Audi TT Coupe 3.2 quattro '03

The Audi TT is a sports car manufactured by Audi since 1998 in Győr, Hungary, now in its second generation — and available as a 2+2 coupé or two-seater roadster.

Contents [hide] 1 Origins 2 Name 3 First generation (Typ 8N, 1999-2006) 4 Second generation (Typ 8J, 2007-) 5 Performance models 6 Diesel models 7 Awards 8 References 9 External links

Origins
The development of the Audi TT began in September 1994 at the Audi Design Center in California. The TT was first shown as a concept car at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show. The design is credited to J Mays and Freeman Thomas with Martin Smith contributing to the award winning interior design. A previously unused laser welding adaptation that enabled seamless design features on the 1st generation TT, also delayed its introduction.

Audi did not initially include an automatic transmission option for the TT. A DSG (S-Tronic) became available, the first for a production car, in 2003.

Name
The TT is named for the successful racing tradition of NSU in the British Isle of Man TT motorcycle race. NSU began competing in the TT in 1911 and later merged into the company now known as Audi.[1] The Audi TT also follows the NSU 1000TT, 1200TT and TTS cars of the 1960s in being named for the race.

First generation (Typ 8N, 1999-2006)
Audi TT (8N) Production 1999–2006

Platform Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform

Engine(s) 1.8L Turbo I4, 3.2L VR6

Transmission(s) 5-speed manual

6-speed manual

6-speed automatic

6-speed DSG

Wheelbase 2422 mm (95.4 in)

Quattro: 95.6 in (2428 mm)

Length 4041 mm (159.1 in)

Width 1764 mm (69.4 in)

Height 1346 mm (53 in)

Fuel capacity 55 litres (14.5 US gal/12.1 imp gal)

Related: Audi A3

VW Golf Mk4

Škoda Octavia

SEAT León

Volkswagen New Beetle

Volkswagen Jetta

The production model (internal designation Typ 8N) was launched as a coupé in September 1998, followed by a roadster in August 1999, based on the Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform used for the Volkswagen Golf Mk4, Skoda Octavia and others. The styling differed little from the concept, except for slightly reprofiled bumpers and the addition of a rear quarterlight windows behind the doors.

Mechanically, the TT uses a transversely mounted engine with front or quattro four-wheel drive. It was first available with a 1.8 L turbocharged inline four cylinder 20-valve engine, with either 180 PS (132 kW) or 225 PS (165 kW). The engines share the same basic design but the 225 PS version features a larger turbocharger, an additional intercooler on the driver's side, forged connecting rods, a dual exhaust, and a few other internals designed to accommodate the increase in turbo boost from roughly 10 psi peak to 15. Haldex enabled four wheel drive branded as quattro was optional on the 180 PS (132 kW) engine, and standard on the more powerful version.

Audi TT Roadster
Early TT models gained press coverage for a series of high-speed accidents in Europe. Reported crashes and related fatalities occurred at speeds in excess of 110 mph (180 km/h) during abrupt lane changes or sharp turns. Both the coupe and roadster models were recalled in late 1999/early 2000 to improve predictability of the car's handling at very high-speeds. Audi's Electronic Stability Programme, and rear spoiler were added, along with suspension modifications. All changes were subsequently incorporated into future versions of the car.

The original four cylinder engine range was complemented with a 250 PS (184 kW) 3.2 L VR6 in early 2003, which comes with the quattro four-wheel drive system. In October 2004 a new DSG (dual-clutch) gearbox, which improves acceleration through drastically reduced shift time, was offered along with a stiffer suspension.

Audi also developed a lightened and more powerful "quattro Sport" model, with 240 PS (177 kW) and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

There are two class action lawsuits affecting specific model years of the first generation TT.

On January 22, 2008 the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, entered an order preliminarily approving a nationwide settlement of a class action lawsuit brought by Green Welling LLP on behalf of all current and prior owners and lessees of 2000-2004, and 2005 model year Audi TTs. The lawsuit and settlement relate to allegedly defective instrument clusters, and Audi TT owners are entitled to submit claims for repairs, replacement and/or cash reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, and all TT owners covered by the suit will receive a 2-year extension of their existing 4-year warranty (limited to the instrument cluster).[2]

