Audi blithely skipped the 2007 model year on its way to introducing its redesigned 2008 TT coupe and convertible sports cars. I drove the sleeker four-seat coupe, mechanically identical to the two-seat soft top version.
The first TT arrived in late 1999. It caused a bit of a sensation because it had the visual charm of a classic 1950-65 Porsche 356 with an “inverted bathtub” body. It was styled by Volkswagen New Beetle designers Freeman Thomas and J Mays—the guy with no real first name (without even a period) who now heads Ford Motor world design. The new TT was styled by Walter de’Silva, who heads the Audi and Lamborghini styling departments.
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