By Jay Shoemaker
April 13, 2007 -
The last generation Audi TT had more show than go. The German roadster’s dynamics were tarnished by massive turbo lag, an over-eager paddle shift gearbox and an entirely flappable suspension. In fact, the TT’s iconic exterior design and interior quality were its only saving graces. Now that TT 2.0 has arrived, and a decent enough amount of time has passed since Hugh Grant’s loathsome character drove a TT in “About a Boy," is Audi finally ready for a little Boxster bashing? Yes and no.
The original TT was a rolling realization of Bauhausian anti-bling– to the point where the tiny tail spoiler (added to correct high speed stability “issues”) stuck out like a Black Sabbath T-shirt on Michaelangelo's David. Audi's designers folded and crimped the old TT’s sheetmetal and flame surfaced the sides. They ended-up with a more modern and less distinctive car. At the risk of offending the TT's core supporters, Audi’s ministrations delivered unto them a mucho macho model, flared wheel arches and all.
The aesthetic discord hasn’t disappeared; it’s simply moved to the front. Audi’s trademark “Billy the Big Mouth Bass” grille gives the TT a distinctly lopsided appearance. While the oversized schnoz and the new fastback eliminate the polarizing push-me, pull-you proportions (a.k.a. the bathtub-on-wheels effect), the features add gun slit aggression to the TT’s profile and destroy the original’s “oval uber alles” purity of form. Thankfully, when it comes to Audis, beauty is more than skin deep.
When I sat in the new TT in Paris, the interior was a let down. Now that I’ve driven the R8, I feel better about the TT’s strikingly similar cabin– and less impressed with the R8. Thanks to the TT’s added length, width and price, the new model’s cockpit is significantly more spacious and luxurious than its predecessor. The TT’s squashed crown symbolizes its sporting aspirations, while the ergonomics, build and materials quality are damn near perfect.
But not quite. The TT coupe’s rear three quarter blind spots are as dangerous as ever. The exposed phone cradle at the rearmost part of the center console (behind the driver’s elbow) is a turd in a rock garden. And the standard sound system lacks depth, clarity and power. Still, there's no question that the new TT is a much more pleasant place in which to do business.
The business in question: driving. As you’d expect, the TT’s dynamics are roughly akin to the hip, hot and harmonious VW GTI upon which it’s based. My front-wheel drive tester holstered the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four as the GTI, complete with VW’s latest direct injection technology. Thanks in part to an aluminum diet, the 200hp TT blasts to 60mph in a tick less than six seconds. There’s a little lag off the mark, a sweet exhaust note and encouraging popping noises between shifts.
In fact, the new TT drives like an enthusiastic puppy. Turn-in is immediate and aggressive. The S-Tronic’s (nee DSG) paddle shift cog swapper isn't as slam bam as the previous model’s, but it ain't slow neither; given the new TTs more mature demeanor, seamless shifts were the right choice. Switch off the ESP handling nanny, and the standard 17” wheels still offer enough grip to keep all but the lunatic fringe from cutting themselves on the edge of the TT’s envelope.
Even the short wheelbase and [optional] 18” run flat tires can’t kill the coupe’s wonderfully compliant ride– aside from the occasional abrupt response to broken pavement. The TT’s incredibly light electromechanical steering is the only major blot on its dynamic copy book. At low speeds, you're golden. At highway velocities, the helm's lack of road feel tests your mettle, and turns turns into an intellectual exercise.
Compared with the competition– Porsche Boxster/Cayman, Mercedes SLK and BMW Z4– absolute handling prowess goes to the mid-engined Porsches. Stunting and flossing rights belong to the SLK, with its three-pointed star and retractable hardtop. And the much-improved Z4 wins pistonhead props for its BMWness. But the Audi has the most compliant ride, the quietest and most beautiful interior, the coolest transmission and the best visibility (although that’s not saying much). Trump card: the TT is significantly cheaper than these natural born thrillers.
