Performance to the Fourth Power
The Audi TT coupe I tested this week performed to the 4th power - four
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| The TT is a coupe capable of delivering soul-stirring performance and exhilarating fun. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
turbo-charged pistons driving four pavement-etching tires via four driving wheels. A few other noteworthy numbers include "5," in reference to the number of valves per-cylinder and "6" in relation to the number of cogs spinning in the manual gearbox. Rounding-out the equation is 225 horsepower and 207 foot-pounds of torque. Factor in a lean curb weight of 1,465 kilograms (3,223 lbs) and the TT adds up to a coupe capable of delivering sole-stirring performance and exhilarating fun.
Built in the spirit of the world's great sports cars, the TT's resemblance to the Auto Union racers of 1934 to 1939, or Porsches of the 1950s is no accident. Neither is its "TT"
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| Owners may have difficulty accepting this fact, but the TT is built on the same architecture as the Volkswagen Golf, New Beetle and Jetta. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
nameplate, which arises from a European motorsport-racing event, called the Tourist Trophy, dating back to 1905. The modern day TT was first unveiled in 1995 as a spectacular looking concept vehicle. Congratulations to Audi for carrying the project through. The tight-as-a-drum coupe was launched into production for the 2000 model year, with a roadster arriving in 2001. Owners may have difficulty accepting this fact, but the TT is built on the same architecture as the Volkswagen Golf, New Beetle and Jetta. But that shouldn't be considered a stigma, given the desirable road manners of VW's compact lineup. Besides, Volkswagen AG owns Audi, so not re-inventing the architecture makes prudent business sense, and for that matter the only reason a car as cool as the TT exists at all.
