong, the TT is capable of eliciting any number of responses. Yet, obviously, no one on our editorial staff had ever heard this particular cry of adulation regarding the edgy coupe.
Before reviewing the TT with standard-issue automotive-journalist detachment, I should explain that I've liked the looks, and the philosophy, associated with this vehicle since it debuted as a concept car back in 1995. However, the preponderance of silver TTs, at least in the Los Angeles area, has almost driven me to insanity. It's not that I hate the color silver, and it's not that the car looks bad in silver. But when the whole point of a vehicle's design is to offer the buyer something unique -- something with real character -- and then the cars hit the market, and it seems like every one of them is silver, the philosophy of creative individualism sort of flies out the window. By the way, Porsche's Boxster (another vehicle I'm quite fond of, and one that looks great in metallic colors) suffers from this same "silver-only" affliction.
(Note: Mr. Brauer will be stepping off his soapbox ... right ... now.)
The Audi TT is the brainchild of one Freeman Thomas, a designer who also had a hand in the New Beetle, and who has since jumped ship, leaping from the Volkswagen-Audi group to land at DaimlerChrysler. While the man is gone, his legacy lives on in this stylish two-plus-two coupe. Even editors who were less-than-thrilled with the TT's performance couldn't deny its powerful aura. The look is both sleek and strong, with the short overhangs, low roofline and wide track giving it a "ready to pounce"stance.
But while the car's exterior shape is truly inspired, the TT's greatest contribution to current automotive design is found within the highly crafted cabin, where a combination of leather, brushed aluminum and semi-hard plastic is integrated into a theme that at once feels both classic and modern. The metallic rings around the main dash vents, for instance, look like something out of a 1950s American luxury car, but the fact that these rings can be rotated to control airflow from each vent confirms that the TT's interior is all about form and function. Similarly, the tiny power-window switches, mounted near the interior door handle, are almost impossible to find for first-time drivers. Yet once located, they prove easy to reach and intuitive to operate. Has this interior philosophy been a hit with buyers? Undoubtedly, but it's been even more influential as an inspiration (or lack thereof) for other automakers. Check inside Mitsubishi's Eclipse or Nissan's Sentra, among many others, and the TT trademark cues are blatantly obvious (though with hard plastic instead of metal in these particular vehicles).
Many of the interior controls require a bit of fiddling to understand, but with familiarity comes appreciation for how logically creative (or would that be creatively logical?) Audi's designers are. Even the audio system is masked behind a hinged cover with the letters "TT" proudly etched in it. The actual audio controls, unfortunately, still suffer from standard-issue Audi confusion, with numerous tiny buttons that all look the same. The cruise control and wiper stalks also leave something to be desired in terms of visual and tactile refinement, appearing as two low-brow enigmas in an otherwise premium cockpit.
Upon closer inspection, critics will notice that the TT's interior materials don't quite support the car's high-end appearance. While the dash and door panel coverings can't accurately be labeled plastic, they feel only slightly softer than what you'd find in an economy car costing one-third the price of the TT. The seat leather is also less supple than that found in BMW- or Lexus-badged vehicles. Though the materials are not exactly "cheap," we feel prospective buyers should know that this Audi's premium interior design is not fully backed up by premium materials (brushed aluminum accents being the obvious exception).
Another characteristic not fully backed up by the TT's sporty design has to do with performance. Specifically, the car doesn't generate the type of numbers you might expect from a sport coupe costing almost 40 grand. With a 0-to-60 time in the high 6-second range, and a quarter-mile time hovering around 15 seconds, the TT is still fun to drive, but Honda's lower-priced S2000 will eat it alive in a straight line. And even Audi's own S4 Avant, a similarly priced station wagon with far more utility, can dust the TT in sheer acceleration.
Audi should be commended for wrangling a full 225 horsepower out of its diminutive 1.8-liter four-cylinder (the same engine makes 170 horsepower in the A4 and 150 horsepower in the New Beetle). But this power comes at the cost of user-friendliness, with the TT displaying its Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde nature whenever the tach needle swings past 4,000 rpm. With minimal torque off the line, the only way to get the TT moving quickly is to spin the engine toward redline before releasing the clutch -- not exactly a shrewd driving technique in an all-wheel-drive car, unless you enjoy paying for new transmissions at your Audi dealer's service center.
Rapid acceleration is further hindered by the TT's long shifter throws. However, clutch engagement is smooth and progressive, and with six forward gears, it's not terribly difficult to keep the engine in the sweet zone ... once you're underway.
Twisty-road behavior in the TT is akin to a grand touring vehicle. Steering response and feedback is among the finest in automobiledom, and with a large, thick steering wheel rim located close to the driver, the TT at first seems meant for straightening out curves. But suspension tuning is not quite up to the class standards set by the Porsche Boxster and Honda S2000. Body roll during sweepers and transitions combines with a jarring ride over low-speed bumps to keep the TT from feeling as planted as the Honda or Porsche. Thankfully, the car is far more capable than its drop-top cousin; a vehicle that is both too heavy and far too flexible for serious sporting fun. The TT did manage over 64 mph through our 600-foot slalom, proving a proficient mount while slicing cones and no doubt benefiting from the always-appreciated quattro system.
For buyers seeking the ultimate performance sport coupe, the TT will likely disappoint. But those willing to give up, say, 12 percent of sheer ability will get back at least 25 percent in pure style. Unless your daily commute involves dragstrips and slalom courses, that seems like a fair trade to us.
See all the Ratings: 2001 Audi TT 225hp Quattro AWD 2dr Coupe (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6M) Road Test Scoreboard
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