CD Article: 2008 Audi TT

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:

The '08 Audi TT sports more aggressive lines, "as if Audi's designers wanted to eradicate any aspect that would cause onlookers to label this a 'chick car'", reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.  With a new lower price, the '08 TT is a "good value", he notes, but "sadly, once again, you won't be able to get all-wheel drive or a manual transmission with the turbocharged four-banger found in entry-level models."
 
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[mmret]

That motor, a 2.0-litre in place of last year's 1.8-litre, gets paired exclusively with the S Tronic gearbox, Audi's version of the VW Group's sequential dual-clutch six-speed.

...

but there's no getting around the fact that this is basically an automatic transmission.

Correct me if I am wrong, but..

Clutches: 2
Torque Converters: 0

More of a sequential manual with full auto mode rather than "basically an automatic transmission", isn't it?

[Snowman]

Who in their right mind would buy this thing?

[tpl]

Why would one buy an Audi if it was not a Quattro. The base car is a just any old FWD car.  May as well by a 328 cab or coupe for similar or less money and get a real gearbox and ( probably) better resale value.


It would be nice if BMW licenced the DSG ( s-tronic) tho'

[stickshift]

That motor, a 2.0-litre in place of last year's 1.8-litre, gets paired exclusively with the S Tronic gearbox, Audi's version of the VW Group's sequential dual-clutch six-speed.

...

but there's no getting around the fact that this is basically an automatic transmission.

Correct me if I am wrong, but..

Clutches: 2
Torque Converters: 0

More of a sequential manual with full auto mode rather than "basically an automatic transmission", isn't it?

It may have two clutches instead of a torque converter, but there's no clutch pedal. Therefore, the transmission functions automatically. Hence, it's "basically and automatic transmission."

Have you driven a DSG car? It's a cool transmission, but not anywhere near as much fun as driving a car with a stick - largely because it behaves, basically, like an automatic.

[mmret]

Have driven a DSG Jetta 2.0T

Depends on your definition of automatic...

so we'd have to say that BMWs SMG, F1 transmissions are automatics.

Sure these all might have an electrohydraulic clutch but the bottom line, to me, is that there is no torque converter, so personally I wouldn't call it "basically an auto".

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Saw a silver one yesterday.

I think they look great.

Buy it because...
1) Looks great
2) Luxury brand
3) Fancy interior
4) Finally, it'll handle
5) AWD availability, Roadster availability, good 'automated manual' available
6) Pretty decent fuel efficiency/power balance on the 4

I dunno. Cars start looking pricey in that market, and 335i is great value, but I can see why someone like me would want this car. Stands out and doesn't cost $90+

[stickshift]

Have driven a DSG Jetta 2.0T

Depends on your definition of automatic...

so we'd have to say that BMWs SMG, F1 transmissions are automatics.

Sure these all might have an electrohydraulic clutch but the bottom line, to me, is that there is no torque converter, so personally I wouldn't call it "basically an auto".

Okay, so it's not a run-of-the-mill automatic, you're right on that point. But for the purposes of most drivers, these are automatics; I really doubt that many TT buyers (or Jetta or GTI or 5-series) choose the DSG or SMG gearboxes because they want a sequential transmission. Most of these drivers go this way cos they want an automatic; most DSG/S-tronic buyers would probably be just as happy with a regular slushbox and likely have no idea that their car has anything but. That it's a good transmission (and DSG/S-Tronic is a good one) that is more responsive to driver input than most manu-matics is just a nice touch for the driver who does happen to value performance.

So, to you and me and the other car nuts of the world, no, it's not a traditional automatic. But for most of the drivers on the road, it's a transmission that shifts itself, making it an automatic.

[safristi]

"who would BUY this thing"................Snowie ..when he's 55.........I can't see HIM inna FERRARI

[tpl]

As a hard core manny tranny driver ( 40+ years) I would consider  both DSG and SMG as honorary manny trannys. I have not yet driven either but I would REALLY like to see a DSG that could handle 500 bhp dropped into an M5 and a regular DSG in a 328/335.  By every account the DSG is smoother shifting and just better than SMG in normal everyday street driving even if the smg may be better on a track or being a hooligan.

