Affordable sports car but is this Audi TT 1.8 the best one to modify?

This is the 2002 Lemans edition Audi TT with a 1.8T 225 engine! On the surface, this little red sports car was built to commemorate Audi's American LeMans Series wins but it also represents the most performance-oriented iteration of Audi's wonderfully Bauhaus inspired sports car. The 5 valve 1.8 turbo engine in this car is inexpensive to modify and especially if you are getting into car modifying for the first time, there are a lot of reasons why this is a great sports car to start with.

00:00 Audi TT introduction
01:04 A sports car that still stands out
02:34 Why is this Audi TT so rare?
04:36 Easy to modify 225 1.8 turbo engine
07:48 What is the Audi TT like to drive?
09:37 Interior and design
12:59 How can you modify the TT?
16:53 Outtakes and Extras

The Audi ALMS TT (car in this video) represents a limited-edition model created to celebrate Audi's victories in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). While not directly connected to the Le Mans 24 Hours race, the ALMS was a sports car racing series in North America, and Audi's participation and success in this series were significant for the brand. The ALMS TT, therefore, serves as a tribute to Audi's motorsport achievements, associating the Audi TT as a strategic marketing move. It allowed Audi to leverage its motorsport success to enhance the appeal of the TT model.

These connections between motorsport and production vehicles are common in the industry and contribute to the overall brand identity and appeal. In Canada, this specific ALMS TT is very rare, with only 1,000 cars being sold in 2 specifications. This red TT is only 1 of 500.

The engine is a 225-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, with 207 lb ft torque. It's a sophisticated little gem, delivering plenty of power and can easily be modified to produce more.

With a lot of skeptics criticizing the Audi TT as a not being a dedicated sports car, as its chassis was shared with other VW products, its actually very fun and small to throw around in the corners. The chassis and suspension are where this car truly shines. It feels like it's glued to the road, and the quattro all-wheel drive system mitigates any torque steer, which you might find in other front-wheel-drive small sports cars. You can even modulate the handling from understeer to oversteer with just a bit of throttle input.

Now, the Mark 1 Audi TT was originally intended to be a manual car only, but to help increase its sales volume and appeal to all types of drivers is did come with a automatic option. However, this Lemans edition was only offered in a six-speed manual! Which for a car like this, it’s the best way to go. The six-speed manual offers that direct connection between driver and machine, which is rare these days. It makes the driving experience more engaging and adds to the overall fun factor when you row through the gears and time your shifts perfectly with the boost and rpm.

If you watched the first episode in the Audit TT series, where we talked about the VR6 edition, you already know the history of how unique and special the design is. But let's step inside this Lemans edition, because it does have a few small changes that stand out

First, the white interior or Avus silver option in this car was only offered in the ALMS edition, same as the only other red leather option. Speaking of leather, the Nappa leather seats are not only comfortable but also stylish. The build quality is typical high quality Audi. The controls are intuitive, and everything is well within reach of the driver. It's a great place to be, especially on long drives, it feels tight and sporty.

Now, every driver is different and how they decide to modify or preserve their personal cars is their choice. For many enthusiasts, there is a reason why the 1.8 T 225 is the preferred model to work on, it’s innexpenvie, theres lots of aftermarket support, and there are a lot of available OEM or aftermarket parts readily available.

Performance Upgrades: This can include modifications such as engine tuning, aftermarket exhaust systems, upgraded turbochargers, and performance air intake systems. This car went from a stock 225 hp to 273 hp with a simple Stage 1 plus tune from Unironic. It also bumped the torque from 207 to 275.

In summary, the Mark 1 audi TT is special for many reasons. For some, it might be nostalgia, harkening back to a time where the design of this car shook the car world and planted a flag for audi as a sports car company that would eventually deliver us the R8. For others, it might be a new entry into the car world, where for a low entry price, you can get into modifications, high horsepower, fun personalization, without breaking the bank.

Be sure to check out the full article on WhyBuy here https://www.whybuyglb.com/project/196...

Watch episode 1 on the VR6 Audi TT here    • Audi TT VR6 might be the best sports ...  

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