2008 Audi TT Roadster 3.2 quattro V6 250 hp

2008 Audi TT Roadster 3.2 quattro - Front Side

(From Audi Press Release)
Audi offers a choice of two engines for its Audi TT Roadster. The 3.2-liter V6 power unit generates 250 hp and is coupled to the quattro drive system as standard. The 2.0 TFSI engine, which blends turbocharging with gasoline direct injection technology, delivers 200 hp to the front wheels. V6 powered variants can be ordered with the innovative S tronic dual-clutch gearbox as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual shift. The 2.0T models come with S tronic as standard.

2008 Audi TT Roadster 3.2 quattro - Engine View

The chassis of the new Roadster is built for impressive sporty performance. Its highlight is Audi magnetic ride, the optional suspension damping technology that allows drivers to choose between an uncompromisingly dynamic ride or more comfort-orientated characteristics.

To mirror the puristic character of open-top motoring, the boldly styled body is crowned by a lightweight cloth roof. The Audi TT Roadster 3.2 quattro comes as standard with a quickaction, fully automatic soft top that is available as an option for the 2.0 TFSI.

2008 Audi TT Roadster 3.2 quattro - Top View

The exterior design
With its rigorous geometry and clarity, the design of the first Audi TT Roadster elevated it to the status of a cult classic. Audi has preserved the charismatic design idiom and carefully honed it for the new model.

Whereas the tail end and the roof section seem to flow into one another at the rear of the Audi TT Coupe, the soft top of the Audi TT Roadster forms a clear contrast that gives the overall design a more geometric look. The body’s lines brim with power and forward thrust. This impression is underscored by the athletic curves of the vehicle’s flanks just as much as by the rising dynamic line above the sill area and the taut, muscular shoulder line. The eye-catching fuel filler cap positioned above the rear right wheel sports a classic aluminum design.

The face of the Audi TT Roadster has an expressive feel. Wing-shaped plastic elements are embedded into the slanted, sharply tapered headlights to emphasize the three-dimensional depth of the lamp units. At the rear of the car, it is the large tailpipes and the wide diffuser that stand out. The tube-shaped reflectors seem to hover inside the tail light units. As on the Coupé, an electrically powered spoiler rises up out of the trunk lid when the speed reaches 75 mph.

Compared to the model it replaces, the Audi TT Roadster has undergone a growth spurt, with the new proportions accentuating its sporty nature. Length is now 164.5 inches (+ 5.4 in.), width 72.5 inches (+ 3.1 in.) and height 53.5 inches (+ 0.3 in.), while the wheelbase has been extended by 1.8 inches to 97.2 inches. Despite the extra size, however, the drag coefficient of the 2.0 TFSI is just 0.32 with the soft top up.

2008 Audi TT Roadster 3.2 quattro - Side View

The soft top
Audi made a conscious decision to keep the cloth top for the Audi TT Roadster. The soft top concept fits in perfectly with the philosophy of puristic open-top motoring and also offers a number of benefits over a folding steel hard top.

The lightweight cloth top incorporates reinforcements made from steel and aluminum as well as a large glass rear window. Not only does this reduce the overall weight of the Audi TT Roadster, it also lowers its center of gravity. It sleekly blends in with the car’s lines and takes up only a small amount of space when folded down. Thanks to the new Z-fold, the front section of the roof lies on top of the cloth like a cover. It locks into place to lie flush with the body, dispensing with the need for a tonneau cover.

The Audi TT Roadster 3.2 quattro and 2.0 TFSI Premium models come standard with an electrohydraulically powered soft top, which is available for the 2.0 TFSI as an option. This version of the soft top opens in just 12 seconds at the push of a button, and it even can be operated on the move at speeds of up to 25 mph. The fully automatic top incorporates an additional layer of soundproofing beneath the black headliner for even better acoustic and thermal insulation.

The manually-operated roof is operated by means of a central catch. A mesh wind deflector that extends and retracts electrically smooths the air stream in the interior. None of the competitor models are able to offer such a convenient solution.

The body and safety
Like the Audi TT Coupé, the body of the Audi TT Roadster also is built on the principles of Audi Space Frame (ASF) technology, featuring a pioneering hybrid construction that showcases the brand’s tremendous expertise in lightweight design. The body is made from 58 percent aluminum and 42 percent steel. This material mix makes the Roadster extremely light, with the 2.0 TFSI tipping the scales at just 3,131 lbs. when unladen.

To ensure that the load is distributed evenly between the axles, the steel components are located principally at the rear of the body. The bulkhead behind the passenger compartment, for example, is made from steel. This particular component, which anchors the high-strength roll-over bars with their elegant plastic covering, has a fundamental role to play in the body’s overall rigidity.

The side sills also are specific to the Roadster. They consist of extruded aluminum sections containing numerous reinforcing ribs. The A-pillars have been strengthened, too, and a high-strength steel tube has been integrated into the frame of the windshield. Already impressive in the outgoing Audi TT Roadster, static torsional strength has been more than doubled in the new model. This translates into outstanding comfort and precision handling.

A full ensemble of restraint systems promises the greatest possible passive safety. In the event of a side impact, aluminum beams and padding in the doors are called into action along with the head and thorax side airbags. Two-stage full-size airbags, front knee airbags, and the Audi Backguard system are on hand to limit the consequences of a collision from the front and rear respectively.

2008 Audi TT Roadster 3.2 quattro - Cockpit View

The interior
The interior of the Audi TT Roadster is noticeably larger, too, offering extra headroom and elbow room. The width at shoulder height now is 53.2 inches, an increase of 1.1 inches.

