2008 Audi TT Roadster 2.0

T-Tempest in a T-Teapot
By Nina Russin

2008 Audi TT Roadster

Who says four cylinder cars have to be boring? The Audi TT roadster 2.0 is anything but. Its four cylinder direct injection engine produces 200 horsepower and 207 foot-pounds of torque. Turbocharging gives the car additional power without reducing fuel economy. Zero-to-sixty time is just over six seconds.

Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The automatic transmission on the test car can change gears in 0.2 seconds. If the driver chooses, he can shift manually using the shift lever or paddles on the back of the steering wheel.

 The two liter engine is one of two available blocks. A larger V6 rated at 250 horsepower has a 5.3 second zero-to-sixty time, and comes standard with Audi quattro all-wheel drive.

The two-liter grade is front-wheel drive: it doesn’t have quattro’s sticking power on wet roads. But fuel economy is considerably better: 25 miles-per-gallon, as compared to 20 for the V6. Since both engines require premium fuel, the extra five gallons per mile can have a major impact on the driver’s wallet.

Classic design, inside and out

The second-generation TT roadster is longer, wider and taller than the original model, adding some much-needed interior space. The trunk is slightly larger as well, though still not big enough to hold more than a couple of duffle bags. Though its dimensions have changed, the new TT maintains the compact, classic proportions of the original car. Wide shoulders and 17-inch wheels give the roadster a muscular, cat-like posture.

The grille incorporates Audi’s four-ring logo, flanked by a blacked-out grille and optional adaptive bi-xenon headlamps ($800). The headlamps, which light corners in the road as the driver is turning, make a tremendous difference in visibility on poorly lit roads.

The standard cloth top is well insulated and remarkably soundproof. An optional power mechanism lowers the top in twelve seconds and folds it, flush with the body, in back.
The system, which operates at speeds up to twenty-five miles-per-hour, utilizes a single button on the center console. It is basically idiot-proof. A glass rear window that doesn’t yellow over time makes the top age-proof as well. An optional wind deflector moves air around the passengers for a more pleasant open air experience.

The best car seats ever made

The optional Rawlings leather seats are so exceptional, that it begs the question as to why the company continues to make baseball gloves. Unlike most car seats, the Rawling leather seems to get better with age. Water and dirt enhances its patina. The Rawlings trim is the only leather I don’t stain when I’m streaming with sweat after a long run.

All grades come with Audi’s flat-bottomed steering wheel. In addition to making the driver more aware of steering movements, the flat-bottomed wheel can be positioned lower without impinging on legroom. Redundant audio and cruise controls allow the driver to change programming with a minimum of distraction.

Interior storage space is minimal. Those who want more room on the inside should consider the TT coupe. There are a couple of smallish cupholders on the center console, and there’s a small bin for stashing CDs and the like. The doors have map pockets. There is also a lockable storage compartment between the seatbacks. The cigarette lighter doubles as the car’s only 12-volt outlet.

Nimble in the corners

Audis have a unique feel on the road: engineers make extensive use of aluminum throughout the chassis keeping it light and very rigid. Despite the fact that the TT is a relatively light car with a small footprint, it’s exceptionally stable at speed. An independent front and rear suspension gives the car a buttery smooth ride without compromising steering response.

Engineers balanced the front transaxle with a heavier steel structure in back, to maintain a better front-to-rear balance. The car has very little tendency to push, even when driven aggressively.

The seventeen-inch alloy wheels come standard with summer performance tires, which offer the best traction on dry roads in warm weather. Drivers in northern climates should plan to buy snow tires if they drive the TT in the winter.

 A speed-sensitive spoiler automatically deploys at highway speeds to enhance the car’s downforce. Dual exhaust pipes and wide taillamps remind others in the vicinity that the TT is more than a cruiser.

Visibility around the car is moderate with the top in place. As with most roadsters, the rear window is relatively small. The windscreen also restricts visibility to the rear. The side mirrors do a pretty good job of minimizing the blind spots: enough to make the driver comfortable maneuvering through traffic at speed.

