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The Audi TT Was More Than Just A Pretty Face — Revelations with Jason Cammisa

Autos and Vehicles

The Mk1 Audi TT wasn't actually the first of its kind. A keen observer would realize it was actually the latest in a long line of "sporty coupes" based on Volkswagen's People's Car. The TT did, however, land at a time where sporty coupes didn't sell well — so what made this one different? The hint lies right in its badge. === Visit https://JasonSentMe.com for a quote on Hagerty's Guaranteed Value® Insurance! === Panned on the surface by some enthusiasts (and journalists: hello, Jeremy Clarkson) as little more than a pretty shape grafted onto a pedestrian, front-wheel drive Volkswagen Golf, the TT was a runaway success. Historians, however, might have predicted that. After all, the Volkswagen group had done this several times before — first, perhaps with the Beetle-based Porsche 356. But certainly (and more clearly) with the hand-built VW Karmann-Ghia, which was such a massive success that the next People's Sports Car was baked into the Golf 1's production plans from day one. The Scirocco once again lasted nearly 2 decades, and sold nearly a million units. And then, the Corrado failed where those two had succeeded. Was this because the market had moved on? Or was it because the idea of a Technologieträger (a technology halo) was the wrong way to go for a Volkswagen-branded, Golf-based sports coupe... but just fine for an Audi. The TT was, after all, more than just a pretty face: it debuted many new technologies that have become standard fare across the industry: turbocharged engines, clutchpack-based all-wheel drive, and of course, dual-clutch automatic transmissions. In this AI-free documentary, veteran automotive journalist and YouTube personality Jason Cammisa takes us through the creation and success story of a design icon, the Mk1 Audi TT. From its initial sketches through the controversy surrounding its evil handling — and several unfortunate casualties that may have resulted from it. === Contact us: Suggestions and feedback - [email protected] Press inquiries - [email protected] Partnership requests - [email protected]

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vincent_keer
vincent_keer 1 month, 1 week ago

Your videos are so good. When are you going to make a regular TV show please. I miss Top Gear/Grand tour and I think you and your team are a sensational filler. But… I want MORE!

scottarc94
scottarc94 1 month, 1 week ago

Hagerty, please don’t ever lose Jason Cammisa. He’s one of the very few automotive personalities left that genuinely feels like a true enthusiast first and a presenter second. In today’s world where companies are constantly cutting back and replacing passion with corporate fluff, Jason continues to put out some of the best car content anywhere — intelligent, entertaining, fresh, and incredibly well delivered. I know I’m not the only one in the car community that feels this way. He’s a huge asset to Hagerty and to the enthusiast world as a whole.

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sallysimmons345 1 month, 1 week ago

19:49 idk I drove the TT RS or whatever the fastest one was and it handled and preformed better than a base 911

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hans-willi_kallert 1 month, 1 week ago

The TT was the first dream car I realistically set my eyes on getting. Never happened, but it's got a special place in my heart

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madeleinedelahaye639 1 month, 1 week ago

I watch all sorts of car content on YouTube but your videos are my favorite!

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silvia_garcía 1 month, 1 week ago

Hey guys. First of all, it's a huge honour for me to be featured on my favourite YouTube channel. Thank you for using my scenes. I have owned my 2000 Baseball Glove TT Roadster for a year now, and believe it or not, it's one of my favourite cars in the collection. And do know that I own an R8, B5 RS4, B7 RS4, B8 RS4, RS6, S8 etc etc. The TT has an interior that makes you go WOW in every single detail. I said it a year ago when I bought it, that this car will go up in value a lot in the near future. It's SO good, and doesn't at all deserve the hairdressers car stamp. Especially when todays automotive industry is an absolute disaster of design, split headlights and screens in interiors.

christine_woods
christine_woods 1 month, 1 week ago

My daily for the last decade has been a 77 911 and I finally got a 2002 TT to use as a commuter. It’s a real joy to drive.

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sierrahayes217 1 month, 1 week ago

My boy Alex & his father respectfully 🫡 would always work on his ... In his driveway ... Many good ride out times 💯

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kimberlyechoing26 1 month, 1 week ago

A fun walk down memory lane after living through most of this. ✌

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johnaura45 1 month, 1 week ago

I drove a gen1 TT one time back in the very early 2ks. While driving on a highway, one of the cylinders stopped working. It belonged to the owner of the company I worked at, so that made for some exciting conversations later in the day. I swear I never gave it the full beans and was gentle. But before that cylinder gave up the ghost, man what a treat on a roundabout. Great video. I love all your stuff, and your pair

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matthewpalmer720 1 month, 1 week ago

The original lines of the first series TT was a design masterpiece. Unfortunately that was quickly diluted in the later models.

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leonard_bender 1 month, 1 week ago

Top tier production in these videos, always a treat to watch even when it's not a car that I regard highly. Cars have so much history and it's a real pleasure to learn about it all!

G
graciela_morales 1 month, 1 week ago

Thank you Hagerty. And thank you Jason. For not just the story, but how you deliver it. Big fan.

abigailbrown482
abigailbrown482 1 month, 1 week ago

This is the best automotive series on YouTube.

caitlin_macdonald
caitlin_macdonald 1 month, 1 week ago

It ain't a Cammisa video without a German accent cameo

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frédérique_weiss 1 month, 1 week ago

I have a 2001 roadster. Just the base. It's a beater. But it's my beater & still an absolute blast.

judithdrift46
judithdrift46 1 month, 1 week ago

I loved the Air Jörgen print ads for the Corrado

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bertrand_charpentier 1 month, 1 week ago

I always look forward to a new episode from Jason! Always entertaining and one of my favorite auto reporters..

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suzannelloyd476 1 month, 1 week ago

As an owner of a mk1 TT 225 roadster and a 208 clk55 cabrio it's nice to see both featured in these most recent revelations 😊

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nicholas_smith 1 month, 1 week ago

that sipping tea sound effect before quoting the brits 💋