| Production of the Audi TT started in 1999, | | | | |
| and the car was only known internally within | | | | The car was initially obtainable with an |
| Audi by the name "Typ 8N", but it later | | | | engine with capacity of "1.8 litre Turbo I4" |
| became known as the First Generation TT, as a | | | | which consists of a "Turbo-charged inline |
| second, improved model of the car was | | | | four cylinder, 20 valve" motor that |
| produced and developed from 2006 to present. | | | | overturned either "180PS (178hp or 132kW) or |
| The TT name came from the famous "NSU TT" | | | | 225PS (222hp or 165kW)". The 225PS engine |
| small rear engine of the 1960's, and does not | | | | owns a bigger turbo-charger, an extra |
| mean "Twin Turbo" for the record. The Audi TT | | | | intercooler located on the driver's side, |
| was the first presented in a concept car | | | | fabricated connecting rods, and other |
| design at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show but | | | | mechanically internal modifications, all |
| it was then decided that it should be | | | | proposed to increase turbo boost from about |
| established within the coupe class in 1998. J | | | | 10 psi to peak at 15 psi. In 2003, the |
| Mays and Freeman Thomas originally designed | | | | original layout of the four cylinder range |
| the car, both of Volkswagen's California | | | | was given a boost with the 3.2 litre VR6 |
| design workshop, with Martin Smith designing | | | | engine, which outputs 250PS (247hp or 184kW). |
| the bold and innovative interior. And it | | | | The First Generation TT engines were mounted |
| originated in the class of the 2 door | | | | crosswise, with optional front or "quattro" |
| roadster, and the 2 door luxury sportscar, | | | | all wheel drive with the smaller engine, but |
| with either a front wheel drive or four wheel | | | | came standard in the 3.2 litre version. The |
| drive, and a front positioned engine. | | | | TT transmission came with 4 different |
| | | | formats; a 5 speed manual; a 6 speed manual; |
| The first thing people noticed about the car | | | | a 6 speed automatic; and the later enhanced 6 |
| was that it obtained a couple of design | | | | speed DSG. |
| patterns from earlier vehicles, the complete | | | | |
| appearance was thought to be definite and | | | | In late 1999, early 2000 the First Generation |
| unique. The design appeal of the First | | | | TT had its load of problems because eyebrows |
| Generation TT consisted of a its | | | | raised as questions grew about the car's poor |
| smooth-curved body, rounded bodywork, the | | | | handling as the tally of fatal accidents |
| distinctive use bare "anodized aluminum", and | | | | piled up. The car was deemed unstable when |
| no definite show of bumpers, the car was | | | | cornering at high speeds, due to "throttle |
| light-years away from the current styling | | | | lift-off oversteering". It was imperative |
| trends that beseeched the market at that | | | | that Audi rectify the situation as quickly as |
| time. Despite all of the car's curvaceous | | | | possible by altering the problem by changing |
| outlines, it does not improve the | | | | the suspension settings to increase |
| aerodynamics of the vehicle; in fact the | | | | under-steer, and adding a rear wing spoiler |
| "drag coefficient" is actually very high at | | | | to lower lift. These changes helped the |
| 0.35. A small number of changes were | | | | problem, and gave the car back its |
| performed to the TT apperance wise, so it | | | | reputation. |
| didn't vary much from the showcased concept | | | | |
| car, except the addition of finely | | | | Sales-wise the First Gen was a huge success, |
| re-profiled bumpers, and "back quarter-light | | | | both in commercial and private markets, as |
| windows located behind the doors". | | | | the car reached a public, which had not been |
| | | | considered beforehand. The customers that |
| The Audi TT foundations were based intensely | | | | filled the market were mostly, young people |
| on the "Volkswagen A4 platform", which came | | | | and women in particular that bought Audi TTs. |
| from the "A platform", which was also used in | | | | There was even a long waiting list for it |
| the Volkswagen New Beetle, Audi A3, | | | | both in the US and the UK, where it was |
| Volkswagen Golf/ Rabbit, SEAT Leon, and the | | | | something of a fashion item. The car was |
| Skoda Octavia. The proportional blueprint of | | | | distinguished for it elegant flair and |
| the TT is made up of a width of 1764mm | | | | improved offering, as the acclaim were |
| (69.4in); a length of 4041mm (159.1in); | | | | stacked on it as the car was highlighted in |
| wheel-base of 2422mm (95.4in); and a height | | | | the sought after "Car and Driver" magazine's |
| of 1346mm (53in). The car also possessed a | | | | distinguished "Ten Best List" for both 2000 |
| fuel capacity of 55 litres (14.5 US gal/12.1 | | | | and 2001. In addition, it was also nominated |
| imp gal). | | | | for the "North American Car of the Year". |