Standard safety

All models come standard with front, side and knee airbags. Engineers reinforced the side sills and front pillars of the roadster to make the structure more robust. A high strength steel tube integrated into the windshield and standard roll bars offer additional protection in the event of a rollover. Active safety features include antilock brakes and electronic stability program.

Base price for the two-liter TT is $36,800. A premium package on the test car ($3050) adds a power top, ten-way power heated seats, radio upgrade with CD changer and redundant steering wheel controls. Other options on the test car include the navigation system with iPod interface ($1950), leather trim upgrade ($1250), the Rawlings seats ($1000), Bose premium sound system with Sirius satellite radio ($1000), adaptive headlamps ($800) and Bluetooth phone preparation ($450).

All models come with a four-year warranty with four years of roadside assistance. The TT roadster is currently on display at Audi dealerships nationwide.

Likes: A beautifully designed and engineered two-seat roadster that raises the bar for four-cylinder cars. Rawlings seats on the interior are exceptionally durable, attractive and comfortable. The top is easy to deploy, and doesn’t require the use of a boot.

Dislikes: Because of its limited storage space, the TT roadster isn’t a car for everyone. Those who need a more versatile cargo area should consider the coupe.

Quick facts:

Make: Audi
Model: TT Roadster 2.0 TFSI S tronic
Year: 2008
Base price: $36,800
As tested: $47,075
Horsepower: 200 Hp @ 5100 rpm
Torque: 207 lbs.-ft. @ 1800 rpm
Zero-to-sixty: 6.1 seconds
Antilock brakes: Standard
Side curtain airbags: Not available
First aid kit: Not available
Bicycle friendly: No
Off-road: No
Towing: No
Fuel economy: 22/29 mpg city/highway
Comments: Base price does not include a $775 delivery charge.

2008 Accord Four-Door LX-P

Is bigger better?
By Nina Russin

2008 Honda Accord LX-P

For over twenty-five years, the Accord has won the hearts of American buyers by being a beacon of simplicity in a gimmick-laden world. Its large windshield and low cowl contribute to excellent forward vision, its interior is logical and ergonomic, its four-cylinder engine fuel efficient, and all grades have a high level of standard safety.

This year, the all-new Accord edges its way up from the mid-sized to the full-sized sedan segment. The slightly bigger Accord has a 2.3-inch longer wheelbase and 1-inch wider track than the model it replaces, translated to 3.3 cubic feet of additional interior space.

While making models bigger with each new iteration seems to have become standard operating procedure in the car industry, the jury’s still out on whether bigger is necessarily better. Accord owners are pragmatic people. Will the additional interior space justify the model’s increase in weight and decrease in fuel economy?

Just what kind of a decrease are we talking about? According to EPA ratings, the new LX sedan averages three miles per gallon less than the outgoing LX model. In all fairness, more stringent EPA standards for the 2008 model year mean that the actual difference is somewhat less.

However gas mileage during my own test was worse than the EPA figures: the car averaged about 23 miles per gallon for city and highway driving. With gas prices approaching four dollars per gallon, any loss in fuel economy makes a big impact on the driver’s wallet.

The new model is also more expensive. Honda no longer offers the VP grade, priced under $20,000. The PZEV version of the LX sedan now costs $22,160, as opposed to $21,075 for the outgoing model.

Having said that, the new Accord LX has a more refined, powerful engine, bigger standard wheels, and more comfort and convenience features than the model it replaces. The inline four-cylinder engine gets ten more horsepower, though torque remains virtually the same.  Sixteen-inch alloy wheels that were an option on the old LX are now standard.

The audio system on the new LX-P includes a MP3 plug-in and a CD changer. Steering wheel mounted audio controls make it easier for the driver to change channels without taking his eyes off the road. Buyers who want satellite radio and Bluetooth compatibility will need to upgrade to the EX model.

The 2008 LX-P sedan gets some important new standard safety features as well: vehicle stability assist with traction control, active front head restraints, and a tire pressure monitoring system. A new advanced compatibility engineering body structure makes the front end of the car more compatible with vehicles of different sizes and bumper heights.

Sporty exterior styling

Back in the mid-1980s my mother purchased the first of two Accords she owned. The first car was a hatchback, followed by a sedan eight years later. While the cars weren’t unattractive, there was nothing about the exterior styling that set the Accords apart from the crowd.

