It's been ten years since the first Audi TT went into production and now the German automaker has something quite special to offer enthusiasts, the TTS.
The specifications pretty much tell the story: a heavily breathed-on 2.0-liter turbo four puts out 272 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque through Audi's dual-clutch (S tronic) transmission. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard--featuring a faster-acting hydraulic pump. The fastest-accelerating offering will be the S tronic Coupe--Audi claims a 0-to-62-mph time of 5.0 seconds. All TTS models need a speed limiter to keep them from pushing past 155 mph. The brakes and suspension get the logical upgrade given the speed potential of the two-door Audi, and magnetic ride adaptive dampening is standard.
Altered cosmetics include bi-xenon headlights incorporating Audi's LED daytime running lights, along with larger air intakes up front. Wider doorsills and an aggressive rear bumper incorporating two twin exhaust outlets are also added. Buyers can choose between a coupe or convertible version.
Maybe all this pumped up performance and design will help the TT get past its decade-long reputation as more of a hairdresser's car than a real sports car. That said, maybe Audi should have passed on the convertible version of the TTS if that was their goal. The 2009 TTS goes on sale here in November of 2008.
Click the link below for high-resolution Audi TTS images.