Deep-set sports seats provide firm lateral support for both the driver and passenger. The standard-specification leather sports steering wheel features a flat-bottomed rim. The optional Baseball optic leather trim with its distinctive topstitching already attained cult status when it was offered for the outgoing model; it is one of nine different leather trim packages. The Audi TT Roadster is upholstered in a combined Alcantara/Leather trim as standard.

The three circular air outlets and the dome shrouding the instrument cluster dials inject the cockpit with characteristic TT flair. As is to be expected of an Audi, the ergonomic concept is perfect and the workmanship of the very finest standard. The increase in body dimensions also has benefitted luggage space, which has expanded to 8.8 cu. ft. in both the front-wheel-drive and the quattro variant.

The drivetrain
Like the TT Coupé, the new Audi TT Roadster is available with a choice of two transversemounted engines. Both generate high pulling power and impressive peak output, resulting in out-and-out sporty performance. The four-cylinder engine directs its power to the front wheels, while the V6 powers all four wheels based on the quattro principle offering dynamism and sure road holding in equal measure. Both engines are available in conjunction with the innovative S tronic dual-clutch gearbox for lightning-fast gear changes without any interruption in the power flow (standard on 2.0 TFSI). A manual six-speed transmission is standard on 3.2 quattro models.

The four-cylinder unit bearing the initials TFSI musters up 200 hp and a constant 207 ft. lbs. of torque between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm from its capacity of 1,984 cc. TFSI technology combines a turbocharger to optimum effect with Audi’s own gasoline direct injection, which produces a distinct improvement in combustion efficiency.

In both 2005 and 2006, the responsive and extremely refined two-liter turbocharged FSI was voted “Engine of the Year” by an international jury of experts.

When fitted with the S tronic shift, the Audi TT Roadster 2.0 TFSI accelerates from standstill to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds and reaches a limited top speed of 130 mph. It gets 22 mpg city and 29 highway.

The V6 unit with a capacity of 3,189 cc delivers 250 hp and a peak torque of 236 ft. lbs., which is on tap between 2,500 and 3,000 rpm. The sonorous, ultra-compact long-stroke engine features two continuously adjustable camshafts. The Audi TT Roadster 3.2 quattro sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds with the S tronic gearbox and can, if necessary, go on to reach a governed top speed of 130 mph.

The chassis
The sporty chassis has been completely redeveloped for the Audi TT Roadster. Its chief features are the complex four-link rear suspension, wide track width, elastokinematics that have been heavily reworked, and large wheels. The 2.0 TFSI and the 3.2 quattro come standard with 17-inch alloy wheels. Larger 18-inch and 19-inch alloy wheels are optional.

The front wheel suspension, which is linked to a separate subframe, has a McPherson construction that has been refined by the use of lightweight aluminum components. The electromechanical power-assisted steering combines a direct ratio with sensitive precision.

Construction of the four-link rear suspension, which also operates using a subframe, separates the coil springs and the shock absorbers from one another. The longitudinal links – which have a relatively soft set-up for enhanced ride comfort – absorb the propulsive and braking forces, while the rigid connection of the three transverse links for each wheel allows them to direct lateral forces into the bodyshell with great precision.

The redeveloped electronic stabilization program (ESP) has been optimized for a sporty driving style and to help produce the steering balance of the Audi TT Roadster, which varies between neutral and slight understeer. If necessary, the brake assist system takes action to ensure that the four large disc brakes build up maximum braking power as fast as possible.

The optional Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping system is a high-tech feature that is unique in the roadster segment. At the push of a button, drivers can choose between either a comfortable or a decidedly dynamic suspension set-up. Circulating inside the shock absorber struts is a special fluid containing minute magnetic particles. Applying a voltage to this fluid alters its viscosity – and therefore damping characteristics – within milliseconds.

2008 Audi TT Roadster 3.2 quattro - Rear Side

The equipment
All variants of the Audi TT Roadster come generously equipped as standard, with specifications that include the new 140 watt audio system, a driver information system, automatic climate control, aluminum trim, cruise control, tilt and telescoping flat-bottom three-spoke steering wheel, and automatic wind deflector.

A comprehensive list of options includes a S line package featuring aggressive body styling, special interior trim, and 19-inch alloy wheels. Audi Magnetic Ride adds electronically-controlled dampers that adjust in milliseconds to driver input for a sporty or comfortable ride. DVD-based navigation is optional and uses Audi’s MMI technology. An optional Enhanced Interior Package adds fine Nappa leather covered upholstery, door trim, armrest, and hand brake. Customers who lead a sporty, active lifestyle also are able to opt for an Enhanced Storage package, including a ski bag that is large enough to accommodate two pairs of skis – something that no other model in the roadster segment is able to offer. The Premium Audio package includes a 255 watt, 12- speaker audio system with noise compensation and SIRIUS® Satellite Radio.

Another special option is the Audi Exclusive Interior package includes black leather seats with colored leather seat inserts, door inserts, and stitching. Available colors are Silver, Signal Orange, Crimson Red, and Saddle Brown.

Xenon-plus headlights with the adaptive light cornering function also can be found on the extensive list of equipment options. They are fitted in conjunction with a headlight styling package that Audi includes as standard on the 3.2 quattro and optional on the 2.0 TFSI.

An optional iPod® interface is available. It is located in the glove box to help protect the iPod and keep it out of sight. The adapter also charges the iPod while it is connected and the car is turned on.