Non-descript exteriors on former models have given way to sporty designs that appeal to drivers of all ages and lifestyles. Large wrap-around headlamps frame the grille up front. The increase in track and bigger wheels give the car a more muscular stance. The taillamps wrap around the rear quarter panels beginning at the trunk: a style reminiscent of some BMW designs.

The roof is slightly raked to the back to make the profile look sportier, though not enough to interfere with headroom for the rear passengers. Body-color door handles look and feel substantial. Standard alloy wheels on the new model are more attractive than the hubcaps on the outgoing LX: drivers living in areas with lots of potholes no longer have to worry about the hubcaps taking flight in the middle of traffic.

Excellent visibility; improved ride and handling

Despite the increase in price, the 2008 Accord LX-P meets our ALV best value standards. But its ride and handling rival cars in the entry luxury segment. While it isn’t a barn burner, the four-cylinder engine has plenty of power: acceleration off the line is surprisingly good.

On a drive up the 17 freeway between Phoenix and Sedona, the engine had enough power to pass slower cars on the uphill grade. There’s more downshifting with the four-cylinder engine than there would be for a bigger block, but the five-speed automatic transmission doesn’t produce a lot of shift shock.

Visibility all the way around the car is outstanding. I’ve already mentioned the low front cowl which enhances the driver’s forward vision. The side mirrors do a good job of minimizing blind spots without obstructing the driver’s view to the front or sides. The Accord is unique among new car designs for not having a thick rear pillar, so the driver has a better view to the rear as well.

A fully independent suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars gives the Accord a compliant ride, without sacrificing stability in the corners. The car can easily handle decreasing radius turns, and take cloverleaf entrance ramps at speed. A tilt and telescoping steering wheel is small enough that women won’t feel as if they’re driving a man’s car.

Rear disc brakes replace drums on the old LX model, making the car easier to service, and improving braking performance in wet weather. The brakes are firm and linear. All models come with standard four-channel antilock brakes.

Spacious interior

Both rows of passengers get plenty of room to stretch out in. While a tunnel through the rear floor compromises legroom on the middle seat, passengers in the outboard seats should be quite comfortable. I found both front and second-row seats to have better-than-average lower back support.

An eight-way power driver’s seat, standard on the test car, makes it easy for people of all sizes to find a comfortable position. The standard tilt and telescoping steering wheel enables small women to maintain a safe distance from the front airbag. The standard cloth upholstery is attractive, and doesn’t retain heat in the warm southwestern climate the way leather does.

Access is excellent for all seating positions. While I didn’t have a problem exiting the rear seats, the knee bolster on the driver’s side hit my knees on several occasions exiting the car.

The front doors have map pockets with bottle holders. Two cupholders in the floor console are large enough to hold bottles as well. I liked the small shelf located to the left of the steering wheel, meant to hold cell phones or small electronic devices.

There are two, 12-volt power points up front: the cigarette lighter in the center stack, and a second outlet inside the center console bin. The MP3 plug-in is located in that bin as well.

The center stack is logically laid out, with audio system information displayed on top, temperature controls in the center, and two storage shelves beneath. The gauges in the instrument cluster are easy to read in any light.

A small bin overhead holds sunglasses or a garage door opener. Both rows of passengers get reading lamps. Although the LX-P does not have a moonroof, there seems to be enough ambient light in the car to make rear-seat passengers comfortable.

A fold-down armrest in back has two small cupholders: possibly large enough for small cans, but not big enough for bottles. There is a lockable pass-though that’s big enough to fit golf bags, skis and possibly a surf board. The trunk itself is almost large enough to hold a bicycle with the front wheel removed, but the pass through isn’t wide enough to make the job easier.

Standard safety

The LX-P comes equipped with standard antilock brakes, traction and electronic stability program, a tire pressure monitoring system, active head restraints for front-seat passengers, front, side and side curtain airbags. About half the car body is made of high-strength steel, improving occupant protection as well as torsional rigidity.

