Audi’s redesigned TT Coupe isn’t quite up there in Corvette or Por Boxster S territory, but it is nevertheless extremely entertaining on an interesting road.
There is no rational reason to own a car like the Audi TT Coupe Quattro. It only seats two adults comfortably, is hard to get into and out of, and the bottom line on the sticker would put a lot of folks in the poor house.
I have to admit being of mixed mind about this car, even with a major redesign for 2008. The TT has won constant praise since its introduction for its exterior design and, while I will quickly concede that it is certainly unique, it’s not particularly attractive, at least to me.
The TT isn’t really practical, either, especially not as a daily driver. Once you get down into the driver’s seat, the interior is quite beautiful but comfort is not among its chief strengths.
The seats are firm and supportive, and the optional Fine Napple leather is gorgeous, but the high door sills can be a touch claustrophobic and the center console takes up lots of space that might otherwise have gone to the knees and thighs of front seat occupants.
These are great seats for the driver and front passenger. Be prepared to suffer in back, though.
I also found it curiously difficult to position the steering wheel the proper distance from my 5’9” self and one wonders why Audi even bothered with the rear seats, considering that no adult can use them and the rear glass requires a warning not to close it without first warning the hapless soul who ends up having to sit back there.
On the road, the TT Coupe is quite a performer. My “Brilliant Red“ and black tester sported Audi’s 3.2 liter DOHC V-6, good for 250 horsepower, hooked up with a six-speed manual transmission and the familiar Audi all-wheel-drive system.
See ya!
The combination produces lively performance – though the gain versus the 200 horsepower 2.0 liter turbo four is negligible – and the suspension calibration combines with optional 18-inch rubber to make the TT capable of getting around corners at such velocities you forget the car is actually based on the same platform as is found underneath the Volkswagen Rabbit, Jetta and GTi. The 2008 model is definitely an upgrade in this department over the first generation TT.
So who should buy a TT? Somebody who can afford its near $50,000 price tag and regular Friday forays to Summit Point Raceway or other road racing venues for a day at the track. The TT would likely be a charmer heading down SPR’s Chute and in that sense it’s quite a beauty.
2008 AUDI TT COUPE 3.2 QUATTRO IN SHORT FORM:
Price-as-tested: $48,020
Engine information: 3.2 liter DOHC V-6, 250 horsepower at 6,300 rpm, torque equals 236 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm
Performance: 0-60 mphin 5.88 seconds (With six-speed stick shift)
EPA fuel economy: 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway
Safety equipment: Driver and front passenger front, side and knee air bags, anti-lock brakes, anti-slip regulation, Electronic Stabilization Program, Quattro All-Wheel-Drive
Other Voices:
“The power gets to the ground with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system, so you just grab the same flat-bottom steering wheel that graces the Audi R8 supercar and drive with confidence.
“When you leave a stoplight, you’ll want to take advantage of new launch-control software that Audi has built into the TT. Deactivate the stability program, select “S” with the shift lever, then you can brake-torque the drivetrain at full throttle and the engine revs will hold steady at 3,200 rpm. Then let go of the brake and start laughing. At the test track, the TT gets to 60 mph in 6 seconds flat, then reaches the quarter-mile in 14.5 seconds at 94.3 mph without either wheelspin or a smoky clutch.
“At the other end of the racetrack, the vented disc brakes and excellent 18-inch Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires bring this car to a halt from 60 mph in only 112 feet — and there’s no screeching, shaking or head-bobbing. Though the brake pedal should feel firmer, the braking performance proves consistent and free from fade.
“The 2008 Audi TT is far crisper in the corners than the previous-generation TT, although it still won’t stay with a Porsche Boxster or a BMW Z4 on a winding road. Even so, it uses its 245/40YR18 tires to slice through our 600-foot slalom course in 5.8 seconds at 70.2 mph. The heavily damped suspension helps firm up the2008 TT enough for the agility you want, and Audi is definitely going for performance over comfort here, but there are no unpleasant consequences.
“The adoption of electromechanical steering has actually significantly improved the TT’s communication skills over the previous model. The steering is precise and the effort is on the firm side, but the car always feels easy to handle, while the flat-bottom steering wheel affords a feeling of control.”
— Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor, Edmunds’ Inside Line
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