On June 22, 2007 Pearson, Simon, Soter, Warshaw & Penny, LLP filed a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen alleging that the timing belts for model year 1999-2003 Audi and Volkswagen vehicles equipped with a 1.8 litre turbo-charged engine fail prematurely. The vehicles included are the Audi TT, Audi A4 and Volkswagen Passat. The complaint alleges that the timing belts fail prior to the service interval, as stated in the owner's manual. The parties have reached a class-wide settlement and preliminary approval of the settlement was granted by the court on May 19, 2008. Claim forms, class notice and other documentation will be mailed on or about August 1, 2008. Details regarding the terms of the settlement will be in the notice sent to owners of the class vehicles.[3]

Second generation (Typ 8J, 2007-)
Audi TT (8J) Production 2006-present Platform Volkswagen Group 69 (PQFU) platform Engine(s) 2.0L Turbo I4 3.2L VR6 2.5L Turbo I5 Transmission(s) 6-speed manual 6-speed DSG Wheelbase 2468 mm (97.2 in) Length 4178 mm (164.5 in) Width 1842 mm (72.5 in) Height 1352 mm (53.2 in) Related Audi A3 VW Golf Mk5 Škoda Octavia SEAT León Volkswagen Jetta A preview of the second-generation TT was provided in the form of the Audi Shooting Brake concept car, shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005. This concept was based on the new TT, but featured angular styling and a "shooting brake" 2-door hatchback body style.[4]

Audi revealed the second-generation TT, internal designation Typ 8J, on April 6, 2006. It is constructed of aluminium in the front, and steel in the rear, to enhance its balance and is available in front- or four-wheel drive. The production car uses either the 3.2 L VR6 engine, with 250 PS (184 kW), or a 200 PS (147 kW) version of Audi's direct injection 2.0 L four. Better known as FSI, Fuel Stratified Injection, the technology was derived from the Le Mans race cars, and offers improved fuel efficiency as well as an increased power output. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, with the Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) as an option, and quattro four-wheel drive is standard with the VR6.

Audi's new active suspension, Audi Magnetic Ride, is available as an option, and is based on Delphi's MagneRide magneto rheological dampers (which means that the suspension will automatically adjust depending on the current road conditions). The new TT also features an improved rear spoiler that automatically extends at speeds greater than 120 km/h (75 mph), and retracts again at 80 km/h (50 mph). The spoiler can also be manually controlled by the driver via a switch on the dash.[5] It is again offered as a 2+2 coupé and as a roadster.

Performance models
''Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page.''

In 2005 Audi released the limited edition (of 1000 examples) TT quattro Sport. It had increased power from its 1.8-litre turbocharged engine - giving 240 PS (177 kW/237 bhp) and 236 lb (107 kg) ft of torque - and a reduction in weight of 49 kg (108 lb) to 1,416 kg (3,122 lb). This was achieved by deleting the spare wheel and by taking out the rear parcel shelf and rear seats. Fixed-back Recaro bucket seats graced the interior. Distinguishable from other TT coupes by its two-tone paint scheme (black painted roof, pillars and mirror housings in combination with either Avus Silver, Phantom Black, Mauritius Blue or Misano Red body colour) and unique 18-inch (460 mm), 15-spoke aluminium wheels, plus the same body kit as fitted to the TT 3.2 V6, it also had uprated suspension settings, V6-spec brakes fitted and the new wheels were wider at the rear for improved grip.

In the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, Audi released the TTS with a 2.0TFSI engine tuned to 272 PS (200 kW/268 bhp). It will feature quattro four wheel drive and come with a choice of a six speed manual or six speed S tronic DSG. In the United States, only the S tronic gearbox will be available.

A higher-end TT-RS is under development, it is confirmed that this will use a turbocharged 2.5L 5-cylinder engine, that will develop 340 PS (250 kW/335 bhp). The TT-RS will also feature quattro four wheel drive, and come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox.[citation needed]

Diesel models
In 2008, Audi offered the second generation TT Coupé as a 2.0 TDI quattro, and TT Roadster 2.0 TDI quattro for the European market.[6] Audi said average fuel consumption on the engine is 5.3 liters/100 km or 44.4 mpg in the coupé variant.[7]

Awards
The TT was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2000. It was also on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 2000 and 2001.

The second generation TT has been honored with many awards including the inaugural Drive Car of the Year, Top Gear Coupé of the Year 2006, Fifth Gear Car of the Year 2006, Autobild 'Most Beautiful Car' and World Design Car of the Year 2007, as well as being a finalist for World Car of the Year.