But then the VW GTI is significantly less expensive than the TT, far more practical, cheaper to run and no less fun to drive. Is it worth paying an extra $10k+ for an high-class image and a more luxurious cockpit? Believe it or not, there are plenty of buyers who wouldn’t be caught dead in a GTI. And there are plenty of drivers who crave a four-wheeled, four-ringed designer object, regardless of its handling chops. For both of these groups, Audi’s expensive creases are a necessary price of admission. Once inside, they will not be disappointed.
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POWERED
April 13th, 2007 at 7:55 am
So, how did this car end up as one of three finalists for World Car of the Year?
April 13th, 2007 at 8:20 am
I had the original TT, 2nd model year, with the 225 hp awd config, when only a proper manual was offered. It drove like a tank but was peppy, cut through snow like Britney at a late night party, had great style, and could easily haul my bike and a suprising amount of stuff. I’d have considered this one if it weren’t for the plethora of annoying squeaks and rattles and minor issues that could never be resolved I experienced last time around.
April 13th, 2007 at 8:25 am
I’m 6′3″. I sat in the Coupe at the NY Auto show and hit my head on the ceiling. I was really disappointed with the interior, esp. compared to the other Audi models around it. I owned (leased) a 2002 for a year and I think that was nicer inside.
On the subject of of german makes, from a country with a nice high average of tall people, why do they make the ceilings so low? I hit my head in the Z4 convertible & coupe, the M6 convertible & the majority of Mercedes as well.
Oddly enough, I have no problems sitting in a Honda S2000 or a Miata (I owned a ‘95).
April 13th, 2007 at 8:34 am
Even if I wouldn’t be caught dead in a GTI, why would I buy the TT instead of an A3?
April 13th, 2007 at 8:37 am
Jay,
Great to hear that a pistonhead who can afford 12-cyl cars cares about the “cheap thrills” group (see price comment at the end f the review). This is very much welcomed and very much unlike reviews in “buff mags”.
I was surprised to hear that the new TT is indeed still based on the GTI. I was almost sure that Audi mentioned the TT now has its own platform…
As far as not being caught dead in the GTi goes, I can understand: after having seen the Golf/GTI for 3 years in Europe and the US, I still cannot warm up to its styling, even though I own a 2002 golf. The Audi A3 does it a lot better for me, and its superior exterior/interior is worht the $3k difference, in my opinion.
April 13th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Reading reviews like this make me realize how lucky those of us who own a Chrysler Crossfire SRT6 are.It is easily the “under the radar” sports car of the decade.It will easily trounce the TT and the Boxster and costs significantly less(My roadster was $38k new and coupes sold for the low 30’s).They also are extremely rare.My black roadster is one of around 250. Perhaps TTAC should correct this oversight and try to find one for a test drive.
April 13th, 2007 at 8:52 am
VW really needs to think about putting that 2.0T into the beetle…that is one hell of an engine. awesome low end torque! and i would seriously consider a bug with that under the hood…that would be an awesome sleeper with all the computer upgrades for that engine you could have a bug putting down 250hp…hahahah
April 13th, 2007 at 9:07 am
yournamehere:
the beetle is still on the last generation golf platform, i believe. i don’t know if it would be worth their effort to get the 2.0T into the beetle when the beetle is probably due for retirement/replacement soon
April 13th, 2007 at 10:09 am
I found sitting in this car claustrophobic, the beltline is too high, the roof too low. I also drove the roadster - it looked like it was more fun that it was - perhaps because I own a golf, i am used to sharp handling, it was not sufficiently different from my golf to make it worth while to me. Even with the folding top. But at outdoor burger places, it drew a croud. Perhaps thats what this car is about.
I will look agan at the A3, but the last time i did, it seemed overpriced.
I am glad that Jay Shoemaker said that it feels like the GTI. Others have noticed that too - I will prob buy one of them.
thanks for the review.
April 13th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Jay,
Good article! Enjoyed the ’special effects’ (”stuck out like a Black Sabbath T-shirt on Michaelangelo’s David”, “the TT is significantly cheaper than these natural born thrillers” :-)
One question only: why nothing about weight? These days all cars get porkier and porkier and nobody gives a damn :-(
Come on guys! You are able to tell the truth :-)