It's hard not to feel like a "rebel without a cause" when driving the TT, due
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| Although the daring, sassy styling of the TT is visually stimulating and artistically exciting, it imposes a few ergonomic challenges. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
to its '50s sports car styling. I admire Audi for retaining the styling boldness projected by the original concept, as the production car's overall low profile, overhanging roof and narrow side windows reach back to yesteryear, adding an element of retro-styling that everyone, young and old, can identify with. The TT's long flat hood and large, flared wheel openings accentuate the retro-design features. Dominating the side profile and tail treatment of the athletic little Audi is a broad shoulder-line running the length of the vehicle, culminating in a short rear deck and beautifully rounded backside. Although the daring, sassy styling of the TT is visually stimulating and artistically exciting, it imposes a few ergonomic challenges, beginning with a long drop to a seat cushion. Once a butt does contact leather, a purposeful drooping of the head is necessary to pull it under the extremely low roofline without creating a cranial collision of sorts. And throughout this body-wrenching ordeal, don't expect to support yourself on a center console armrest, there isn't one. Once the body has safely landed, reaching back for the distant seatbelt requires further contorting of the human frame, but alas, once buckled-in the TT goes to great lengths to reward the effort. Post reward, the entire body warping ingress process is reversed for egress - it's kind of like uncoiling a spring.
The TT cockpit is very accommodating, even to those with large frames. Headroom is surprisingly generous, provided the head in question occupies a front seat. Legroom up front is exceptional, to the point of outstretching my beanpoles - which are lengthy, or so I've been told - and shoulder room is sufficient to allow decent separation between driver and passenger biceps. These space allotments apply only to the two front seats. Unfortunately the two rear seats are torturous to all human forms tall enough to shop in the adult
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| With no concern for my well-being, I twisted my way into torturously cramped rear seats. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
section. With little regard for my own safety or physical well-being, I twisted and turned like Houdini performing a death-defying stunt and managed to plunk my lithe form into a rear seat. Once there, the back of my head was mashed against the rear window, which created a 90-degree kink in my neck, and my knees were rubbing my ears. Based on my death-defying stunt, I can boldly avow that the rear seats are best suited to small children, or passengers with femurs of rubber and no heads. It is unrealistic to consider the TT as anything close to a 4-passenger coupe. Fortunately, when not occupied by miniature humans or a pair of Chihuahuas, the rear seats can be folded flat, creating a cavernous stowage area in relation to the TT's overall diminutive size. Accessing the cargo real estate is as easy as popping open the coupe's amply sized hatchback.
Imprimer