2008 Audi TTS

Audi has been systematically refining the TT ever since it was first introduced in the mid 90’s as a concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show. From the beginning, the TT was intended to be seen as a performance coupe, and the small, all-wheel drive car was available with engine options ranging from a turbocharged 4 cylinder to a 3.2 liter V6. A roadster model was also developed, sharing the same mechanicals and platform but allowing buyers to drop the top and experience the wind rushing by as they tackled whatever curvy roads lay before them.

For 2008, Audi has decided to once again up the ante with the 2008 Audi TTS. The TTS represents the apex of the TT line, with a 272 horsepower engine, Haldex all-wheel drive system and dual-clutch paddle-shifted automatic transmission. Audi claims that the TTS will take only 5.2 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour, and will have a limited top speed of 155 miles per hour (similar to previous Sport TT models).

How has Audi managed to squeeze even more performance out of the TT? It starts under the hood, with what Audi is calling a ‘TFSI’ engine. Simply put, the engine is a four-cylinder with direct injection and a turbo. Not only does the motor produce impressive horsepower, but 258 lb-ft of torque is available from as low as 2500 rpm – quite the feat for a small displacement, 2.0 liter engine. Naturally, the smaller engine leads to conservative fuel sipping, and the TTS consumes 1 gallon of fuel every 29 miles, despite the weight burden of all-wheel drive.

Of course, a sports car is more than just an engine, it’s a complete package, and Audi’s engineers did not limit their innovations to the motor. The dual clutch transmission enables drivers to shift even faster than a standard manual, with a hydraulic multi-plate clutch handling high-load gear changes with ease. The suspension is another technological marvel. The TTS rides on Delphi’s MagneRide system, which employs special shock absorbers that provide drivers with the ability to control the level of suspension response from inside the cockpit. The fluid inside these shocks contains particles which can be magnetically aligned through the introduction of current, changing the way they respond to dips and dives in the road. In Normal mode the TTS provides comfortable and serene motoring but once the switch has been set to Sport, the car actually lowers 10 millimeters and stiffens up the entire car. This improved suspension response in combination with the Quattro all-wheel drive makes for much better cornering and launching.

The TTS incorporates many lightweight materials in both the body of the car and in the chassis and suspension itself. The entire front suspension of the car is made of aluminum, and the body is a aluminum / steel hybrid, with the front of the car making the most use of the lightweight material in an attempt to balance out the weight of the engine. 17 inch disc brakes at all four corners bring the TTS to a screeching, yet controlled stop, and the 3000 lb curb weight makes it lighter than both the BMW 3 series and 1 series, neither of which come standard with all-wheel drive.

Since the TTS is spiritually a part of the same ‘S’ line as the vaunted S4 and S6 models, Audi has continued the tradition of subtle styling cues to separate the top of the line from the entry-level. The TTS bears bi-xenon headlights surrounded by a lower eyelid of LED running lights, reminiscent of the R8. Standard 18 inch wheels finish the exterior changes, while specially colored leather and S-instrumentation round out the interior. The 2008 Audi TTS is a formidable addition to the S line from Audi, and should be more than capable of keeping many a contender in its rear-view mirror.







Images were reprinted with permissions from original author Mike Marino! Content was written by Benjamin Hunting for www.sport-cars.org only and you MAY NOT copy, distribute or use this page's content for any commercial or non-commerical purpose without written permission of this site owner and photos authors!
May 6, 2008, 8:44 am