First Drive Audi TT Quattro a Trip Back to Glory Days of Sports Cars

[Los Angeles Times via DowVision - Rcvd: May 3, 04:45 AM EDT]

Publication Date: Wednesday May 3, 2000

Page G-1

Los Angeles Times (Home Edition)

Copyright 2000 / The Times Mirror Company

By LARRY SAAVEDRA

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Not since the 1960s--when badges such as MG, Austin Healy and Triumph
were heralded as an expression of youth--have sports cars enjoyed as
much notoriety as they do today.

The trend--fed by a seemingly insatiable appetite among baby boomers
(and other folks of means) for anything that says "retro" or
"nostalgia"--has generated a seemingly unending stream of sleek new
roadsters.

Indeed, if you are one of those drivers who just have to scream, "I
feel 18 again!" you won't lack for choices in today's crowded
convertible marketplace.

Just count 'em: the parade-leading Mazda Miata, a decade down the
highway; the late-'90s Teutonic trinity of BMW Z3, Mercedes-Benz SLK
and Porsche Boxster; and two fresh-for-2000 entrants from Japan, the
Honda S2000 and Toyota MR2 Spyder.

Now append to that list the highly anticipated soft-top versions of
Audi's TT, a smash hit as a coupe that will see its audience expand
with the arrival of the front-drive 2001 TT roadster and TT roadster
with Quattro IV all-wheel drive.

Both versions continue the impressive legacy of the Concept One, the
retro design that evolved into Volkswagen's New Beetle and the
original TT coupe. But differences under their shells make for two
distinct rides, as evidenced by our recent test drive on the majestic
red-rock roads of Arizona north of Phoenix.

Our jaunt took in the sights and smells of the Mazatzal Wilderness and
the Sierra Ancha range through small towns miles from the clamor of
city life. The only way to truly appreciate a spring day in this kind
of paradise is with the top down and your Oakleys in place, and the
two new TTs generally proved up to the task.

*

First up: the $38,900 TT Quattro and its turbocharged 1.8-liter
engine, a combination designed to devour everything in its path. That
includes the unlucky rodent that decided to test its fate one day
during our test drive.

This refined convertible goes from zero to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds,
pumps out 225 horsepower and 207 foot-pounds of torque, and comes
standard with six gears. From its aluminum-laden, Nappa leather
interior to its single turbocharger with twin inline intercoolers
assuring a steady stream of cold air for the fuel mix, this car
screams luxury and performance.

For performance nuts, there is almost no lag (hesitation) in the
turbocharger. It comes on strong in the low end of the rpm band and
keeps making horsepower until redline. It's not neck-snapping turbo
power, but you hear and feel every bit of its whine.

But what sets this car apart from other open-topped two-seaters is
all-wheel drive, which keeps it clinging tenaciously to the road.
Unlike with traditional rear- and front-drive sports cars that often
oversteer or understeer when tossed around corners, nothing we threw
at the TT Quattro in the twisties made it flinch. Balanced to
perfection, the car is so sure-footed at speed that it makes even an
average driver feel like a maestro.

The roadster comes with the rear spoiler and mechanical suspension
improvements that Audi started adding in October after several
stability-related high-speed accidents in Germany. Audi USA is also
developing a program for retrofitting TTs with electronic stability
control as an owner-requested option, and will provide the system as
standard equipment on all TTs and other Audi performance vehicles sold
after June.

What about air turbulence? Hey, Audi figured that one out, too. At the
flick of a switch, a retractable glass windbreak, shaped to match its
twin aluminum head hoops, cuts cockpit turbulence dramatically. Just
don't forget to roll up the windows.

You'll find the form-fitting soft top just as driver-friendly as the
handling. It opens in a single-stage process and stows out of sight
behind the seats. A tonneau cover comes standard and can be easily
attached without the traditional fussy buttons or zippers.

Looks and feel are not the only areas in which the TT Quattro roadster
shines. It also boasts a well-engineered 120-watt Bose audio system
that delivers enough concert-quality sound to make Eddie Van Halen
blush. The key to audio performance in a convertible is being able to
hear the highs, lows and mid-range notes with the engine running at
full throttle. The seven-speaker system proved unflappable even with
the top down in freeway traffic.

*

To be sure, the TT Quattro is not as perfect as its sleek profile
might otherwise suggest. Weighing in at 3,473 pounds, it is big-boned
for a sports car.

But to be fair to Audi, some of that plumpness is due to the exemplary
safety features, including high-strength side-intrusion protection
bars in the doors, the use of thicker metal in the sill areas and
sturdier transitions at the joints between the A- and B-pillars and
the floor assembly. That's why, when asked about rollover safety, Audi
representatives could state confidently that the roadster is as strong
on its roof as is the new 2001 TT coupe.

And, of course, some of the added weight comes from the universally
admired Quattro system, which incorporates a rear parallelogram
multi-link independent suspension and MacPherson struts up front.

Beyond issues of weight, the shifter felt notchy and not nearly as
dynamic and silky as that of Porsche's Boxster or even the less pricey
Toyota MR2 Spyder.

At triple-digit speeds, both the Boxster and MR2 Spyder were also more
reminiscent of what most enthusiasts would consider a classic "sports
car." However, we came to appreciate the refined suspension feel of
the TT in rough road conditions, as it glided over railroad tracks and
other ordinary obstacles with ease.

Then there's the optional "baseball glove" seat upholstery with
true-to-form leather stitching, which reeks of overindulgence and
could prove uncomfortable, to say the least, on long hauls. Durability
is also an issue here, although Audi assures us these hand-stitched
seats are fully covered under the factory warranty.

*

Now, about that front-drive model: It boasts most of the features of
the other package but offers just 180 horsepower--and no Quattro. It
is certainly nimble, and fully 342 pounds (and $5,700) slimmer than
its more-capable sib, but that's where the advantages begin and end.

Given the choice, we'd head straight for the 225-horsepower model
without looking back. After all, if you're going to reminisce about
the glory days of the sports car, best to do it in something with
muscle.

*

Larry Saavedra, editor of Sport Compact Car magazine, can be reached
at larrys@mcmullenargus.com. This is his first review for Highway 1.

PHOTO: Audi TT Quattro pumps out 225 horsepower from its turbocharged
1.8-liter engine.; ; PHOTOGRAPHER: Audi; PHOTO: Six-speed manual
transmission, leather interior are standard in the Quattro.;

(END)

03:09 EDT May 3, 2000

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<p>
PiloTT
'00 TTQ Raven Blk

 

Again? I never left 18! Thanks Denny.

 

Thanks, Denny.

 

A very well rounded and well written article. Thanks for sharing it!

 

<p><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/wennch.gif " border="0">

 

Good one, Denny.....thanks for the posting!!