The new Accord sedan is available in either the base LX or upscale EX grades with the choice of an inline four-cylinder or V6 engine, five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions. Pricing ranges from $20,360 for the LX sedan with five-speed manual transmission to $30,260 for the EX-L grade with a V6 engine, automatic transmission and navigation system.

The all-new Accord is on display at Honda dealerships nationwide.

Likes: A spacious sedan with excellent visibility, and a high level of standard safety features. Ride and handling rival luxury cars costing considerably more.

Dislikes: The wrap-around front knee bolster can be an obstacle when exiting the driver’s seat. The rear pass-through isn’t wide enough to make the Accord bicycle friendly.

Quick facts:

Make: Honda
Model: Accord LX-P sedan
Year: 2008
Base price: $22,160
As tested: $22,795
Horsepower: 177 Hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 161 lbs-ft. @ 4300 rpm
Zero-to-sixty: N/A
Antilock brakes: Standard
Side curtain airbags: Standard
First aid kit: Not available
Bicycle friendly: No
Off-road: No
Towing: No
Fuel economy: 21/31 mpg city/highway
Comments: Base price does not include a $635 delivery charge.

2008 Audi A8L quattro AT6

Luxury sedan with a sports car attitude
By Nina Russin

2008 Audi A8L

I like to think of Audi’s flagship sedan as a very big sports car. It combines the performance and handling driving enthusiasts look for with a spacious cabin that gives second-row passengers as much room to stretch out as those riding in front.

Rear passengers in the upscale Audi enjoy comfort and convenience features normally reserved for the front row: dual-zone climate control, cupholders, storage bins, and power lumbar controls. The optional Bang & Olufsen audio system provides symphony-quality surround sound throughout the cabin.

Uncompromised driving experience

Despite its size, the Audi A8L has the ride and handling characteristics of a sports car. Curb weight is extremely light for a seventeen foot-long sedan: just over 4400 pounds. The 4.2-liter engine is also quite powerful. Direct injection feeds fuel directly into the cylinders for instant throttle response. Zero-to-sixty acceleration is 5.9 seconds.

A standard six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift option closely matches the gears to the driver’s style and road conditions. Average fuel economy is about eighteen miles-per-gallon.

An aluminum frame saves weight and enhances torsional stiffness, to improve steering feedback at speed. Weaving through highway traffic reminds me of a wide receiver: big, light on the feet, and fast as spit. Think Larry Fitzgerald, but with twenty-inch rims and low-profile tires in place of feet.

Not afraid to get dirty

While I wouldn’t recommend taking the A8 on the Rubicon trail, an adaptive suspension system gives the luxury sedan additional ground clearance for driving through snow or on unimproved roads.

Normal ground clearance for the car is just under five inches. The driver can modify the car’s ride height using a mouse on the center console. At speed, the adaptive suspension automatically lowers the car to improve its aerodynamics and handling.

A lift mode raises the car up an inch, giving it enough ground clearance for the average graded dirt road. The only caveat is the car’s length. Its 121-inch wheelbase gives the Audi a lower breakover angle than a short wheelbase car. In other words, it will be more likely to become high centered when trying to crest a steep hill.

A mouse that roars

Years back, BMW’s iDrive system opened the door for car operating systems that look and function like personal computers. The system got a lot of negative feedback: drivers were reluctant to give up traditional knobs and buttons. But now that everything from cell phones to television controls have computer-inspired designs, mouse-based systems in cars have gained greater acceptance.

Audi’s multi-media interface system consists of a mouse in the center console and a pop-up screen above the center stack: the mouse controls a variety of functions: navigation, satellite radio, CD or MP3 audio, Bluetooth telephone, and suspension settings. It’s a very intuitive system to use, and combines a lot of functions in an uncluttered format.

The steering wheel has redundant audio and cruise control settings, to minimize driver distraction. Paddles on the back of the wheel allow the driver to shift F1 style, or he can use the shift lever in the floor console.

Separate controls on the center stack regulate temperature. Both rows of passengers have dual-zone climate controls. Controls for the front seat heater and ventilators are also on the center stack. The seat ventilators with massage are a $1500 option.

