AutoCar has driven the new Audi TT, and proclaimed it to be a genuine Porsche Cayman S rival.
With a combination of sharpened responses, reduced weight, improved power and the availability of the improved S-Tronic dual-clutch gearbox, the magazine indicates that the four-ringed fashion statement has come good with enthusiasts.
Their conclusion?
There's no question about it: the new TT has taken a huge leap forward in the way it drives. Like the latest RS4, it proves that Ingolstadt's attitude to dynamics has changed out of all recognition compared with the uninspiring Audis of the past decade or more.
We can't wait to get our mitts on one and see for ourselves.
[Source: AutoCar]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Calvin @ Jun 9th 2006 11:24AM
Good to hear.
http://wheeltalk.fancal.net/?p=349
I put a deposit on the original TT Quattro and was that much closer to getting it and then decided to go for the Boxster. When I finally did drive the TT Quattro, it felt very much like a dud when compared to the Boxster. Even in the styling department, I think the Boxster has aged far better.
Now Audi seems to be trying to differentiate itself more from VW. That's a good thing not only for them, but also for VW as a whole.
Fazzster @ Jun 9th 2006 11:25AM
Having owned an 02, Audi would have to take a huge leap forward with this car to compete with a Cayman. I remain sceptical.....
Michael Karesh @ Jun 9th 2006 11:28AM
So now the press finds the Audis of the last decade or more uninspiring?
When I drove an A4 or an A6 and found its handling and general driving enjoyment subpar, people trashed my reviews. Look at all of the comparison tests these cars win in the magazines!
Seems all that understeer wasn't just a figment of my imagination.
A list of my reviews can be found in the sidebar to this page:
http://www.truedelta.com/brands.php
Some of my older Audi reviews aren't listed there. Here's one for the 2003 A4 3.0:
http://www.epinions.com/content_77238210180
Title: "Beautiful, luxurious, and highly refined, but not much fun to drive"
fred @ Jun 9th 2006 11:39AM
it may be good, but it will NEVER be a pioneer like the original TT. I qualify in the group of people who have secretly been in love with the TT for years...and now that resale values will drop...i'm going after the original.
J @ Jun 9th 2006 12:19PM
so many times when a manufacturer redesigns a car it ends up being heavier, good to see audi put it on a diet while improving it.
Matt @ Jun 9th 2006 12:21PM
Good. You can't spell the word Audi without using the letters "understeer". I think. Is that right? I was an engineering major.
Mike G @ Jun 9th 2006 12:36PM
It better drive well, considering how ugly the new version is. Along with the Jaguar XK, car designers seem to be forgetting that style matters.
You want a beautiful sports car? Buy the Alfa 8C Competizione, if it ever gets built. But this new TT looks like an angry crab on steroids.
Christian J @ Jun 9th 2006 12:41PM
The TT: Car for people whose main staple is lattés, wine and French films. The handling characteristics of the old one were AWFUL and not pioneering. Think you can compete with a Cayman? HAHAHAHAHAHA. Even funnier. Everything but the top top trimline will suck bad, just like the A3, which if remember is one of the worst handling cars tested in the last 2 years in R&T.
the snob @ Jun 9th 2006 12:48PM
Not that a RWD Porsche isn't fun to drive in the snow, but for practical use up here in the snow belt, the TT with Quattro is going to handle a lot better for 3-4 months of the year.
Sean @ Jun 9th 2006 12:50PM
Pardon me for being cynical, but I doubt the magazine called the old car poor when it was new, yet when the replacemnet arrives, they let it out. I don't trust this stupid weekly publication who want to make sales with bold coverpages.
Audi will always be number 1 in knowing how to make a car with a totally dead steering feel.
Scott @ Jun 9th 2006 12:55PM
Christian, You are incorrect. You dont seem to mind.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=2396&page_number=3
Aaron @ Jun 9th 2006 1:12PM
Scott,
Christian J always trashes the handling of the A3 sighting the same R&T article each time. He fails to realize 4 things. 1> That car did NOT have the sports package, which R&T mentioned was a big problem. 2> It had all season tires. Tires are the easiest way to improve handling. 3> The car has obviously been raised several inches to imporve side-impact protection. Take one look at the car. It rides a good inch and a half to two inches too high. This wasn't the fault of the handling engineers.
Brian @ Jun 9th 2006 2:03PM
Aaron, your last point in defense of the A3 is not acceptable. VWAG seems to have a problem during the design phase of their vehicles, in which they forget that they sell cars in America.
They could design a car from the start to be very safe on American and European roads, or they can take the easy way out and simply raise the suspension a few inches when federalizing it for American shores. The new VW GTI also has a 4x4 look to it.
Michael Karesh @ Jun 9th 2006 2:18PM
I've driven the A3 with and without the sports package. The sports package makes a HUGE difference.
My site's page to the A3, with a link to my review:
http://www.truedelta.com/models/A3.php
Fact of the matter is very few cars have great steering.
Aaron @ Jun 9th 2006 3:09PM
Brain,
I don't agree with your point. The car is high but I'm emphasizing that it handles well with the sports package.
As far as the "they forget that they sell cars in America" comment goes... I don't follow you at all. What American car company makes a wagon that handles half as well as the A3? Is there one out there. The Magnum? Hardly. The Mazda3? Maybe.
It seems to me the American market as a whole emphasizes saftey and utility over handling and performance. Take a look at all the SUVs that litter our market. Where do you feel they are coming up short?
The areas I think that need imporving are VW's marketing and quality across the brands.
Christian J @ Jun 9th 2006 4:47PM
Aaron: Well, have fun getting the Sports Package and paying how much for the whole thing? My car runs on all-seasons, and STOMPS on the Audi A3 for handling for substantially less dough. I'm sure the handling isn't all that bad, but when you're in the same scope as the Prius and the Scion xB, uh, that IS bad. You are paying for the badge, gadgets and leather, but bugger all else. What exactly does Audi stand for now?
Christian J @ Jun 9th 2006 5:42PM
PS. I guarantee you that a Magnum (2WD) outhandles that idiotic A3. The Mazda 3 will as well. So I reiterate, what am I paying for with the A3?
Aaron @ Jun 9th 2006 6:32PM
Christian J - What is it you drive exactly? And why such hate for the "idiotic" A3? You don't like the car, fine. But you act like one drove through your living room. Have you driven one?
I paid under $29K for mine... its well built, perfect engine for around town driving, great gearbox (better than anything else on the market), flexible layout in a small package, its not a gimiky crossover and they'll only sell around 15,000 a year at most. I don't want what everyone else has.
Clarence @ Jun 9th 2006 6:42PM
Reply to #10. Pardon me for being cynical, but I doubt the magazine called the old car poor when it was new, yet when the replacemnet arrives, they let it out. -Sean
I have been reading car mags since the 50's. Ten years into it I realized that they always called the new cars super magnificent and referred to the old ones as rough riding, lousy steering and handling. They will not bite the hand that feeds them.
Don't worry about the Audi winning over the Cayman. The Audi looks like the result of sex and the Cayman looks like: Oh yes, let's do it!
doglet @ Jun 9th 2006 7:39PM
it is great to hear that the tt is no longer a girl(or gay guy or engling guy) only car.