2008 Audi TT Review

PROS
Fantastic acceleration and roadholding, Exquisite interior, Reasonable fuel economy

CONS
Crazy-cramped back seat, Poor rearward visibility, Limited cargo space

After taking the 2007 model year off, the Audi TT returns for '08 with a vengeance. The TT comes in hatchback or convertible form and competes with vehicles like the BMW 3-Series, Infiniti G37, Mercedes-Benz CLK, and Porsche 911. Hatchbacks seat four on two front bucket seats and a rear bench seat. Convertibles are strictly two seaters.

Two models are offered: 2.0T and 3.2. The 2.0T is front-drive only and comes with a Turbocharged, 200-horsepower four-cylinder engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. 3.2 models get Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system and a 250-horsepower 3.2-liter V6. Standard on the 3.2 is a 6-speed manual transmission. Optional is 6-speed automatic.

Standard safety equipment on all models includes antilock brakes, stability control, tire-pressure monitor, and front, front-side, and knee airbags. A rear-obstacle detection system is optional.

2.0T models include air conditioning with automatic climate control, tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather upholstery, split-folding rear seatback, power mirrors, windows, and door locks, keyless entry, theft-deterrent system, popup rear spoiler, fog lights and alloy wheels. 3.2 adds heated front seats, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps and larger wheels and tires.

Key options include Bose sound system, navigation system, Bluetooth cell-phone connection, iPod interface, satellite radio, HID headlamps, and a driver-selectable suspension system.

The 2.0T convertible has a manually operated convertible top, while 3.2 gets a power top. Both models have a power-retractable wind blocker. Prices start at $34,800 for the 2.0T hatchback and rise to $45,900 for a 3.2 convertible. All models are built in Hungary and carry a destination charge of $775.

Get up and Go
Even in milder 2.0T form, the TT is quick. Audi claims a 0-60 mph time of just 6.1 seconds, placing it among the fastest 4-cylinder coupes on the street. When pressed, the 2.0T jumps off the line and offers good passing power. It's hard to imagine anyone needing more power in reasonable street driving. If you did, there's always the 3.2, which Audi pegs at 5.5 seconds from 0-60 mph. The 3.2 is lightning quick in low-speed passing bursts and pulls like a freight train on the highway.

The 2.0T's turbocharged engine suffers some power-delivery lag in quick passing bursts, but never seems taxed or out of breath. Manual transmission is a breeze to shift and clutch action is excellent. First gear is very short and isn't necessary unless you want to maximize acceleration. Sixth gear also seems a trifle low, which creates a buzzy sensation in highway cruising. It makes for good passing response without shifting, but also hurts overall fuel economy.

Speaking of fuel economy, the 3.2 with manual transmission is EPA rated at 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Those numbers compare favorably to competitors like the BMW 3-Series, Infiniti G37, and Mercedes CLK. In real-world driving, the 3.2 is likely to average close to 20 mpg in city driving and 26 mpg in highway driving. Given a gentile throttle foot, an overall average of 24 mpg is quite possible. Audi says that both engines require premium-grade fuel.

On the Road
Audi's goal with the '08 TT was to move it from pretender to contender in the sports coupe segment. That meant giving all models a more sophisticated suspension and a better handling characteristics. The 2.0T offers a controlled ride that's comfortable on all surfaces. 3.2 models have an active ride, which borders on busy. It's never harsh, but it's also far from smooth on all but blemish-free pavement.

Both models have quick and accurate steering and powerful brakes. Body lean is minimal and the tires grip with assurance.

The firmer ride pays off in the handling department. The 2.0T model feels nimble and athletic. 3.2 models have razor-sharp handling that's on par with all competitors. Occasionally the rear end hops out of line when traversing bumps in the middle of a turn. This is somewhat unsettling, but not uncommon among sports coupes.

The optional driver-selectable suspension has comfort and sport settings. While handling limits don't seem to differ between the two settings, the sport mode rides noticeably more firmly.

Despite having a limited-slip differential, 2.0T models suffer from a slight amount of torque steer under hard acceleration at low speeds. Audi's quattro All-wheel-drive system, which is standard on the 3.2, does an excellent job of sending power to the wheels with the most traction. It also doesn't seem to create an undue amount of drag when coasting down to a stop.

TT has more road and wind noise than a typical sedan, but cruises more quietly than most competitors. The engine makes magnificent sounds under hard acceleration and calms to a gentle hum in mild highway driving.

Behind the Wheel
Audi has gone to great lengths to clean up the TT's interior compared to the previous generation. While that model was styled with a retro theme, the interior of the new TT is all business and beauty. Materials are top notch and all buttons and switches are clearly market. Models with the optional navigation system get MMI, a multi-media interface that allows operation of the radio and nav system from a single toggle knob. It's more intuitive than BMW's i-drive or Mercedes' COMMAND, but still not as functional as simple buttons and knobs for each control.

Front bucket seats are very firm, but also quite supportive in aggressive driving. Head and leg room are good for a sporty coupe as is entry exit thanks to tall short doors. The steering wheel is flat on the bottom, this takes some getting used to, but creates additional room for the driver's legs in straight ahead cruising. Visibility is good thanks to large outside mirrors and thin front pillars. The hatchback design dictates larger rear pillars than on most coupes, but also allows for a larger rear window.

Rear seats are only offered in the hatchback and are best left to kids or a briefcase or two. Headroom is tight and there is absolutely no leg room if the front seats are pushed all the way back. It's also difficult to get back there because the front seats don't flip forward very far and the door opening is too short.

With rear seatbacks folded, Hatchback models have 13.1 cubic-feet of cargo space. That's fairly generous by sports coupe standards. In addition, the hatchback is large and opens wide with a nicely finished semi-hard privacy cover. Interior storage is limited to a few open and covered bins.

Bottom Line
If the first TT was all about retro, the second-generation is all about performance. Audi engineers did an excellent job of bring TT into the performance realm of competitors like the 3-Series, G37, and CLK without destroying the car's character or overall usefulness. TT's polished and user-friendly interior is a breath of fresh air in this segment, as are its civilized road manners.

Audi's trump card, as always, is quattro and it's all-weather and performance-enhancing capabilities. Prices for the new TT start out at an attractive $35,000. Even the uber-performance 3.2 hatchback lists for just $41,500. That's a couple thousand less than most competitors and a reasonable amount given the vehicle's performance level.