488CU

Whether the new ('04?) S4 comes with either a new bi-turbo v6 or a NA v8, it should have a considerable HP increase. For the sake of arguement, lets use a conservative estimate of 320 HP. That would place the S4 as serious competition to the M3 and C32.

Now on the other hand you've got the new ('04?) TT. Speculation abounds on what Audi is gonna do under the hood. If the TT gets a turbo'd v6 or something else, should Audi make the TT a better performance car (0-60, quarter mile, skidpad, etc...) than the new S4?

IMO: The TT should be the performance car of the lot. Frankly, it looks the part, but it can't keep up with the current S4 (modding excluded on both). Maybe Audi should build a RS-TT line for the goreallyfast/cornerdamnhard folks?

James

Ego

I think that as long as the S4 and TT exist in the same model year, the S4 will always be a better performer. Further, I think that it is rather likely that as each generation comes along, the new generation TT will be faster than the previous generation S4, but the S4 will always stay ahead of the same generation TT.

Bob W.

...don't forget handling. An unmodified TT will outhandle most S4s, even those with suspension work and better brakes...lighter weight, better weight distribution, lower center of gravity. Of course, we're assuming drivers of equal skill.

Also keep in mind the TT is only in its 3rd year of existence and it's the first true 'sports car' that Audi has produced in quite some time...give the engineers a little more development time and I think the balance of power may change. I agree it should...sports car vs. sports sedan.

Agent911

of course, i doubt anyone would pay the price of a boxter s for a TT, I personally would get boxter s.

TT has to be proven over a period of time, before they can increase its price, and ppl trust it to pay more cash.

488CU

So true. Speed costs money. But I'd be willing to pay a premium cost to have a fast, well performing TT.

Figure if the bar is a Boxster S, you're looking at a base price of $51,600 w/no options. 225 TT coupes start at $36,100. Loaded, the TT figure hits $39,700 (no nav). I'd pay an extra ~$3 to 5K for the "performance package" that would turn the TT into an all-out sports car. In return for my cash, I'd expect the TT to equal or out-perform the Boxster S (especially in brute acceleration).

So for $44K, I get a great car without having to worry about the infamous warranty void issues. Other car manufacturers do it (Corvette, M Coupe, 350Z, etc...), so there might be hope yet!

James

bldn10

w/ little direct competition (at least in coupe form) so why make the TT the performance leader? Audi wants to beat BMW at its own game - the best sports sedans in the world. They don't have to reach the new M3 level because of price but the S4 certainly needs to kick some serious 330i butt. I wonder what A0A really thinks the competition for the TT is - what do you think? I wanted a coupe so for me it was the 330i, and I probably should have looked at the manual 300is but I didn't and I couldn't wait for the 350Z.

ND4SPD

Cmon, get serious AWD, hot coupe, fast, need more?

488CU

I've had a 225 TTR and I've found it wanting in terms of performance. Sure, the styling is outstanding and the build quality is superior, but the performance is lagging. IMO: The TT is too heavy for its power output, the lagginess of the turbo is highly annoying, and the body rolls altogether too much in hard cornering. I don't know about you, but I do like "spirited driving". Of all the performance cars I've owned, I found the TT was sub-par. I guess I expected more for my $42K.

The only reason I would even suggest making the TT a higher powered/performance tuned vehicle is because I still love the styling. Nothing would entice me more into buying another one if Audi offered a package that tuned it toward the performance enthusiast. If Audi never plans to go that route, it guess it's time for me to drop the future TT off my list and look toward the new S4...

ND4SPD

In it's class and certainly classes above it.