Audi TT Coupe 2008

By Philippe Legault

A little bit of history before starting the evaluation of this tryout. The Audi TT took shape in 1994 when a team of young designers sketched the concepts. These trials gave birth to two concept cars: the TT coupe revealed at the Frankfurt Salon in 1995 and the roadster named ‘TTS’ presented at the Tokyo Salon the same year. The base model appeared in September of 1998 with very few aesthetic changes when compared to the concept car, which is quite rare it the auto world.

Now, ten years later, a new TT generation appears. The Audi TT Coupe 3.2 quattro 2008 underwent a complete redesign; it’s longer and wider. The new characteristics give the car exceptional stability. The Audi TT Coupe 3.2 quattro 2008 has a new suspension and a revised power train. The line has better balance and remains just as prestigious.

This new version respects to the letter (a little play on words) the meaning of the TT abbreviation because the abbreviation is short for «Technology and Tradition».

T as in Technology

In fact, the Audi TT Coupe 3.2 quattro 2008 displays a host of technological features such as:

• the adaptive lighting system with dynamic directional projection which brightens turns at night;
• the integrated iPod compatibility allowing iPod utilisation and charging signalled via radio or by the multifunctional steering wheel;
• standard Bluetooth installation;
• among other technology, the Quattro MD all-wheel drive and the electromechanically assisted steering which provides firm and high speed handling yet supple during parking and low speed manoeuvres;
• let’s not forget the Audi Magnetic Ride. This revolutionary suspension adjusts automatically and continuously the damping in accordance with real driving situations. This technology (option only) uses shocks without traditional oil but relies on minute magnetic particles for lubrication. The shock absorbing properties change rapidly when an electric current passes through. This could be the suspension of future sports cars;
• As to security, the Audi TT Coupe 3.2 quattro 2008 comes with two level deployment front and lateral bags for the driver and the front passenger;
• an electronic stabilization programme (ESP) which works well without getting in the way;
• among the tech gadgets, there’s a back fin that stretches automatically at 120km/h and retracts at 80km/h. For speed demons, be reassured, even if you try to top 209 km/h (electronically blocked) and you’re stopped by the police ‘with your fin up’, you could always argue that the fin can be controlled manually by a button on the central console.
  
  Of course, the Audi TT Coupe 3.2 quattro 2008 has other interesting features but we limited ourselves to those above.