2001 Audi TT Roadster

What is it?
2001 Audi TT Roadster

What's special about it?
As the name implies, the 2001 TT Roadster is a convertible version of the 2000 TT Coupe. The power-operated top is easy to use and features a glass rear window. A tonneau cover can be quickly attached to conceal the soft top. Wind turbulence in the cabin is reduced via an electrically retractable glass windbreak shaped to follow the outline of the rollover bars. A special "baseball glove" leather interior is available only on the Roadster, as is the Nimbus Gray exterior color. Both the 2001 Roadster and Coupe can be ordered with a more powerful engine. It's still a turbocharged 1.8-liter four cylinder, but in this case it makes 225 horsepower. Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system and a six-speed manual transmission come standard if the more powerful engine is specified.

Why should I care?
The TT loses no visual impact in roadster form. In fact, many think that the TT looks even better this way. The new high-output engine is welcome, as it closes the horsepower gap between the TT and the BMW M Roadster, Honda S2000 and Porsche Boxster S. The 2001 TT Roadster and Coupe should be in showrooms by May 2000. Expect the price of a 225-horsepower TT Roadster to be around $39,000.