"Sports coupes are our dream cars. We will likely lust after a sports sedan for its blend of practicality and performance, but what we really love is the sexy seriousness of a no-frills 2-door — a car whose shape is formed for beauty and speed, not practicality. Spry fender-flared, arched-roof coupes have always been the icon for youth and the mid-life crises. For good reason, as these are the cars that will never be a practical choice, only an emotional one.
In the world of sports cars, few names are as revered as Porsche. Not just as the builder of fast, sleek coupes, but of expensive ones; the least expensive model being the Boxster. A convertible that we've always found to be a superb choice — for a convertible. Typically the Boxster has been discounted as a serious performer because of its open top. Enthusiasts have long wished it had a fixed-roof counterpart, so that it could be taken seriously as a performance car. Porsche has obliged with the sublime Cayman S and now with the Cayman, the least-expensive Porsche with a fixed roof. In contrast, Audi already has a coupe and convertible of the artfully styled TT. But it was never a Porsche competitor. Its well-rounded looks translated into well-rounded performance, as might be expected of a platform designed for front-wheel drive and featuring a nearly 60/40 weight split. Audi has worked to this and brought forth a TT with near 58/42 weight distribution and featuring full-time Quattro all-wheel drive. Combined with a new style that squares off some of those round contours, the 2008 TT has emerged as a sharper tool."
Read Article