Originally Posted by Edmunds

But Audi has made the TT fresh again. The car will be ground-up new for 2007. Designers stretched, pulled and kneaded the familiar TT shape; the result is a 5.4-inch-longer, 3.1-inch-wider coupe with a lower, more athletic stance.

Fortunately, the TT's beauty isn't just skin-deep. To cut down on curb chub, the 2007 TT has a version of Audi's space frame, this one a blend of 69-percent aluminum, 31-percent steel rather than all aluminum as on the A8. Curb weight drops 150 pounds compared to the '06 TT 3.2; and Audi notes that the frame's steel components are concentrated in the rear of the car to balance the weight distribution.

Additionally, all TTs are fitted with a more sophisticated multilink rear suspension. As an option, Audi will offer an adaptive damping system with magnetic shock absorbers. It's similar to the Magnetic Ride Control setup on the Chevrolet Corvette.

Engine choices look good, too. In place of the old 1.8Ts, there's the 2.0T, a direct-injected, turbocharged four-cylinder with 200 hp and an amazingly flat torque band. For those who want a six, last year's 250-hp, 3.2-liter V6 makes an encore, but this time you can get it with a true manual gearbox, a six-speed unit that's also standard with the four. Either engine is also available with Audi's dual-clutch DSG transmission, which does a convincing impression of both an automatic and a manual.

Four-cylinder models are front-drivers, while quattro all-wheel drive is standard with the V6. Expect a 0-60-mph time of about 5.7 seconds on the V6 model.