Audi TT

The Audi TT is an automobile produced by Audi in Győr, Hungary.

TT concept

The TT was first shown as a concept car at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show. The design is credited to J Mays and Freeman Thomas of Volkswagen's California design studio. The name is an abbreviation of "Tourist Trophy", an annual road race on the Isle of Man (see:Isle of Man TT), not "twin turbo" as is sometimes assumed (the car has one turbocharger ).

TT Design

The TT's styling is regarded by many as a watershed moment in automotive design. From its introduction as a concept car in 1995, and as a production car in 1998, the design was regarded by many as bold, innovative, and evolutionary. While the car borrowed a few design elements from earlier vehicles, the overall design was considered by many to be truly unique. With its distinctive, rounded bodywork, bold use of bare aluminum (actually anodized aluminum), and a lack of defined bumpers, the TT represented a departure from much of the styling that dominated the car market at that time.

The success and popularity of the TT's iconic design gave many automotive designers (and manufacturers) greater latitude to experiment with bold, distinctive design. The TT's influence can be seen in the design elements of many vehicles released after the TT.

The TT is often regarded as the vehicle that made people take a second look at Audi. No longer just a second-tier European maker (in the vein of Saab, Volvo et al), Audi emerged as a serious competitor for the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The then-new B5-platform A4 model was a substantial improvement on its Audi 80 predecessor; these two models firmly secured Audi's position as a prestige marque.

First generation

The production model was launched as a coupé in September 1998, followed by a roadster in August 1999, based on the Volkswagen A platform used for the Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Octavia and others. The TT uses a transversely mounted engine with front or quattro all wheel drive. It was first available with a 1.8 L turbocharged inline four cylinder engine. For the first two years of production (1999-build cars were sold as 2000 models), both front wheel drive and Quattro models featured a 180 hp (134 kW) version of this engine. In 2001, a more powerful Quattro model was released which was equipped with a 225 hp (168 kW) engine which shares the same basic design but features a larger turbocharger, an additional intercooler on the driver's side, forged connecting rods, a dual exhaust, and a few other internals designed to accommodate the increase in turbo boost from roughly 10 psi peak to 15.

All TT models were recalled in late 1999/early 2000 following concerns over the car's handling which was considered unstable under high-speed cornering as the result of throttle lift-off oversteer - a number of modifications were made, which were subsequently incorporated into all future examples: rear-wing spoilers were fitted (to reduce lift) and suspension settings were altered (to increase understeer). The original four cylinder engine range was complemented with a 250 hp (186 kW) 3.2 L VR6 in early 2003, which comes with the quattro all-wheel drive system. In October, 2004 a new DSG (dual-clutch) gearbox was offered along with a stiffer suspension.

Audi has developed the TT with some notable improvements, including a 3.2 V6, a lightened and power-boosted "quattro Sport" model, and a top speed of 155mph, however the handling and steering are considered by BBC's Top Gear presenter, Jeremy Clarkson, to be "boring". It compares with the Nissan 350Z which has more grip. It should be noted, however, that the TT's handling character is deliberate, as Audi vehicles are generally designed to exhibit understeer (a characteristic determined by suspension design, the effect of the quattro all-wheel drive system, and other factors). Understeer is inherently a safer handling characteristic, as it is easier for novice and casual drivers to predict and control the vehicle (and thus the car can appeal to a much broader market). Sports car purists and driving enthusiasts, however, generally favor oversteer (which the Nissan 350Z exhibits) to understeer, as the former makes for a more involving and spirited driving experience.

Second generation

Audi is expected to reveal the second-generation TT in 2006 at the North American International Auto Show in January. In August 2004, Audi announced that the next-generation TT will be made of aluminum and would go into production in 2007 estimated to go on sale for around £30,000.

A TT concept was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005. This concept featured angular styling and a "bread wagon" 2-door hatchback body style. The production car is expected to continue the use of the 3.2 L V6 engine, with 250 hp (186 kW), and to be offered in coupe and roadster forms.

Awards

The TT was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2000. It was also on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 2000 and 2001.

References

• "Audi's TT replacement will be bigger", a Car Enthusiast article
• AutoGuideWiki.com
• Audi TT Car Club