- Proficient ride/handling balance
- Body feels solid and rigid
- Direct, accurate steering
- Firm ride on lower profile tyres
- Steering lacks feel
- Driving experience lacks involvement
Review: Audi 8N.I TT Coupe (1999-02)
Overview
Released in May 1999, the Audi 8N Series I (8N.I) TT Coupe was a two-door coupe. Manufactured in Gyor, Hungary, the Audi TT Coupe was powered by 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines and available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive; transmission choices consisted of a five- or six-speed manual, respectively.
| Engine | Drive | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8-litre AJQ/APP turbo petrol I4 | FWD | 5sp man. | 132 kW at 5500 rpm | 235 Nm at 1950-5000 rpm |
| 1.8-litre APX/BAM turbo petrol I4 | quattro | 6sp man. | 165 kW at 5900 rpm | 280 Nm at 2200-5500 rpm |
Body and dimensions
The Audi 8N TT Coupe was based on Volkswagen’s PQ34 platform which also underpinned the Volkswagen Mk.4 Golf . As such, the TT Coupe had MacPherson strut front suspension and, for front wheel drive models, torsion beam rear suspension. Models with the quattro system, however, had double transverse links with trailing arms. The TT Coupe was 4041 mm long, 1856 mm wide, 1354 mm tall and had a 2419 mm long wheelbase.
quattro and electronic differential lock
The Audi 8N TT Coupe’s quattro system utilised a first generation Haldex electro-hydraulic limited-slip coupler (LSC) which consisted of a wet multi-plate clutch, a hydraulic pump and an electronically-controlled throttle valve. In normal conditions, 90 per cent of the engine’s torque was directed to the front wheels. If traction was lost, however, up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque could be directed to the rear wheels.
Models with the quattro system were also fitted with an electronic differential lock which could brake a spinning wheel to transfer torque to the opposing front wheel (i.e. cross axle torque transfer). As such, the inside front wheel could be braked when cornering to reduce understeer.
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Audi 8N TT Coupe included included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted head/thorax airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters; the front-wheel drive models were also fitted with traction control, though this was omitted for the Quattro models. From 2000, electronic stability control and traction control were standard across the range.
Features: TT Coupe 1.8T and 1.8T quattro
Standard features for the Audi TT Coupe 1.8T included 16-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker stereo with six-stack CD player, climate control air conditioning, leather seats, front fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, an alarm and immobiliser.
The Audi TT 1.8T quattro was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 tyres, a six speaker Bose stereo with 175 watt amplifier and four equalizers and xenon headlights.
March 2000: retrofit program
From March 2000, Audi commenced retrofitting 1999-built TT Coupes with modified suspension parts and a rear spoiler following high speed (in excess of 180 km/h) crashes in Europe.
Review: Audi 8N.II TT Coupe (2003-06)
Overview
Released in February 2003, the Audi 8N Series II (8N.II) TT introduced subtle exterior styling changes and a new six-speed ‘Tiptronic’ (automatic) transmission with ‘clutchless’ sequential shifting. Visually, the 8N.II TT could be identified by its new radiator grille with three horizontal bars, new alloy wheel designs and paint colours; inside, there were new interior trims.
In January 2005, the Audi TT Coupe range was expanded with the introduction of the TT 3.2 quattro variant which was fitted with a double clutch transmission (Audi’s ‘DSG’).
| Engine | Drive | Edition | Years | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8-litre AUM turbo petrol I4 | FWD | S-Line | 2005 | 5sp man. | 110 kW at 5700 rpm | 210 Nm at 1750-4600 rpm |
| 1.8-litre BVP turbo petrol I4 | FWD | S-Line | 2005 | 5sp man. | 120 kW at 5700 rpm | 225 Nm at 1750-4600 rpm |
| 1.8-litre AUQ turbo petrol I4 | FWD | N/A | 2003-05 | 5sp man., 6sp auto |
132 kW at 5500 rpm | 235 Nm at 1950-5000 rpm |
| 1.8-litre BVR turbo petrol I4 | FWD | S-Line | 2005-06 | 5sp man., 6sp auto |
140 kW at 5500 rpm | 240 Nm at 1950-5000 rpm |
| 1.8-litre BAM turbo petrol I4 | quattro | N/A | 2003-06 | 6sp man. | 165 kW at 5900 rpm | 280 Nm at 2200-5500 rpm |
| 3.2-litre BPF petrol V6 |
quattro | N/A | 2005-06 | 6sp DCT | 184 kW at 6300 rpm | 320 Nm at 2800-3200 rpm |
Safety equipment
Compared to its 8N.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the Audi 8N.II TT Coupe was unchanged. The 3.2 Quattro was also fitted with brake assist and dual-piston front brake calipers with ventilated 334 mm discs and the front and 265 mm discs at the rear.
Features
Standard features for the Audi 8N.II TT Coupe were largely unchanged, though Tiptronic models were fitted with steering wheel gearshift paddles. The TT 3.2 quattro was distinguished by its 18-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels with 225/40 tyres and DVD-based satellite navigation system.
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