Audi TT/other news

[Tom Nas <tnas@euronet.nl>]

Hi all,

I decided to make the most of a miserable rainy day today and paid a visit
to the Dutch Audi importer's showroom. Centrepiece of the display was the
new TT, awesome in both silver and blue metallic. First impressions: superb
seats, nice alloy pedals and footrest, excellent use of materials and
high-quality dash. The engine (only 180 hp/FWDs for now, Feb99 will bring
the 180 quattro and May the 225 quattro). When you open the door, the red
digital display in the tach lights up, showing the date and time, outside
temperature and odo/trip. My 6'1" felt very comfortable in the car,
although a friend (6'4") had complained of no room for his legs. The
3-spoke leather-wrapped AudiSport steering wheel is the best-looking airbag
wheel _bar none_ which I've ever seen. The alloy crossbar on the console
rubs against you leg, something which I imagine can get somewhat irritating
on long journeys. The cabin feels safe instead of claustrophobic, and the
driving position with the seat all the way back was about as good as you
can get it. When you close the door, the window is pushed up by an electric
motor to ensure a noise-free environment. There's a neat covering plate
over the radio with the TT logo on it, which slides up when you push it.
The trunklid/hatch is electrically opened from inside the car (no lock on
it, either) and reveals quite a useful space inside, nicely carpeted.
Putting the token rear seat down enlarges the already good space to more
than enough for a driving holiday.
I saw a tall guy (about 7') get into the back, and there was enough space
for him to sit, although I wouldn't want to be in his place for longer than
five minutes. Not really a good place for kids (however small) either. The
enigine is all covered in plastic, which looks neat but unexciting.
Replenishing fluids and checking the oil is just about all Audi apparently
wants you to do yourself.
All in all, it's superb in detailing, the overall shape is very butch and
aggressive, and it looks like there's not a single detail wrong. The
best-looking car currently on the market (OK, some mega-$$$$$ Ferraris
might look even better, but at least it's the only beautiful car us mortals
can afford).
I spent at least an hour drooling over every detail, and used about an
entire 36-exp film on the cars.

Not all, though, because smack bang in the middle of the showroom was a
very yellow S4 Avant. Yee-yikes! Try being unconspicuous in that... It
looked superb with the Avus wheels, the twin chrome tailpipes, the
projector headlights and the black leather sports seats with carbon dash
trim. It was however dramatically upstaged by the TT.

The next exhibit was the A4 Jetta, known in Europe as Bora. A very
well-proportioned upmarket-looking car, especially in dark colours. The
rear end had a large dose of Passat, and I like the alloys, too. The car
shown was the top-of-the-line V5, with leather interior and everything else
you can imagine. The front end looks less sporting than the Golf's, but not
boring because of that.

While I was clicking away with my camera, I heard someone mention the New
Beetle and followed the group into the underground parking garage, where I
saw a red and a yellow New Beetle. This was my first encounter with this
car, as it's yet to be introduced in Holland. The interior seems very nice
and spacious, I like the steering wheel and the ample headroom but dislike
the gimmicky flower vase. It looked nicer and more welcoming with a light
interior (the red, auto trans car had a beige interior) than with the black
upholstery.

One of the importer's sales guys (not really, they don't sell cars there)
noticed my camera and my drooling over these cars and we had a chat. He was
impressed with my enthousiasm of all things Audi, and told me that all 400
TTs to be imported in Holland in '98 were sold already- 200 to dealers for
demos, 200 for customers) and that there's a waiting list until August '99
if you order one now. I was given more brochures (including a 'lifestyle
accesories' brochure with tremendously expensive stuff, like a $1k jacket
with TT logo) and a nice 1:87 model of the TT.

I commented on their nice showroom, and had noticed that there was a tape
running on the monitors showing old and new Audi commercials, from the UrQ,
80, 100, 200, CQ old and new through to the S4 and TT. I tried to wangle a
copy out of him, even offering to pay for it whatever he wanted), but he
told me he wasn't allowed to hand out copies. Hmmm... I want that tape!

All in all I shot 34 pictures in the showroom. Can't wait to get them
developed.

Test drive of the TT next weekend...

Tom