| The 2007 Audi TT roadster mimics the hardtop version’s style and powertrain options – either a 200-hp 2.0-liter turbo four powering the front wheels or a 250-hp 3.2-liter V-6 with Quattro all-wheel-drive. Both engines come with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed S-tronic (Audi’s new name for DSG) dual-clutch gearbox with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Audi claims the 0-to-60-mph times with the S-tronic are 6.5 seconds for the 2.0-liter and 5.9 seconds for the 3.2-liter.
The TT Roadster will be available with two engines: the 3.2-litre V6 that generates 250 hp combined with Quattro AWD, and a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder FSI engine with 200 hp and front-wheel drive. Both models can be ordered with the optional S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual shifter.
The chassis of the new Roadster is also 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 hood. The TT Roadster 3.2 quattro comes as standard with a quick-action, fully automatic softtop which is available as an option for the 2.0 TFSI.
With its rigorous geometry and clarity, the design of the first 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 TT Coupé, the soft top of the 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 new 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 which 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 boot lid when the speed reaches 75 mph.
Compared to the model it replaces the new 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 in. (+ 3.1) and height 53.5 in. (+ 0.3 in), while the wheelbase has been extended by 1.8 to 97.1 in. Despite the extra size, however, the drag coefficient of the 2.0 TFSI is just 0.32 with the soft top up.
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