Exterior Styling

Although the Audi TT's dimensions have been increased slightly to improve packaging-it's 5.4 inches longer, 3.0 inches wider, and a quarter-inch taller-it's still a compact shape with a short rear overhang and carefully beveled front end that helps diminish the impression of front overhang. The new Audi TT single-frame radiator outline probably suits this model best of all, and it's integrated into the new car's face by feline headlight shapes and deep front air intakes. New regulations for pedestrian protection have been incorporated.

The roofline has been moved farther rearward than in the first Audi TT, and the proportions look better balanced. Although the original shape has been recaptured faithfully, it has been proportioned and finessed with interesting surface details. The contours in the rear bumper and tail section lend greater maturity and sophistication to the car, and the flared wheel housings, prominent exhaust outlets, and contrasting diffuser color are expressed in high-performance design language. The taillights use free-form reflector technology to achieve a three-dimensional effect.

A new rear spoiler is neatly integrated, emerging from its hiding place only at speeds above 75 mph (on an articulated linkage that projects it up and out) to prevent repeats of the first Audi TT's alleged rear-end lift at high speed. Larger side mirrors-complying with the latest rearview regulations-improve visibility without looking incongruous with the svelte shape.

The Audi TT now slices through the air with a drag coefficient of just 0.30, much better than the 0.34 of its predecessor. Furthermore, various wind-tunnel tweaks (such as an almost completely flat underbody) have improved the car's aerodynamic performance, despite its increased frontal area.

Interior

Although the overall interior effect isn't as dramatic a statement as that of the original Audi TT, it has been updated and simplified. The separate center-tunnel bars that used to contact tall drivers' right knees are gone, replaced by a conventional center console. Three circular air outlets replace the previous two-vent dash signature, and larger, clearer instrumentation is fitted. The center dash console, containing the navigation/info screen when so specified, is angled slightly toward the driver.

A leather wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel with a circular center boss embellished with the four-ring Audi symbol continues the high-performance design motif. Cast of lightweight magnesium, the steering wheel (plus airbag) weighs just 6.2 pounds.

There's a lot of metal look and actual metal trim inside the car, including the air outlet rings, the pedal pads and footrest, the inlays on the center console and glove box, and sill trims in the door apertures. Real pile carpeting is used, and optional leather trim is available on the Audi TT 3.2 Quattro model on the handbrake, door pulls and center tunnel armrests.

In Europe, the 2.0T Audi TT has cloth upholstery, while the Audi TT 3.2 Quattro boasts a leather/Alcantara combination as standard issue. Various leather combinations will be offered as options, along with an extended aluminum trim package.

Interior space was improved as a result of the overall increase in dimensions, with over an inch more shoulder room

Not many cars are icons right from the moment of introduction, but Audi's TT definitely belongs to this select club. From the moment the media and the public set eyes on Audi's dramatic Bauhaus styling, they drooled all over it. And if the exterior shape got them all a-quiver, the ground-breaking interior design helped blind most critics to the fact that the Audi TT was built on a Golf platform of no particular distinction. The first cars were front-drivers and definitely lacked something in the refinement stakes. When Audi Quattro versions appeared, they did much to civilize the steering, but it took the installation of the 3.2-liter V-6 and Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) to elevate the Audi TT to a position of near parity in the premium European sports-coupe league.

Without losing its instantly recognizable on-road presence, the 2008 Audi TT model addresses many of the shortcomings in the now-aging predecessor; it now has aluminum structures, more-powerful engines, and a revised DSG, now called S tronic. Although the Audi TT is instantly recognizable out on the road for what it is, almost everything about it has been revised and upgraded. You really need to park the two models side by side to appreciate the extent of the makeover.