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Audi TT, now it is a driver's car
Such has been the pace of Audi’s new model programme in recent months that
the German manufacturer has seen its UK sales continue to grow. A
series of strong new models have undoubtedly helped them to achieve
this remarkable growth – Q7, TT, the R8 and the A5.. This time it
is the turn of the new Audi TT for the road test spotlight.
The old Audi TT had been in production for seven years, yet it still looked a remarkably fresh design. Despite that, there was almost a sense of disappointment when the new model was unveiled last year. It is totally new from the ground up, but it looked almost like the facelift that the old TT never had.
The new TT even feels quite like its predecessor on first acquaintance. I still remember, seven years ago on the Audi motor show stand, how the first TT felt quite enclosed, compared to the more glassy designs all around. The new model is similar, with its shallow windows and low, slightly beetle-browed roof.
Combine this with a low, sporting driving position and you feel very much part of this car. Although you are enveloped, there is nothing cramped about the space in the front seats. The rear seats, on the other hand are really only suitable for children or, at a push (perhaps literally), very agile, but compact adults.
Load space under the rear tailgate is surprisingly good with some useful underfloor storage space. However, any load you carry has to be lifted up and over the rear.
My test car was the Audi TT 2.0T FSI. This is the two-wheel-drive version. If you want the four-wheel-drive version (and almost twice the UK average opt for four wheel drive in this area) then you need to go for the bigger 3.2 litre Quattro model.
Don’t get the impression that you will be missing out hugely on performance if you go with the 2.0T. That letter ‘T’ stands for turbo and it packs 197 bhp. This is also classic example of how well turbocharger technology has matured. This unit actually delivers its power very smoothly even from low revs.
The test car also had the £1,400 S-tronic semi automatic gearbox, which, unlike most auto boxes, is actually fractionally quicker than the manual, shaving two tenths of second off the 0-60 time down to take just 6.4 seconds.
It was unfortunate for the TT that I took over its keys just after returning a Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30. Coming from the same Volkswagen Group stable, it has a very similar but more highly tuned 2.0T engine. The DSG gearbox on the Golf also seemed to be slightly more intuitive about what gear to select.
But then, this is not meant to be such a performance-focussed machine. The TT should be an easy car to live with and it is. You can leave it automatic for a more relaxed style. You can select the sports setting on the transmission which makes it much more high revving and responsive. Or, you can select your own ratios using the selector or the steering wheel paddles.
The test car also had the latest high-tech option to further tune the car to your driving mood. The £1,150 magnetic dampers are filled with oil that contains microscopic magnetic particles. When a charge is applied, these particles line up across the flow of oil, stiffening the dampers.
The system responds to road conditions and your driving style automatically. But you can also select a sports setting. Although noticeably firmer, the ride remains remarkably comfortable and compliant.
Such electronic trickery undoubtedly helps the TT’s composure on twisty country roads. But, more important is the more sophisticated design of the new Audi TT. Around half its body weight has been shed, by judicious use of aluminium and the new car is more finely balanced. The result is strong grip, precise steering and virtually no body roll.
Again this has been achieved with no loss of practicality, because the steering is remains light enough to make searching for elusive parking places in the centre of Aberdeen less of a chore.
The new Audi TT is therefore a more convincing sports car than its predecessor. Yet it remains utterly practical for someone who wants a 2+2 prestige sports car for everyday use.
Prices for the Audi TT 2.0T FSI start at £24,625. Like its predecessor, that’s quite keen for a prestige sports coupe. However, the options list is rather tempting and, with its S-tronic transmission, those amazing magnetic dampers and the Napa leather upholstery, plus other attractive items, the test car’s price ended up a little over £30,000.
The old Audi TT had been in production for seven years, yet it still looked a remarkably fresh design. Despite that, there was almost a sense of disappointment when the new model was unveiled last year. It is totally new from the ground up, but it looked almost like the facelift that the old TT never had.
The new TT even feels quite like its predecessor on first acquaintance. I still remember, seven years ago on the Audi motor show stand, how the first TT felt quite enclosed, compared to the more glassy designs all around. The new model is similar, with its shallow windows and low, slightly beetle-browed roof.
Combine this with a low, sporting driving position and you feel very much part of this car. Although you are enveloped, there is nothing cramped about the space in the front seats. The rear seats, on the other hand are really only suitable for children or, at a push (perhaps literally), very agile, but compact adults.
Load space under the rear tailgate is surprisingly good with some useful underfloor storage space. However, any load you carry has to be lifted up and over the rear.
My test car was the Audi TT 2.0T FSI. This is the two-wheel-drive version. If you want the four-wheel-drive version (and almost twice the UK average opt for four wheel drive in this area) then you need to go for the bigger 3.2 litre Quattro model.
Don’t get the impression that you will be missing out hugely on performance if you go with the 2.0T. That letter ‘T’ stands for turbo and it packs 197 bhp. This is also classic example of how well turbocharger technology has matured. This unit actually delivers its power very smoothly even from low revs.
The test car also had the £1,400 S-tronic semi automatic gearbox, which, unlike most auto boxes, is actually fractionally quicker than the manual, shaving two tenths of second off the 0-60 time down to take just 6.4 seconds.
It was unfortunate for the TT that I took over its keys just after returning a Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30. Coming from the same Volkswagen Group stable, it has a very similar but more highly tuned 2.0T engine. The DSG gearbox on the Golf also seemed to be slightly more intuitive about what gear to select.
But then, this is not meant to be such a performance-focussed machine. The TT should be an easy car to live with and it is. You can leave it automatic for a more relaxed style. You can select the sports setting on the transmission which makes it much more high revving and responsive. Or, you can select your own ratios using the selector or the steering wheel paddles.
The test car also had the latest high-tech option to further tune the car to your driving mood. The £1,150 magnetic dampers are filled with oil that contains microscopic magnetic particles. When a charge is applied, these particles line up across the flow of oil, stiffening the dampers.
The system responds to road conditions and your driving style automatically. But you can also select a sports setting. Although noticeably firmer, the ride remains remarkably comfortable and compliant.
Such electronic trickery undoubtedly helps the TT’s composure on twisty country roads. But, more important is the more sophisticated design of the new Audi TT. Around half its body weight has been shed, by judicious use of aluminium and the new car is more finely balanced. The result is strong grip, precise steering and virtually no body roll.
Again this has been achieved with no loss of practicality, because the steering is remains light enough to make searching for elusive parking places in the centre of Aberdeen less of a chore.
The new Audi TT is therefore a more convincing sports car than its predecessor. Yet it remains utterly practical for someone who wants a 2+2 prestige sports car for everyday use.
Prices for the Audi TT 2.0T FSI start at £24,625. Like its predecessor, that’s quite keen for a prestige sports coupe. However, the options list is rather tempting and, with its S-tronic transmission, those amazing magnetic dampers and the Napa leather upholstery, plus other attractive items, the test car’s price ended up a little over £30,000.
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