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Surrey, British Columbia - The Audi TT is back as a completely redesigned car for the 2008 model year. As before, it comes as both a hardtop coupe and a soft-top roadster. This time around, however, a lighter and stiffer chassis, a new suspension and powertrain upgrades elevate the new TT to a higher level of performance and agility.
In addition to upping the TT's performance bar a few rungs, Audi has chiseled its handsome exterior and refined its interior styling.
Canadian buyers will also be pleased with a lower base price-tag - TT prices in general appear to be shaved across the product line.
Although lighter, the new TT is actually a little longer and wider than before, which allows more room inside. A new, lightweight and fully automatic soft-top on the roadster is an option (standard with the V6 models). It opens and closes in just 12 seconds and can even be operated while moving, at speeds up to 40 km/h.
Magnetic-ride suspension dampening is a new option. Like the Magna-Ride system that GM offers in the Corvette, shock damping can switch from soft to firm in milliseconds at the push of a button. Electromagnetic action on metal particles in the shock absorber's hydraulic fluid causes the change.
The 3.2-litre V6 engine is basically a carry-over but a 2.0-litre turbocharged FSI (direct-injection) engine replaces the 1.8T engine used in the last generation TT. Although its maximum 200 horsepower is actually lower, it achieves full torque (207 lb-ft.) a lot sooner (1800 r.p.m.) and it can maintain a high output through most its rev range. The 3.2-litre V6 develops 250 horsepower at 6,300 r.p.m. and 236 lb-ft of torque between 2,500 r.p.m. and 3,000 r.p.m. and uses Premium grade fuel.
Audi's renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system comes standard with every TT roadster but there is a base front-wheel-drive version of the coupe without it. My TT roadster came with the 3.2-litre V6 engine, standard six-speed manual transmission and Quattro AWD system.
While the original TT had a squat, organically rounded shape that looked similar from the front and the rear, the '08 TT now has slightly sharper and crisper lines. The body is 14 cm longer and eight cm wider than the previous TT and its wheelbase has been stretched by five cm, to 2470 mm. The TT is not as long as a Porsche Boxster, but it is wider. It's also a little wider than the BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz SLK.
The composition of the new chassis is 58 percent aluminum and 42 percent steel. This allows the TT to halt the weigh scale needle at a trim 1420 kilograms (3,130 lb). In addition, Audi claims this roadster is 120-per-cent stronger than the last one.
Folding hardtops may be the "in" thing these days, but Audi decided to go with a cloth roof for a number of reasons - primarily weight and space. A lighter soft-top, more importantly for a sports car, lowers the vehicle's centre of gravity and improves handling. This cloth top also fits into a smaller space than a folding hardtop. By sticking with cloth, Audi was able to increase both interior and trunk space in the new TT. The top is available in black and dark grey.
My test car came with the standard black leather upholstery. Audi offers nine leather interior options, including an avant-garde Baseball-Optic package, inspired by a baseball glove, which is brown with chunky stitching.
The soft-top has a fairly large, glass back window with an electric heat defogger. Between the cloth roof and its inside liner there's also an additional layer of soundproofing. A new Z-fold method of retracting the roof locks it flush with the body when fully collapsed, so that there's no need for a tonneau cover - very slick. The standard power-retractable, mesh wind deflector located behind the seats cuts down on cabin air turbulence when the top is down and raises and lowers at the flick of a switch.
I do have a couple of minor ergonomic gripes - the power window switches are hidden behind the door-pull handle, and I inadvertently hit the suspension dampening switch a few times - it's located beside the gearshift lever along with some other buttons.
Inside storage spots include hidden pockets and a large centre pocket that's lockable. The glove-box is a decent size, and in my tester, it also housed an optional digital music player connection and holder. Not sure why it's an option - it should be standard.
Knee bolster airbags are a new safety addition and those tubular arches behind each seat hide high-strength steel roll-over protection.
A TT is not a good first-car choice if you've got small kids. No child-seat anchors are provided, but a seatbelt-held booster seat could be used in a pinch.
If you're contemplating a TT as a mid-life or later gift to yourself (and there's nothing wrong with that) you should practice simply getting in and out a number of times. Like all good sports cars, it's low to the ground, so you need a healthy back for the squatting and swiveling. That said, it's probably easier to get in and out of than most, and once inside, it's surprisingly roomy.
A uniquely shaped steering wheel with a flat bottom aids entry and provides some additional legroom. I liked this feature and the only time I missed its un-roundness was while parking. When you're looking back and manipulating the wheel at the same time, it suddenly disappears. But I'm sure you'd get used to it.
My car came with racing style metal foot pedals with rubber pads. A nice, big, dead pedal is provided for the left foot and a tall gas pedal hinged at the floor is an easy set-up to heel-toe, if you so desire.
The seats are very comfortable and supportive, apart from a seatbelt shoulder strap that might be uncomfortable on a long trip. It's anchored behind the seat and below shoulder level.
The six-speed manual transmission was a treat to use. It has short throws and gear engagement was crisp. Clutch action was nice, too, smooth and not too light or heavy - just right. I also liked the gear layout which has Reverse on the left so there's little or no risk of selecting it by accident.
The TT is quicker than it seems, as there's no tell-tale tire squeal as you sprint off the line. A glance down at the speedometer can be an -- uh, oh -- reality jolt. Audi claims a zero to 100 km/h time of just 5.5 seconds.
Very stable on the road, the TT has a light, highly maneuverable, go-kart feel that's very entertaining to drive. A mechanical spoiler automatically pops out of the trunk lid at 120 km/h and retracts at 80 km/h. An inside switch can also deploy or retract it at any time, at the driver's discretion.
In summary, the new Audi TT looks like, and is, a more serious sports car than its predecessor. Leaner and meaner, in a good way, the new TT is a blast to drive.
CanadianDriver: Test Drive - 2008 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro roadster
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