Vorsprung durch Technik means Advancement through Technology in German. And that's exactly what one can see from all the cars in the Audi lineage. What began as a design in September 1994 at the Audi Design Center, California was first conceptualized in the year1995 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The credit for the seamless design goes to freeman Thomas and J Mays and Martin Smith lending a hand with the interiors.

The Audi TT gets its name from the British Isle of Man TT race at which Audi was quite successful since 1911.

The Audi TT has been available in two variants - a two-seater roadster and a 2 + 2 coupe. It has been in production since 1998.

The Audi TT is produced at the Gyor plant in Hungary. The first coupe was on the road from September 1998 and the roadster followed suit by August 1999.

The Audi TT uses a transversely mounted engine with Quattro all wheel drive or another option that includes just front wheel drive. The first engine to be found under the hood of the TT was a 1.8 L turbocharged four-cylinder 20-valve engine that pumped out 225 PS or 180 PS depending on the variant the buyer chooses. The additional 45 PS is courtesy of a larger turbocharger, dual exhausts and other internal details that can be found in the former.

In 1999, Audi's ESP and rear spoiler were incorporated into the design of the car along with some modifications in the suspension.

In 2003, Audi added another engine, the 3.2 L VR6 that churned out 250 PS, which came with the Quattro four-wheel drive system. In October 2004, to improve acceleration, an option with a new DSG (dual-clutch) gearbox was introduced, which was offered along with a stiffer suspension.

The Quattro Sport version of the car, designed by Audi, came with a 240 PS engine that topped at 250 km/h.

Since 2000 Audi has continually introduced other variants to the TT. The first one is the introduction of a two-passenger soft-top roadster variant in 2000. In 2002, Audi produced a limited edition 225 hp ALMS coupe with special trim to mark Audi's presence in the American LeMans Series.

In 2003, the transmission was upgraded to a 6 speed on the base model. In '04, a 250-hp 6-cylinder engine was added to the stable of Audi TT, and xenon headlights were made standard. Also introduced by the third quarter was Audi's Direct Shift Gearbox, which made manual transmission shift like an automatic.

The V6 in Audi TT goes from 0 to 100 kmph in 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. The Quattro four-wheel drive offers plenty of grip so that the car sticks to the road round corners and bends. So the driver feels he is always in control. And why not! After all, he is in control with his hand on the wheel and his foot on the pedal.

On the whole, the Audi TT looks beautiful and anyone would love to drive around in this awesome car. With a class engine and the wonderful quality of fit and finish, it certainly is a car I would want to be seen driving in.


About the Author:
Find pictures and wallpapers of Audi TT and supercars at www.supercars.dk.

Author: Jessica Whittaker