The TT is arguably the only model from Audi that is seen as a true sports car, featuring good yet not wild performance, and slinky, but not overly alluring looks, all in a two-door coupe setup with fun driving dynamics.

The TT has been in production since 1998, and despite undergoing numerous changes both inside and out, as well as the emergence and disappearance of certain trims, Audi has managed to maintain the TT’s essence to this day, with the 2023 model set to be its newest iteration.

Nowadays, there are a plethora of highly competitive sports cars in the form of the Toyota Supra, the Porsche Cayman, or even the immensely powerful Chevy Corvette, which all place themselves close to the Audi TT in terms of pricing. With the most powerful RS package no longer offered on the TT, Audi has found other ways to make its little sports car a good buy. Here’s why the Audi TT is so special.

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The TT Is Still One Of The Best-Looking Sports Cars Around

Audi TT Roadster - Rear
Via Audi Media Center

When it comes to sports cars, exterior looks tend to be just as important as performance and internal hardware, and the Audi TT has always ticked that box with a timeless design that still looks like a modernized version of the original '98 model.

The 2023 TT boasts a curvy body that can be configured as a coupe or convertible, featuring a sloping hood and roof that seamlessly feeds into a rear that might not look as aggressive as previous models due to the lack of a diffuser and other sporty elements.

Nonetheless, there’s a mechanical wing that raises on-demand, and the front end of the TT still looks reasonably aggressive, thanks to some large air intakes and a wide grille.

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The 2023 Audi TTS Offers Healthy Performance

tt-quattro-tdi
source:netcars

Under the hood of the TT lies a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque through a seven-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system. It can run from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds on its way to a limited top speed of 155 mph. The TTS version takes things up a notch, featuring the same engine as the base model, but tuned for more power. It makes 288 horses and 280 pound-feet of torque, which allows it to boost from 0-60 mph a whole one second faster than the regular TT.

The TTS also adds worthy exterior upgrades that make it a tad more sporty, such as side skirts, a front lip, and revised mirror caps.

Drivability on the TT and TTS is practically identical, and you’ll find both versions to provide decent agility and precise steering, aided by low body weight and small footprint. Suspension isn’t overly stiff, but it's enough to make the TT capable of taking on corners at high speeds without significant body roll.

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The 2023 TT Features A Simple And Comfortable Interior

Audi TT Interior
Via Audi 

Despite its small size, the 2023 Audi TT presents a minimalist interior cabin with plenty of high-grade materials and an overall easy-to-use configuration. The center console doesn’t have an infotainment screen, replaced instead by climate vents and control buttons, though there is a fully-configurable digital driver’s display behind the TT’s sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel.

The front seats are spacious and cozy, and the coupe version even provides rear seats, though no regular human can realistically fit in them, nor could most children, for that matter. The coupe also offers 12 cubic feet of storage space versus the convertible’s 8 cubic feet, and both models also offer additional storage compartments within the cabin.

Overall, the Audi TT doesn’t add bring anything new to the table for the 2023 model year but remains a true sports car with an enticing balance of looks and performance. This may very well be the last new TT to emerge from Audi’s factories, and a similarly priced electric sports car might replace it for the 2024 model year.