2000 Audi TT Coupe
The Birth Of An
Audi Sports Car Tradition

By Joanne Brickman
Photography By Brian Leshon

History: The roots of Audi reach back one hundred years to November 14, 1899 when August Horch founded August Horch & Cie in Cologne, Germany. The rings of Audi date back to June 29, 1932 when four companies, including Horch, joined together under the sign of four linked rings -- a symbol which was chosen to commemorate the union of the founder companies and the symbol Audi retains today. The year 1999 marks another momentous moment in Audi history: the introduction of the 2000 Audi TT Coupe. Press materials say the new car marks "the birth of an Audi sports car tradition." During the recent press introduction of the car in Austin, Texas, Len Hunt, the company's new Vice President in charge of Audi of America, called the TT "a brand defining moment in the company's history." Whatever the accolades, it's clear the company is placing a lot of confidence in the TT, whose name pays homage to the legendary European motorsports event: the Tourist Trophy. The new 2000 Audi TT was first shown as a concept car at the 1995 Frankfurt International Auto Show. It makes its appearance in the showrooms of America in May, 1999 bearing a remarkable resemblance to the original Freeman Thomas design.

Vehicle Type: 2+2 sport coupe, front-wheel drive

Base Price: $30,500 plus $525 destination charge

Engine: 1.8- liter, turbocharged DOHC 4-cylinder, 180-horsepower

Transmission: 5-speed manual

Fuel Economy: 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway/25 mpg combined

Safety Features: Safety features play an integral role in this new sporty car. In addition to next-generation driver and front passenger air bags, the TT is the first Audi to be equipped with driver and front passenger head-and-thorax side airbags. Mounted in the front seat backs, these airbags come into action should a side impact occur, protecting front occupants from the head down to the ribs. Automatic front seat belt pretensioners keep seat belts taut in a collision. Additional belt-force limiters prevent the load imposed by the seat belt from becoming too high, even in a severe frontal crash. The over-all purpose of this sophisticated front-seat belt system is to keep occupants in closer contact with the seats, thereby reducing the risk of injury. All four seats in the TT are equipped with 3-point safety belts; front belts offer height adjustment. Other standard safety features include front passenger-side airbag cut-off switch, traction control, abs anti-lock brakes, and central locking with a safety unlock that automatically unlocks doors and switches off the fuel pump if the airbags deploy. As an added touch, every TT comes with a first-aid kit and a warning triangle for use in an emergency, should one arise.