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No doubt, the 2008 Audi TT is a beautiful sports car, sleek and aerodynamic, with an aggressive snout that echoes the style of Audi’s supercar, the mid-engine R8.

Yet something has been lost. The original 2000 TT created a stir when it arrived with a uniquely sculpted shape that seemed stunningly modern while recalling the look of classic race cars.

TT became as much a fashion statement as a sports car, which could be why the restyled 2008 was given a more macho spin. Many of the styling cues are still there, but there’s nowhere near the buzz among sports-car enthusiasts that accompanied the first TT coupe.

The interior also has been toned down, becoming more comfortable and accommodating but without the edgy details of the original.

But let’s not dwell on the past.

The new TT is a wonderful craft that again attests to Audi’s mastery of building cars with character. What it retains from the original TT is the laser-sharp handling and that indefinable quality that makes a car just plain fun to drive. And the look is great, even if it’s not groundbreaking,

The TT that I drove was a base-model coupe with front-wheel drive and a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The stepped-up version has a 3.2-liter V-6 with Quattro all-wheel drive.

There’s nothing wrong with the base model, which is lighter (and cheaper) than the Quattro model. The turbo engine provides plenty of spark, with only an occasional front-drive wheel spin that would be mitigated by Quattro.

My only real gripe is that the test car came with an automatic transmission. It’s a “double-clutch” automatic, enhanced with manual shifter paddles.

I’m of the old school, which contends that appreciation of a cool sports car requires stick shift to maximize engagement and control.

Audi TT

Vehicle type: Two-passenger, two-door coupe, front-wheel drive.

Engine: 2-liter turbocharged in-line four, 200 horsepower at 5,100 rpm, 207 pound-feet torque at 1,800 rpm.

Transmission: Six-speed automatic.

Wheelbase: 97.2 inches.

Overall length: 164.5 inches.

Curb weight: 2,965 pounds.

EPA rating: 23 city, 31 highway.

Highs: Nimble handling, updated styling, engine response.

Lows: Light steering, conventional interior, saddled with automatic transmission.

PRICING

Base price: $34,800.

Price as tested: $38,470.

OPTIONS

* Premium package, with leather multi-

function steering wheel, Homelink, power and heated seats, Rain and Light Sensor, audio upgrade with six-disc CD, $2,150.

* 18-inch alloy wheels and performance tires, $800.

* Shipping, $720.

THE LOWDOWN

Performance: The 2-liter turbo four feels stronger than the advertised 200 horsepower, with sharp off-the-line acceleration due to its low-rpm torque. When I drove the turbo four and the V-6 versions of the previous TT, I was hard-pressed as to which one’s performance I liked better.

The six-speed automatic is a quick-shifting unit that’s sometimes harsh in upshifts and slightly lagging in downshifts. The steering-wheel-mounted shifter paddles allow manual shifting, Formula 1 style.

Drivability: Audi’s typical smooth, linear handling allows TT to feel relaxed and confident even at high cornering speeds. The coupe is nimble and maneuverable, changing direction in a snap.

The “electromechanical” steering is very responsive, though too light to the touch.

The suspension is resilient, comfortably absorbing road imperfections while holding firm and solid in turns. It’s enhanced with electronic stabilization, anti-slip regulation and antilock brakes.

Styling: An aggressive update that loses much of the cuteness of the original, but also loses its unconventional style. TT comes as a convertible, though I prefer the look of the coupe’s fastback roofline.

Interior: Roomy and comfortable with supportive seats and nicely set up switches and gauges. But the interior feels downright conventional compared with the modernistic design in the original TT.

Bottom line: Audi TT remains a handsome and desirable sports car, with a price that undercuts its European competitors.