We all remember the first time we saw the Audi TT; futuristic in its rounded design, perhaps much like a Porsche 911 or a VW Beetle was, the first TT debuted in 1998 and was quite the statement, especially in silver.

The origins of the TT began in 1994 at the Volkswagen Group Design Centre in California, with the concept car debuting at the Frankfurt motor show in 1995. Freeman Thomas sketched the original design and Peter Schreyer translated the vision into production.

The final debut coupe design would differ little from the concept car, short of the redesigned bumpers and rear quarter windows behind the doors. The Roadster (convertible) version followed a year later.

Production took place in Györ, Hungary and the body was painted and manufactured at Ingolstadt in Germany. The “TT” name originated from the British Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) motorcycle race, which a DKW motorcycle had won (DKW and NSU later merged to become Audi).

The 1998 TT came only as either a five- or six-speed manual, depending on engine size. A six-speed tiptronic and six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) would later become available from 2003. 

Initial engines included a 1.8-litre 20 valve turbocharged four cylinder and a 3.2-litre 24 value turbocharged V6, donated from the Volkswagen Group. The four cylinder came in two 132kW and 165kW versions, while the 3.2-litre put out 184kW. Base models were front-wheel-drive only and higher models got the “Quattro” (Audi’s four-wheel-drive).

Accidents from high speeds above 180km/h briefly tarnished the TT’s reputation and in late 1999 Audi recalled all cars to add an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and a rear spoiler were added, with these features also being incorporated into all future models.

The interior was impressive and still looks fresh 23 years later. Indeed Audi’s future interior design direction definitely took some inspiration from the TT, especially with the metal rotary controls around the air vents. The 1998 TT interior was not only an exercise in form and function, but also in space saving and nowhere else is this more evident in its two front seats being so close together and the minimalist “+2” design in the rear.

The first generation TT never won any prizes for sports car handling or outright performance but that wasn’t its point. It was a rapid car in the larger engine size, but not in a Porsche Cayman or 911 type way. 

And that was exactly it. If you wanted supercar performance you exited from the Audi showroom to the Porsche cousin. However, if you wanted a smart, somewhat futuristic car (especially in silver) and were at mid-life crisis age, the TT was perfect.

The first generation soldiered on to 2006, with the second generation having an eight year run until 2014. 

Now in 2021, we are late into the third generation of the TT, and can expect a fourth generation model, most likely fully electrified in late 2022. The TT has always been an important car for Audi, but with competition growing in the “sports car space” (which in 2021 includes wagons, SUVS and coupes), the TT needs to redefine its identity to sell well.

TradeMe has about 15 examples of the “first gen” including a New Zealand new manual black 2000 Quattro Roadster with 95,639km at $10,050 or nearest offer. 

There is also a NZ new automatic blue 2003 model Roadster, with 81,750km at $10,995.

I would steer away from imports, although there are quite a few examples in this category if you want to take the risk.