OTOF

Motoring: Inside job Right down to the smallest detail, the Audi TT's cabin is a triumph of creative design over bean-counting, says Cathryn Espinosa
[The Daily Telegraph London via ProQuest · Rcvd: Jul 29, 02:31 PM EDT ]


Publication Date: 20000729
By: Cathryn Espinosa


THIS car redefines the contemporary automotive interior - which means, in the convoluted way of the global car business, this is the product where the creativity-versus-cost accounting battle finally ended as a victory for pencil-wielders over paper-pushers. All Audi had to do to bring the TT to market with a cabin that is brilliantly sculpted, painstakingly detailed, utterly ergonomic and defiantly individualistic was build it around - whisper this - Volkswagen Golf componentry, with final assembly in Hungary, land of low labour costs. Easy.

Outside, the TT crouches, with a tiny roof perched atop burly, curved shoulders. Within, this car defines the subtle difference between intimate and claustrophobic; the way the roof peels down into the top of the windscreen gives any driver the - unique, admittedly - feeling of driving beneath the peak of a baseball cap one size too small. Concessions to style? Poking your head out of the side windows to reverse snugly can result in a headlock against the door frame, while hooking short legs over a broad sill makes entry and exit cumbersome.

Two themes dominate the interior. Lots of expensive-looking satin- finished aluminium details, from air-vents to instrument bezels, pedals, handles and a curious structure of flattened tubes cradling the centre tunnel. Toyota duly ripped off this slab of butch pipery for the latest MR2, executed in injection-moulded plastic, compounding its pointlessness.

And circles - hemmed in eight dimples, in a subtle play on Audi's four-ring logo. From the centre boss of the steering wheel, through the climate controls to gauges and switches, each disc is perfectly proportioned relative to its nearest mate and the rest of the cabin. Two central air-vents appear to link with semi-cylindrical demist grilles on the top of the facia: these resemble a post-modern toast- rack. Don't laugh: if Audi can legitimately design a telephone box (Inside Job, July 15), then who knows what the company will reinvent next?

Examples of flawless execution? Push the heated seat button and it pops proud of the dash: twist, and a ring of dots illuminates to confirm the level of cheek-basting selected. Air-conditioning and fan switches are spring-loaded: nudge them left or right to control temperature and wind-swoosh. At night, the TT brings further surprises. Switches glow red and a soft cascade of muted scarlet light highlights the centre tunnel, where, beneath a sliding cover, buttons for releasing the fuel flap and rear hatch are concealed.

Sturdy luggage tie-downs hint at real practicality, but Audi advises that only those shorter than 1.5m should attempt travel in the comely rear seats. Yet even the label inside the rear hatch warning of the risk of banged heads if lankier occupants attempt to get cosy is a nifty pictogram simply captioned Achtung! From the overall concept to the smallest detail, the TT remains a masterclass in automotive interiors - and putting cost accountants in their place.

Nick

Every time I read such a review, I come to appreciate something new. Thanks, Den.

Lone Starr (Ivan)

<p>Ivan
<i>Jacksonville, Florida<i>
<img SRC="http://www.geocities.com/y2ktturbo/tinytt.jpg" BORDER=0>
"Zorro" 2000MY, 180hp, Fronttrak, Silver/Ebony, MKII suspension, spoilTT,
K&N, Garmin EMap GPS, Colgan "mask", Audi roof rack, Cobra R/D

Janet

I'm having EXACTLY the same reaction to the article, Ivan....sob!!!

Lone Starr (Ivan)

I couldn't have broken the passenger's seat! Noooooo!<p>Ivan
<i>Jacksonville, Florida<i>
<img SRC="http://www.geocities.com/y2ktturbo/tinytt.jpg" BORDER=0>
"Zorro" 2000MY, 180hp, Fronttrak, Silver/Ebony, MKII suspension, spoilTT,
K&N, Garmin EMap GPS, Colgan "mask", Audi roof rack, Cobra R/D