Driving Impressions

The dynamic character that emerges in this iteration of the Golf platform is eager and aggressive, just as the squat, rounded shape suggests. Although the front-wheel-drive TT gives something away to its rear-drive rivals in absolute handling, it's a handicap that would require a racetrack to really exploit. Our own experiences were confined to a varied collection of public roads, including some secret twisty sections that writhe like a snake. As we pressed on through this collection of decreasing radius turns and fast sweepers, our respect for the TT grew. The little coupe attacks corners like a terrier, and changes directions with scarcely a hint of hesitation. Pushed to its absolute limits, it's a little more prone to understeer-a tendency to go straight on when the driver turns the steering wheel-than a car such as BMW's bizarre Z3 2.8 Coupe, but those limits are quite high, and we'd be surprised if an owner was disappointed with the TT's athletic responses, flat cornering attitude, or its laser-precise steering. Similarly, we'd be surprised if anyone were to find fault with the TT's braking, which seems to us to be beyond reproach and among the best in this class. Overall, the TT's dynamics remind us of the Honda Prelude, which is about as good as it gets in sporty front-drive cars. This applies to acceleration, as well as handling. With 180-horsepower from VW's versatile 1.8-liter 20-valve four-cylinder-turbocharged, in this application-the TT can scoot to 60 mph in a wink less than 7 seconds. That's with the standard five-speed manual transmission, of course. An automatic would undoubtedly slow things up. But that's not an option, at the moment. The initial batch of TT coupes will all have manual transmissions; automatics will come along later, as will an all-wheel drive Quattro version with 225 horsepower on tap.

Final Word

Money-wise, the TT falls into a sort of sport coupe twilight zone. Pricing starts at $31,025, some $5000 more than a Prelude SH, which offers almost identical performance and a lot more interior space, albeit in a less attractive package. And it's considerably less expensive-about $6000 less-than BMW's Z3 2.8 Coupe, a very good performer that offers only two seats. But we're leaving an intangible out of the equation-call it the notice-me index. Besides being entertaining to drive, the TT is almost impossible to top for high-profile visibility. To get the same kind of cachet, you'd have to spend a quarter-million bucks for some sort of Italian exotic (Incidentally, VW has one of those now, too; it's called Lamborghini). Even then, this little Audi would hold its own.