Segment-leading active safety

Audi is an industry leader in both active and passive safety. As its flagship, the A8 is a showcase for emerging occupant protection technologies. All models come standard with front, side, side curtain and front knee airbags. Engineers minimized the number of castings and weld spots in the body structure to give the safety cage around the passengers better integrity.

In a side collision, a high-strength aluminum front pillar braces itself against the other vehicle, while an aluminum roof frame, seat cross members , roof posts and floor panels, work together to resist intrusion.

Audi’s permanent four-wheel drive system, called quattro, can send up to a hundred percent of the engine’s power to a single wheel to maintain traction. A radar based adaptive cruise control option on the test car ($2100) allows the driver to maintain a preset distance from the car in front. A blind spot detection system illuminates a signal in the side view mirror to alert the driver about vehicles in surrounding lanes.

Standard electronic stability system integrates antilock braking, traction and yaw control. The driver has the option of disengaging the system to permit wheel spin in certain situations, such as climbing out of a rut or driving the car for sport.

At night, adaptive bi-xenon headlamps illuminate corners of the road by following steering movements. The system enhances pedestrian safety, since the headlamps illuminate the corners of intersections where people may be waiting to cross.

First class cabin

While it isn’t especially suited for active lifestyles, it’s hard to find fault with the A8L’s spacious passenger cabin. Since the transmission tunnel runs through the middle of the car, the second row is better suited for two passengers than three.

Up front, both the driver and passenger have sixteen-way adjustable seats with four-way power lumbar support, separate center armrests with two bins underneath, cupholders, and overhead reading lamps. The black leather trim on the test car is an upgrade from the standard Valcona leather. I’m not sure what the difference is, but the seats are extremely comfortable.

All comfort and convenience controls are easy to reach from both front seating positions. There are two power points in the car: cigarette lighters in the front and rear.

Second-row passengers can fold down a central armrest with integrated storage bins and cupholders. The flip-out cupholders are flimsy looking: I wouldn’t want to try to stash a water bottle in one.

All four doors have map pockets. There are closed storage bins in the rear door for cell phones or small electronic devices, and additional map pockets in the front seatbacks.

Engineers took extreme measures to reduce noise intrusion to the interior. There are sound deadening panels under the floor, between the passenger cabin and engine, and inside the wheel arches. The windshield and side windows have an acoustic polyvinyl material sandwiched in between layers of glass to further reduce noise.

As a result, the audio system doesn’t have to compete with the squealing brakes, blaring horns, and screaming drivers during a typical rush hour. It’s almost enough to make the daily commute civilized.

Super-sized trunk

While it isn’t large enough to hold a bicycle, the A8L’s spacious trunk is large enough to stash big cartons, duffle bags, golf bags or camping equipment. There is enough room in and around the rear seats to stow luggage and larger cartons as well. I was able to pack two large cartons of running shoes into the trunk, two more on the rear seats, and several racks of clothing on top.

Three flagship models available

The A8 and A8L are two of Audi’s four flagship models: the other two are the sporty S8 with a V10 engine, and the A8W12, which has a twelve cylinder engine in place of the 4.2-liter V8 in the A8L.

Base price on the A8L is $74,690, not including a $775 delivery charge. MSRP on the test car is $98,665. The A8L is produced at Audi’s Neckarsulm, Germany assembly plant.

Likes: A quiet, spacious luxury car with world-class performance and classic design. Despite its long wheelbase, the A8 is as light and nimble as a sports car, with exceptional acceleration and braking. The interior is exceptionally comfortable: second-row passengers have as much leg, head and shoulder room as those riding up front, with amenities not normally found in the back seats of a car.

Dislikes: The A8 interior is not particularly well suited to active lifestyles: the cupholders are too small, and there are not enough power points. 

Quick facts:

Make: Audi
Model: A8L quattro AT6
Year: 2008
Base price: $74,690
As tested: $98,665
Horsepower: 350 Hp @ 6800 rpm
Torque: 325 lbs.-ft. @ 3500 rpm
Zero-to-sixty: 5.9 seconds
Antilock brakes: Standard
Side curtain airbags: Standard
First aid kit: Not available
Bicycle friendly: No
Towing: No
Off-road: No
Fuel economy: 16/23 mpg city/highway