[JSCC]

As a hard core manny tranny driver ( 40+ years) I would consider  both DSG and SMG as honorary manny trannys. I have not yet driven either but I would REALLY like to see a DSG that could handle 500 bhp dropped into an M5 and a regular DSG in a 328/335.  By every account the DSG is smoother shifting and just better than SMG in normal everyday street driving even if the smg may be better on a track or being a hooligan.

How about a DSG transmission that can handle 1001HP and 407km/hr top speed?

[JSCC]

Who in their right mind would buy this thing?

People who don't like/want the Z4 or SLK.

[rsxca]

Seems to me the base TT is a fancy GTI.  But for the $20000 I would not buy this car. 

I think this car is for people that really consider design and style as the most omportant thing to have an a car.

[lucid0703]

Have driven a DSG Jetta 2.0T

Depends on your definition of automatic...

so we'd have to say that BMWs SMG, F1 transmissions are automatics.

Sure these all might have an electrohydraulic clutch but the bottom line, to me, is that there is no torque converter, so personally I wouldn't call it "basically an auto".

Okay, so it's not a run-of-the-mill automatic, you're right on that point. But for the purposes of most drivers, these are automatics; I really doubt that many TT buyers (or Jetta or GTI or 5-series) choose the DSG or SMG gearboxes because they want a sequential transmission. Most of these drivers go this way cos they want an automatic; most DSG/S-tronic buyers would probably be just as happy with a regular slushbox and likely have no idea that their car has anything but. That it's a good transmission (and DSG/S-Tronic is a good one) that is more responsive to driver input than most manu-matics is just a nice touch for the driver who does happen to value performance.

So, to you and me and the other car nuts of the world, no, it's not a traditional automatic. But for most of the drivers on the road, it's a transmission that shifts itself, making it an automatic.

Both mmret and you are correct.
It's true that DSG is rather a manual transmission without a clutch, but to most buyers it's just another automatic.
I think that's why VW(at least in Canada) offers DSG only on more performance oriented models such as Jetta 2.0T, GLI and GTI, in which car enthusiasts would be more interested.
But then, they also have DSG as an option in EOS and no DSG in Passat..

[ghost]

New TT gooder looking than the old one. A manual 2.0T Quattro would be awesome!

[JSCC]

New TT gooder looking than the old one. A manual 2.0T Quattro would be awesome!

Always want the one that you can't get, huh? 

[airbalancer]

Saw a silver one yesterday.

I think they look great.

Buy it because...
1) Looks great
2) Luxury brand
3) Fancy interior
4) Finally, it'll handle
5) AWD availability, Roadster availability, good 'automated manual' available
6) Pretty decent fuel efficiency/power balance on the 4

I dunno. Cars start looking pricey in that market, and 335i is great value, but I can see why someone like me would want this car. Stands out and doesn't cost $90+

Saw on in Oshawa on the 401, wonder if it was the same one?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Saw a silver one yesterday.

I think they look great.

Buy it because...
1) Looks great
2) Luxury brand
3) Fancy interior
4) Finally, it'll handle
5) AWD availability, Roadster availability, good 'automated manual' available
6) Pretty decent fuel efficiency/power balance on the 4

I dunno. Cars start looking pricey in that market, and 335i is great value, but I can see why someone like me would want this car. Stands out and doesn't cost $90+

Saw on in Oshawa on the 401, wonder if it was the same one?

Loblaw's in Pickering Sunday, driven by a female.

Funny enough, another shopper had the outgoing gen Roadster 1 row over.

[Snowman]

Saw a silver one yesterday.

I think they look great.

Buy it because...
1) Looks great
2) Luxury brand
3) Fancy interior
4) Finally, it'll handle
5) AWD availability, Roadster availability, good 'automated manual' available
6) Pretty decent fuel efficiency/power balance on the 4

I dunno. Cars start looking pricey in that market, and 335i is great value, but I can see why someone like me would want this car. Stands out and doesn't cost $90+

I would rather drive your GTI than a TT any day.