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At its debut as a concept car in 1995 and finally a production reality, the Audi TT was one of the most dramatic cars to come out in the mid-to-late 1990s. Its organic and symmetrically styled front and rear profiles contrasted with slab-sided flanks to create a look unlike anything Audi had ever done before. Meanwhile, the TT’s handsomely executed interior left no discernible traces of the car’s rather humble VW Golf roots.

Named after the Tourist Trophy motorsports event held on the Isle of Man (in which a predecessor of the Audi brand competed), the Audi TT is not quite a sports car, not quite a sport coupe or roadster. In essence, the front- or all-wheel drive TT is a two-seat GT. True, the coupe has a pair of seats in the back, but they are best left for little kids or used as an upholstered package shelf. The TT has the low-slung, close-coupled look and feel of a sports car, but its dynamic personality is closer to that of a luxury sport coupe.

Regardless of year and trim level, the TT is respectably fast, but with some first-generation versions weighing over 3,600 pounds and suspension tuning that prioritizes touring comfort over all-out cornering prowess, it won’t be the first choice for hard-core enthusiasts. Those zealots seeking a harder-edged driving experience would be better served by more finely focused sports cars. The great majority of consumers, however, who desire a sporty coupe or roadster with energetic performance and a heavy accent on style, should be more than happy with the Audi TT.

Current Audi TT

The current Audi TT was redesigned for the 2008 model year and represents the second generation. Although slightly larger than before, the new TT doesn’t stray too far from the timeless lines of the original. The general look is the same, though character lines are crisper and the nose adopts Audi’s now signature single-frame grille. Once again, two trim levels – a 2.0T (200-hp turbocharged four with front-wheel drive) and 3.2 Quattro (250-hp V6 with all-wheel drive) — are offered in a choice of hatchback coupe and roadster body styles. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual and a six-speed S tronic twin-clutch sequential transmission that offers the ease of an automatic combined with the quick response of a manual. (Formerly, the S tronic was known as the Direct Shift Gearbox, or DSG.)

Standard equipment highlights for the 2.0T include leather seating, a CD player and 17-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tires. The 3.2 Quattro ups the ante with power/heated front seats, a power soft top for the roadster (it’s manual on the 2.0T roadster) and a CD changer. Notable options include a navigation system, xenon headlights, active suspension (with magnetic dampers), rear park assist and an “S-line” package that includes 19-inch wheels and body styling accents.

Although longer and wider than the first Audi TT, the latest version is lighter (by nearly 200 pounds in the case of the roadster) thanks to increased use of aluminum in the body structure. On the road, the 2.0T feels more agile through a set of curves, as it has less weight on the front tires, while the 3.2 Quattro delivers more punch on straightaways along with a more aggressive engine and exhaust sound. Audi claims the 0-60-mph sprint for the V6 takes just 5.7 seconds, while the turbo four will hit that speed in 6.2 seconds. The 2.0T is actually the more athletic of the two, as its quick-revving four-cylinder engine, whooshing turbocharger and light-effort, nimble steering all combine to deliver a strong sporting impression. However, the TT 2.0T is a front-wheel-drive car and still can’t quite match the balance and feedback of a dedicated rear-drive sports car when being pushed hard on a curvy road.

Past Audi TT Models

Introduced for the 2000 model year and initially available solely as a hatchback coupe, the first TT was powered by Audi’s peppy 1.8-liter, 180-hp turbocharged inline-4. Buyers could choose either front- or all-wheel drive (Audi’s Quattro system). A five-speed manual was standard, while a six-speed manual was optional. Along with its low-slung, avant-garde styling, the TT boasted an equally unique interior that featured polished aluminum accents, impeccable fit and finish and, unfortunately, a few ergonomic glitches such as a CD changer mounted behind the driver seat and counterintuitive climate controls.

After a highly publicized recall to fix the twitchy handling characteristics of early TTs, a roadster and a 225-hp Quattro version debuted the following year. In 2003, an automatic transmission (with six speeds) became available. But the biggest news for this generation came in 2004, when the 250-hp 3.2-liter V6 and Audi’s superb six-speed automanual gearbox became available. The latter, dubbed DSG, provided rapid yet jolt-free manual-style gearchanges that put a Ferrari’s F1 transmission to shame. The Audi TT stood pat through 2006, the last year of this generation.

Potential buyers should know that, although potentially fast in a straight line, this TT was never considered a true sports car due to its potentially heavy curb weight and softly sprung suspension. Still, the TT should satisfy those who prize comfort, style and all-weather capability in their sport coupe or roadster.