2007 Audi TT Review

Specifications

New TT Plays a Sporting Card

After eight years of being on the market, Audis TT sports car is still fresh; its a timeless and ever-fashionable vehicle, achieving a longevity that few other car designs can hold claim to. But, like all good things, change is eventually necessary. Many of the first generation TTs siblings have been moved over from Volkswagen Groups A4 chassis (Golf, New Beetle, the previous Jetta) to the new and highly advanced PQ35 (A5) chassis that underpins the likes of the Mk.V 2007 Golf and company, and now its time for the new TT to get the A5 treatment. Or is it?

Yes and no, but well delve into that in a minute. Stylistically the new TT is heavily influenced by the Shooting Brake Concept that debuted at last years Tokyo Motor Show - or more realistically, the Shooting Brake was probably influenced by the TT that would have already been in development for quite some time. Major similarities can be seen on the front half, in particular the headlamps, grille and chiseled shape of the front fenders, all of which give the new car a highly aggressive, less feminine look. Instead of being a traditional three-door hatchback, like the Shooting Brake, Audi stuck to the slinky coupe shape with big, plumped wheel arches, a style that it has ever so carefully preserved for the second generation. Unlike the current car, you will notice that the TT doesnt have a rear spoiler - at least one thats visible when the car is still. The previous generations fixed wing, introduced to reduce rear-end lift at high speed has been replaced by a hydraulically operated one that raises at 75 mph, akin to the one you might find on a Porsche Boxster or Cayman.

Another key difference in the look of the Shooting Brake and the TT is that the production cars grille is more in sync with other members of the Audi family. While it is true that Audi is pushing the single-frame grille, the lack of a divider on the Shooting Brake is just a bit too bold for my tastes.

Compared to the old car, which was pretty small by sports car standards, the new TT is greater in length by some 5.4 inches and wider by 3.0 inches. For the record, that makes the TT the widest car in its class, besting BMWs Z4 by some 2.3 inches. Within this enlarged frame, the TTs wheels have been pushed farther apart in order to give the car a more stable stance. Likewise, the extra width allows for a greater track, front and rear, allowing for even more grip.

No longer is the TT just a Golf clad in appealing clothes; its been transformed into a very unique vehicle, which is significantly different from any of its direct siblings. Its structure was designed in a similar way to Audis Aluminum Space Frame (ASF) cars, the A2 and A8, but is fundamentally different in that the TTs frame is part steel and part aluminum! Sixty-nine percent of this “superstructure” is made of the lighter metal, in order to reduce the overall weight as well as the load over the front wheels. The remaining 31 percent - the components made from steel - are centered over the rear wheels in order to improve the cars weight distribution.
Combined with the new electromechanical power steering system, the new TT should overcome the key dynamic criticisms of the old car. Handling should no longer be heavy and inert, while the lighter nose will undoubtedly improve turn-in and reduce understeer.

In terms of new and innovative features, the TT bears a host of ride and handling-improving technologies. In its second generation the car makes the leap to speed-sensitive power steering complemented by a four-wheel multi-link suspension. But, the real star of the show is the new TTs optional electro-magnetic damping system. As featured on the super-performance RS4 and a handful of high-end Cadillacs as well, the TT rides on dampers with magnetically charged particles that are suspended in oil-filled dampers. When an electrical charge is sent through the dampers, they firm up or soften within milliseconds to provide a ride thats sporty, yet supple, allowing the TT to ride comfortably on wheels as large as 19 inches in diameter.

Power for the TT comes from two different, but well-known sources. Base models come with the award-winning 200-horsepower 2.0-liter FSI-T engine, paired to FrontTrak front-wheel drive.  Top-line TTs get the more powerful 250-horsepower 3.2-liter narrow-angle V(R)6 engine, mated to a rear-biased Haldex-based all-wheel drive system. The four-cylinder TT is also available with all wheel drive, allowing for yet another viable powertrain combination. Both engines come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, though, for those who wish for more automation, the fantastic S Tronic (formerly DSG) six-speed dual-clutch gearbox can be ordered with either engine.
Its unknown whether Audi will offer the V6 model with the six-speed in North America; although the first-gen TT V6 was offered with a manual gearbox in Europe, it wasnt available in North America.

Regardless of the engine and gearbox selected, the new TT is a formidably quick vehicle; even if you were to go for the most basic version, a 2.0T with six-speed manual, it will hit 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds. The more powerful V6-motivated car can do it in 5.6 seconds. Opt for the twin-clutch paddleshift gearbox and both are quicker still. The two models are also born and bred for blasting down de-restricted roadways and race tracks; the 2.0T has a top speed of 149 mph, while the bigger, more powerful car had to be electronically restrained to 155 mph. Of course, to counter all of this go-fast goodness, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, brake assist and brakeforce distribution are standard equipment.

Inside, the TTs designers have swapped out some of the originals Bauhaus Cool, for greater driver focus. While the trademark milled aluminum twist vents are still present, the driving environment is much more like a racing car, with large, clear instrumentation and a wrap-around center stack thats canted towards the driver. Unfortunately, the famous padded spars and embossed aluminum stereo cover plate are gone, but theyre replaced with functional furnishings that include a new and improved version of Audis MMI-plus infotainment interface that includes easier to use menus and soft key buttons (buttons with no set function). Meanwhile, the TT is as practical as before; it continues to bear a four-seat classification, though, how useful the rear two seats are is yet to be determined. With the fast roofline preserved, headroom for the rear two passengers doesnt look to be particularly generous.

Perhaps, then, the TT will appeal to those who want a sports car with a decent cargo hold. Like its competitors, the Z4 Coupé and Porsche Cayman, the TT offers a very reasonable 10.2 cubic feet of cargo volume. Flip down those two rear seats, and that instantly increases to  24.7 cu-ft of luggage space.

Itching to lay down a deposit for the latest in cutting edge style? The car, which was launched at this years New York International Auto Show is expected to launch as early as this summer in Europe, with North American customers taking delivery in the autumn. Initially, Audi will offer the three-door model, however, the German automaker has confirmed that a two-seat soft-top roadster is in the works. Expect the roadster version to be ready by spring, 2007, ready in time to be next summers hot item.