15 Sep 06
The TT is that rarity, a motor show concept car that actually made it into production intact. Design-wise this was a no-compromise car, so if you like design details you will love the TT.
From the tight panel gaps to the fuss-free exterior, with its tight panel gaps and low-profile spoked alloy wheels, it not only looked unique, it looked like the future. The Allen key design on the fuel flap was repeated inside on the air vents and door trim, with lots of aluminium parts such as the gear knob adding up to a tactile and purposeful cockpit.
It looked like a two-seat coupe, but two more bodies could squeeze in the back, provided they did not suffer from claustrophobia. Taking the roof off to create the Roadster - which had always been one of the original design concepts, anyway - only broadened the TT's appeal.
Amazingly, underneath that futuristic interior was a humble Golf hatchback, so the transformation was even more remarkable. Unfortunately, the design proved to be a little too pure, that slippery shape turning out to be unstable at speed with tragic results, resulting in early versions having to be heavily modified.
Only a very special car can survive that kind of bad PR.
