2008 Audi TT Exterior Review
Based on analysis of 26 TT reviews and test drives.
Exterior - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Audi TT's new exterior, which is larger and more aggressive than the previous model, gets glowing reviews. "The new TT straightens out the rounded bulging shape of its predecessor and is now creased and pressed like a fine suit, as if to say, 'This time I'm serious,'" says Car and Driver.
The new TT is 5.4 inches longer, 3.1 inches wider, and 2 inches taller than the model it replaces. It also features sleeker, less rounded lines. The Detroit News says that, with the redesign, the TT "keeps its distinctive Audi feel, but casts longer, sharper lines than its rounded predecessor, especially the way the roof gently slopes to the back." The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the 2008 TT "is a slightly stretched coupe with a teardrop profile and adorned with Audi's new giant grille up front. It's a beautiful, more elegant design that recalls the heritage of 1930s Auto Union racers." Reviewers appreciate the fact that the new TT is less curvy than the original, which many found too feminine. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel even called the old exterior "Bug-like." But the Boston Globe says the TT now looks like "a world-class warrior, looking, at least from its looming snout, like a racer off the Nurburgring, circa 1938."
Appealing individual features combine to make the TT's attractive exterior. Cars.com loves the taillights in particular: "Now take a look at the TT's taillights: a red-tinted lens over compound reflectors. It has the interesting three-dimensionality that the modern era demands -- without the cheese factor. Well done, Audi." The large front grille also gets compliments. The Arizona Republic describes the TT as "a beautiful sports car, sleek and aerodynamic, with an aggressive snout that echoes the style of Audi's supercar, the mid-engine R8." Another change for 2008 is the power spoiler, which used to be fixed to the rear but now rises at 75 mph and retracts at speeds less than 50 mph. The changes were made to address aerodynamic and lift issues.
Kelley Blue Book is one of the few to mention minor criticism about the exterior, saying the new TT "doesn't pack the visual impact of the original, but that's a common plight with sequels. It's no less stylish, though, with crisper lines and the brand's trapezoidal grille sending out a decidedly more contemporary vibe."
Exterior Trims
The exterior of the 3.2 differs from the 2.0T because of its twin tailpipes and black grille. Every TT comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, and 18-inchers are optional. The TT also comes as a roadster that features a self-storing manually retractable soft top.