Topic: CD Article: 2008 Audi TT 3.2 quattro roadster

[Autos_Editor]

Today's Test Drive:

Roadster: "Leaner and meaner", the new TT has a "light, highly maneuverable, go-kart feel that's very entertaining to drive," says contributor Bob McHugh.  Audi chose a soft convertible top rather than a retractable hardtop to save space and weight, he reports.
   
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Read the article | View the photos | All The Test Drives

[The Mighty Duck]

Looks much nicer than the previous version.  I love the idea of an AWD coupe in this segment - not enough of them!  Never actually seen a roadster TT with the top up, though, come to think of it.  Not to shabby looking, even then.

[Mitlov]

 

I think that covers it.  I love the TT.  RWD purists will poo-poo it, but this car is awesome.  Fantastic looking inside and out, incredibly comfortable and quality interior (as one would expect from an Audi), lightweight and solid with all that aluminum, and the 3.2 liter narrow-angle V6 sounds incredible.

And according to the folks at Fifth Gear, the second-generation TT gives up almost nothing to the Z4 on the track.  The days of the TT being a "show not go" car are over:

http://www.egmcartech.com/2006/12/07/fifth-gear-audi-tt-vs-bmw-z4/

Make mine the coupe though.  V6, quattro, and a manual transmission, in Sahara Silver Metallic with limestone gray leather/alcantara seating:

[articsteve]

It's a great car ......  for $45000.  (US price).   It's a stupid car for $65000.     


Me thinks the 2.0 base roadster with the dual clutch tranny would make a great, safe car the wife could like.  In 4 years I might be looking for one of these used in the US of A.   

[Snowman]

I love the styling of the new TT but can’t get over the fact Audi still markets the car with “Audi's renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system” when it is actually a slip-and-go Haldex.

I would save $15k and buy a S2000 and be 

[mmret]

I love the styling of the new TT but can’t get over the fact Audi still markets the car with “Audi's renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system” when it is actually a slip-and-go Haldex.

Did not know the TT was using a Haldex, I thought the only Audi bastard child was the A3.

Still I doubt most people will notice or even know the difference.

[Snowman]

I love the styling of the new TT but can’t get over the fact Audi still markets the car with “Audi's renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system” when it is actually a slip-and-go Haldex.

Did not know the TT was using a Haldex, I thought the only Audi bastard child was the A3.

Still I doubt most people will notice or even know the difference.

All audi "quattros" with longitudally mounted engines still use the torsen center diff while all tranversly mounted engines use the haldex diff.

[mdxtasy]

Looks so much better than the original flattened Beetle.  Saw a red coupe on Friday and thought that it was a nice looker. 

[Mitlov]

I love the styling of the new TT but can’t get over the fact Audi still markets the car with “Audi's renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system” when it is actually a slip-and-go Haldex.

Did not know the TT was using a Haldex, I thought the only Audi bastard child was the A3.

Still I doubt most people will notice or even know the difference.

It didn't seem to slow the Fifth Gear people down at all until they started trying to powerslide it.  It seems to do its job quite well--far better than your typical run-of-the-mill Haldex--if you don't get hung up on the "principle" of it being a Haldex system.

[mmret]

I love the styling of the new TT but can’t get over the fact Audi still markets the car with “Audi's renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system” when it is actually a slip-and-go Haldex.

Did not know the TT was using a Haldex, I thought the only Audi bastard child was the A3.

Still I doubt most people will notice or even know the difference.

It didn't seem to slow the Fifth Gear people down at all until they started trying to powerslide it.  It seems to do its job quite well--far better than your typical run-of-the-mill Haldex--if you don't get hung up on the "principle" of it being a Haldex system.

I'd be okay if it was an Audi TT 3.2 4MOTION.

[Snowman]

I love the styling of the new TT but can’t get over the fact Audi still markets the car with “Audi's renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system” when it is actually a slip-and-go Haldex.

Did not know the TT was using a Haldex, I thought the only Audi bastard child was the A3.

Still I doubt most people will notice or even know the difference.

It didn't seem to slow the Fifth Gear people down at all until they started trying to powerslide it.  It seems to do its job quite well--far better than your typical run-of-the-mill Haldex--if you don't get hung up on the "principle" of it being a Haldex system.

I'd be okay if it was an Audi TT 3.2 4MOTION.

4MOTION is Haldex.

[mmret]

I love the styling of the new TT but can’t get over the fact Audi still markets the car with “Audi's renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system” when it is actually a slip-and-go Haldex.

Did not know the TT was using a Haldex, I thought the only Audi bastard child was the A3.

Still I doubt most people will notice or even know the difference.

It didn't seem to slow the Fifth Gear people down at all until they started trying to powerslide it.  It seems to do its job quite well--far better than your typical run-of-the-mill Haldex--if you don't get hung up on the "principle" of it being a Haldex system.

I'd be okay if it was an Audi TT 3.2 4MOTION.

4MOTION is Haldex.

Yes, what I meant is that I would be okay if it were branded as such rather than calling it Quattro. To me quattro means you use Torsen diffs, full time AWD.

[Mitlov]

Yes, what I meant is that I would be okay if it were branded as such rather than calling it Quattro. To me quattro means you use Torsen diffs, full time AWD.

Would you also rename the VW Passat 4Motion (B5 generation) the "VW Passat Quattro"?  How about the Phaeton and the Tuareg?  Because they all have Torsen differentials instead of Haldex system.

IMO, "Quattro" means "Audi AWD," and "4Motion" means "VW AWD."

Going back to the "too bad this has Haldex instead of a Torsen differential" system, I've read that the Torsen differential system requires a more forward mounting of the engine, which results in typical Audi nose-heaviness.  The transverse engine mounting and Haldex AWD in the TT gives it a much better front-to-rear weight distribution.

[mmret]

Yes, what I meant is that I would be okay if it were branded as such rather than calling it Quattro. To me quattro means you use Torsen diffs, full time AWD.

Would you also rename the VW Passat 4Motion (B5 generation) the "VW Passat Quattro"?  How about the Phaeton and the Tuareg?  Because they all have Torsen differentials instead of Haldex system.

Did not know about those, thought they were Haldex cars.

I guess I will have to separate the technical and marketing names in my mind from now on.

And since when did you know all these details about VWAG cars.

[Mitlov]

And since when did you know all these details about VWAG cars.

The details were in the "Official Fanboy Packet (TM)" which I received in the mail last week.

[mdxtasy]

Did that heart shaped avatar come with? 

I know you had the pink one last week, but the blue doesn't make it any more 'manly'. 

[Mitlov]

Did that heart shaped avatar come with? 

I know you had the pink one last week, but the blue doesn't make it any more 'manly'. 

Dude, I drive a Jetta.  Nothing I do with my avatar can salvage my manliness.  Why fight it?

[mdxtasy]

Did that heart shaped avatar come with? 

I know you had the pink one last week, but the blue doesn't make it any more 'manly'. 

Dude, I drive a Jetta.  Nothing I do with my avatar can salvage my manliness.  Why fight it?

    Atleast you don't have a vase on the dash.   

[initial_D]

It's a great car ......  for $45000.  (US price).   It's a stupid car for $65000.     


Me thinks the 2.0 base roadster with the dual clutch tranny would make a great, safe car the wife could like.  In 4 years I might be looking for one of these used in the US of A.   

Confident in Audi reliability? Or CAA Plus Gold Membership? 
Seen a number of new Audi's on tow trucks this year, the most of any make.

[mmret]

Don't need reliability with looks this hot hot hot.