(autoinsidernews) - Audi unveiled its all-new 2008 TT Roadster at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Audi made a conscious decision to stick with a soft-top instead of a retractable hard top configuration, as the automaker feels the soft top concept fits in perfectly with the philosophy of puristic open-top motoring and also offers a number of benefits over a folding steel hard top, reports Trend.
Audi incorporated steel and aluminum reinforcements in the top's structure, as well as a large glass rear window for visibility. The top has a very lightweight construction, not only reducing the overall weight, but also lowering the TT's center of gravity. With the new Z-fold, the front section of the roof lies on top of the cloth like a cover, and lies flush with the body, which eliminates the need for a tonneau cover. The soft top is available in the colors black and dark grey.
The TT Roadster 3.2 quattro comes with a standard electrohydraulically powered soft top, which is also an option for the 2.0 TFSI. This power soft top opens and closes in just 12 seconds at the push of a button, and can be operated at speeds of up to 30 mph. Audi also is using the same chrome hoops to protect occupants in case of a rollover.
The new TT Roadster will be available with a 200hp 2.0T FSI engine or a 250hp 3.2L V6 engine. 2.0T models have Audi's revolutionary six-speed S tronic transmission, while 3.2 models can be ordered with a six-speed manual or the six-speed S tronic transmission. The 3.2 models come standard with quattro all-wheel drive.
The 2008 Audi TT Roadster will be available in the U.S. in spring of 2007.