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Audi TT 2007 Review

The TT also drew deeply from Audi's history, particularly on the styling front, and set a bold direction for the company, which is about to lead on to the R8 mid-engine supercar.

Now the TT has been renewed and Audi has taken the same basic recipe but added new ingredients to develop a model claimed to be better in every area.

The body is slightly bigger than the 1998 original but comes in lighter thanks to 140kg of aluminium, the cabin is roomier, there is more sophisticated rear suspension, more technology and more safety.

Detail changes include a speed-activated rear spoiler and a sports steering wheel with the same squared-off bottom edge first seen in Audi's brilliant RS4.

The numbers say it is 137mm longer and 78mm wider than its predecessor, but only 6mm taller, with power up from 147kW to 184kW and torque from 280 to 320Nm.

The basic 2.0-litre turbo can sprint to 100km/h in less than seven seconds.

The shape still shouts TT, but the detailing is a little more angular, the wheels are bigger and the roof is set back further over a body which is still pumped out to the corners.

The effect is slightly more muscular and the TT will sit comfortably in a line-up with a growing sports emphasis through the S and RS models.

Audi Australia expects the new TT to beat the benchmark set by the original with three models — at least at first, with the TT cabrio coming later this year — priced from $68,900.

The TT line-up starts with the 2.0-litre front-wheel-drive turbo manual, moves up to the 2.0-litre automatic (above) at $72,500, and tops out with the 3.2-litre V6 Quattro auto at $88,900.

These are value prices in a class where the Audi coupe goes up against the smooth, new BMW 3-Series two-door and the Benz SLK, as well as a range of other hero cars including the Nissan 350Z and Mazda's RX8.

The Audi contender comes with the strength of its styling and a sports car package, but is let down — in Australia — by a boot not as roomy as it looks and no spare tyre.

Still, it will be a winner and Audi Australia is reporting a full order book and asking for extra cars beyond its 2007 allocation of 400 TTs.

The company's managing director, Joerg Hofmann, says the car will help give the German brand another showroom record Down Under.

"The new Audi TT is a clear leader in terms of its design and its sporty performance. It will be a very important model for Australia and we expect the arrival of the new TT to boost both our sales and our image in this country," he says.

Deliveries have already begun and Audi is expected to reveal the next step in its TT plan at the Melbourne Motor Show in March, with a preview of the new Cabriolet.

 

ON THE ROAD

THE new TT could still only be a TT. It has the same head-turner looks of the original, the same individualistic cabin and the same performance.

We spent our test time in the basic car with the 2.0-litre turbo motor, and believe it will be the pick of the litter.

It might not have the hit of the V6 or its Quattro all-wheel-drive, but it is a nice drive and delivers on its promises.

It is a sporty coupe that can answer your calls, but is not taking itself too seriously.

That sounds a little condescending, but it's important to put the TT into context.

It is not as hard-edged as a Nissan 350Z or as quick as the new BMW 335i coupe, but it will have more than enough go and grip for most people who have the car on their shopping list.

It is a car that is enjoyable all the time, gives you a smile, and has plenty of luxury and equipment for the price.

We like the turbo motor in the TT because it has a stunning drive all the time, yet still has a remarkable top end.

It is easy to keep cooking, even from idle, with excellent overtaking power and the ability to flow along twisty roads with a solid surge between corners that does not turn the car into a bucking nasty.

On the suspension front, the new TT feels a lot more composed than the original.

You can feel the extra numbers in the footprint in the way it copes with bumps, stays composed through corners and bites during braking.

Not once did we feel the TT was trying to get away from us. The original often bounced or kicked through the steering, or just felt it was closing on the ability of its suspension to cope with the car's power and position.

The new car's fully independent rear suspension obviously makes a difference, but the TT also shows the general progress that Audi has made in the front suspension of all its recent models.

We have driven a lot of second-generation prestige cars over the past 18 months and, almost without exception, they feel more mature and refined.

That includes everything from the new Benz CLK to the latest BMW 3-Series.

It also applies with the TT, which is the same but different. More composed, more fluid and more relaxed.

We liked everything from the response of the turbo engine to the smooth shift in the six-speed manual and the ability to put a couple of (small) people in the back seat.

But the car is still horrendous to park, there is lousy three-quarter vision, and the boot is not nearly as roomy as you expect from the increased length.

And we have to register a complaint about the absence of a spare.

There is no doubt the new TT is a very, very good car and it is one we could easily choose and recommend.

It is not a sharp-edged sports car, but it drives very nicely and there is something special about driving a coupe that has the ability to attract so much interest.

 

THE BOTTOM LINE

82/100

A GOOD car is even better — it even looks better and sharper than the original.

Pricing guides

$14,990
Based on 6 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months
Lowest Price
$13,990
Highest Price
$14,990

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
2.0 Tfsi 2.0L, PULP, 6 SP MAN $8,580 – 12,100 2007 Audi TT 2007 2.0 Tfsi Pricing and Specs
2.0 Tfsi 2.0L, PULP, 6 SP $10,010 – 13,750 2007 Audi TT 2007 2.0 Tfsi Pricing and Specs
3.2 Quattro 3.2L, PULP, 6 SP $11,770 – 15,730 2007 Audi TT 2007 3.2 Quattro Pricing and Specs
3.2 Quattro 3.2L, PULP, 6 SP $14,080 – 18,480 2007 Audi TT 2007 3.2 Quattro Pricing and Specs
Pricing Guide

$13,990

Lowest price, based on 4 car listings in the last 6 months

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