Munich, Germany--It’s been said that the Audi TT was a pivotal point in automotive design when it landed in 1998 and I would be hard-pressed to disagree. I reckon I remember when the first images of the TT Showcar Coupé were made public in 1995; I know I still have a copy of the Road & Track edition that featured the concept. Truly drool-worthy.
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| For the 2011 model year, the TT gains the 211-hp and 258-pound-foot. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
When it came, everyone and their mother raved about the poise, power, physique and performance of this car; it was impossible to make it better... other than adding a rear spoiler that is. Just short of a decade later, Audi did what could not be done; they made the TT even hotter and more desirable than previously. With new more powerful engines, hi-tech transmissions and a front fascia to melt the polar ice caps, the TT is reborn.
Not resting on their laurels
Instead of waiting many years before updating the car’s line-up, Audi has launched a pre-emptive strike on would-be competitors Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class, BMW Z4 and Infiniti G Coupe. In fact, in Germany, the TT has outsold its Bavarian counterparts combined in the past few years. What did they do? For one, they eliminated the V6 engine from the line-up. “But they all have V6s. What gives?”.
Turbo! Direct injection! These are the magic words, and boy can they conjure up spells that will bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses (thank you Professor Snape). The famed and efficient 2.0T from Volkswagen’s extended family is a staple on which many models and variants depend on for motivation.
For the 2011 model year, the TT gains the 211-hp, 258-pound-foot iteration of the 2.0T first sampled under the bonnet of the present A4. Although the increases seem modest (11 hp and 51 lb-ft of torque), the results speak for themselves. The 2011 TT is quicker, and thanks to the S tronic dual-clutch 6-speed gearbox, the improvements are striking.
Not resting on their laurels
Instead of waiting many years before updating the car’s line-up, Audi has launched a pre-emptive strike on would-be competitors Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class, BMW Z4 and Infiniti G Coupe. In fact, in Germany, the TT has outsold its Bavarian counterparts combined in the past few years. What did they do? For one, they eliminated the V6 engine from the line-up. “But they all have V6s. What gives?”.
Turbo! Direct injection! These are the magic words, and boy can they conjure up spells that will bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses (thank you Professor Snape). The famed and efficient 2.0T from Volkswagen’s extended family is a staple on which many models and variants depend on for motivation.
For the 2011 model year, the TT gains the 211-hp, 258-pound-foot iteration of the 2.0T first sampled under the bonnet of the present A4. Although the increases seem modest (11 hp and 51 lb-ft of torque), the results speak for themselves. The 2011 TT is quicker, and thanks to the S tronic dual-clutch 6-speed gearbox, the improvements are striking.
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| When it came, everyone and their mother raved about the poise, power, physique and performance of this car. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) Less volume – displacement and fuel. More oomph! Acceleration times are not the only stats that have dropped with the introduction of this powerplant in the TT. The goal for all manufacturers these days is efficiency. When pitted against the 2.0 TSI, the TFSI produces significantly less CO2 (154 g/km) and consumes 14% less fuel, at 6.6L per 100 km highway. Improved cooling is another factor in overall performance.
This 2.0 TFSI is an example of Audi's 30 years of turbocharging experience. Turbo lag is a notion that no longer has any meaning in this application. Throttle response is immediate and all that torque comes waltzing in at only 1,600 rpm. The torque curve crests at 4,200 rpm and only 100 rpm later, max horsepower comes ‘a knockin’! We call this smooth and linear power delivery, and thankfully, there's lots of it. To put it concretely, with a 6-speed manual 'box and FWD, the TT TFSI will hit 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. In Canada, as it should, the TT can only be equipped with Quattro. A well-heeled driver will surely get the car up to the 100 km/h mark in roughly 6.5 seconds. Slithering sheet metal From the first to the second gen, the TT grew a pair where strong lines and creases are concerned. To coincide with the new bonnet stuffer, the 2011 TT's profile has been sharpened somewhat. From the front, it's not immediately obvious what has been modified. Here are a few details: the LED driving lights have been manicured, as has the single-frame “horse-collar” grille. There's a little more subtle chrome and some new wheel choices. From the rear, the diffuser has gained real-estate on the bumper and the taillights look deeper. Four new exterior colours have been added, as have four new interior tones. The cabin has not received any particular attention but, then again, it doesn't need it. Not that the shell really needed it... The front seats still cajole like mad and the driving position remains as natural as slipping on your most comfortable pair of PJs, only with racing booties and gloves. The flat-bottomed steering wheel still gives me the chills. I'm easy to please, what can I say?
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