The TT Coupe made its first appearance as a concept at the 1995 Frankfurt show, and was still dazzling when it made its U.S. debut for model year 2000. With apologies to the Dodge Viper, the TT might be considered the car that opened the floodgates of creativity by breaking down the barriers of manufacturers' and especially designers' fears.
The bathtub shape was radically retro when the TT was introduced and it still doesn't seem dated; it's still striking. It was daring for its purity and simplicity of form five years ago and still is, although designers of all makes have gotten more creative lately (think BMW Z4). In short, the TT looks terrific, especially the Coupe.
The engine is mounted in front but the TT's overall presence makes it look like the engine should be right behind the driver, like the Porsche Boxster's. Instead there are small seats back there, making the TT a two-plus-two, unlike the Boxster. Lift the hood and you could still think it's a mid-engine, at least with the four-cylinder twin-turbo 1.8 T. It looks less like an engine than a couple of black plastic suitcases crammed into a Karmann-Ghia trunk.
The TT 3.2 has some new styling licks including the lamps, grilles and rear deck badging. But mostly there are aerodynamic tweaks, too subtle to be individually recognized by the casual observer, although they give the TT a vaguely sleeker overall appearance. There's a new front apron with side gills and enlarged inlets for engine cooling, and a bigger rear spoiler and honeycomb diffuser to increase stability at high speeds. The exhaust pipes are unique to the 3.2 as well.
The styling doesn't quite work as well without the top, because much of the visual appeal comes with the endearing total roundness. The Roadster looks like it forgot something when it left the house: its top. When it's up, the soft top looks pretty cool though.
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