Future Classics: Audi TT

The first glimpse the world had of the Audi TT was during the 1995 Frankfurt Auto Show when Audi debuts their new concept, and then went into production in 1998 for eight years. It is the norm for manufacturers to alter their concept designs drastically to meet with regulations, but this was not the case with the TT and was delivered to the showroom floors looking close to the concept.

The last year of production for the first generation Audi TT was 2006, yet two decades later and the car still looks amazing in any direction, and will continue to look timeless as time goes on.

The interior was another feat and astonished the crowd. Similar to the curvy shape outside the theme continues within the interior keeping it simplistic and spherical. With most parts finished in quality aluminum such as the circular aluminum air vents, door handles, glovebox handle and even the stereo lid proves that Audi gave great importance to the interior.

While the exterior was something different to other sports cars of the time, the chassis was kept simple and shared the same platform of the Volkswagen Golf mk4 of the time. There were two body styles available, the 2+2 Coupe and Roadster (convertible) which are both have comfortable front seats, and coupe back seat is more of a bench then a seat. There were 3 engine options: the basic model and 225 shared the same powerplant - a 1.8 litre turbo 4 cylinder putting out either 180 (distinguishable by the single rear exhaust) horsepower or 225 (distinguishable by the dual rear exhaust). The early base models were front wheel drive and equipped with 5 speed gearbox, and the rest of the range benefited from Audi's Quattro all wheel drive system and a six speed gearbox and DSG Automatic system.

However, towards the end of production in 2003 Audi introduced the 3.2-litre V6 engine, Volkswagen's VR6 powerhouse that was the engine to have during that period. This bumped up the power to 250bhp and 0-60 in 6.2 seconds, a second faster than the 225 model. At a standstill, you can visually tell the V6 apart from the rest of the range, with its aggressive front bumper with side gills and extended spoiler.

The TT is now in its third generation, always improving its game to previous models and competing to the sports car of the market. The current re-carnation of the Audi TT might be all great and more reliable and have more wizardly gadgets to it, but it would never replace the original bubble shape TT that we first laid eyes on in 1995.

Fun fact

The Audi TT takes its name from the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) successful motorcycle race tradition and NSU's Prinz-based 1000TT, 1200TT, and TTS of the 1960's. Others claim Audi originally meant for it to stand for Technology & Tradition.

 

Did you Know?

The TT was originally available without a spoiler but due to some highly publicised high speeds crashes, Audi was forced to revise the TT's suspension and add a rear spoiler to force the car to stick to the road.

Extras

Sit back and enjoy this pair of Audi TTs in Malta in a spectacular sunset scenery. The Moro blue Audi TT 225 and the Audi TT 3.2  V6 in Glacier Blue are what makes the scene complete. Enjoy!