The Audi TT range runs to nine individual variants,
including a 2.0-litre turbodiesel and the TT-RS screamer.
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The entry model is the 118kW 1.8-litre TFSi
front-wheel drive/ six-speed manual coupe at $65,450. It costs $68,950 with a
seven-speed automated manual S-Tronic transmission.
For
$70,300 you get the 125kW litre turbodiesel six-speed manual TDi quattro coupe. The six-speed
S-Tronic version is $73,800.
Front-wheel-drive and quattro coupes, with a 155kW
2.0-litre direct-injection turbocharged engine and the S-tronic six-speed
automated manual, cost $75,550 and $78,150 respectively.
The base 1.8 TFSi Roadster is $72,400. The 2.0TFSi
quattro S-tronic is $81,600.
The TT-S quattro uses a 200kW version of the 2.0-litre
four with manual or optional S-tronic gearboxes. It's priced at $98,400
for the coupe and $102,800 for the Roadster.
The TT coupe's body is a bespoke 69 per cent aluminium
spaceframe/31 per cent steet structure, so the overall weight of the base front
drive version is a lithe 1260-1280kg.
The quattro adds 80kg but it's still an athletic,
responsive, taut machine in which 155kW of power is enough to enjoy.
The 0-100km/h trip in the S-Tronic version takes just
5.6 seconds, which is pretty quick in any context.
The 2.0-litre turbo pulls with surprising ease from
idle then segues into a punchy, flexible midrange and crisp, responsive top
end.S-tronic works nicely with the 2.0-litre engine.
When you're driving the TT as it's supposed to be
driven you get smooth, rapid-fire shifts up or down.
It can be erratic and clunky in town, especially in
heavy traffic,
where it lacks the smoothness of a true automatic.
The 2.0-litre turbodiesel may sound like a weird fit
in a sports car like the TT, but with 350Nm of torque from just 1750rpm, the TT
TDi is surprisingly rapid, giving away only half a second or so to the base
petrol model.
Dynamics are delicately balanced and communicative.
The TT is a car that really talks to you.
In other Audi model lineups it's worth spending the
extra money on the quattro, but the base TT front driver is fine.
The TT also manages to avoid the heavy, leaden
steering that plagues some other Audis.
The TT-S takes performance and handling to another
level again. On a tighl road, it's every bit as capable as a Porsche Boxster or
Cayman.
A manual gearbox somehow just feels right in a car
like the TT-S.
It's immaculately smooth and fluid in action — the perfect
accompaniment to this superb sports engine.
In terms of responsiveness and tractability, l've yet
to drive a belter four-cylinder sportsler.
The $139,400 2.5-litre 250kW five-cylinder TT-RS coupe
is a cracker, too, but on the road its extra 50kW doesn't translate to a
$40,000 beller drive than the TT-S.
The TT-S and RS have adjustable magnetorheological
dampers as standard, with Normal and Sport settings.
Normal still gives you scalpel- sharp handling, with
the bonus of excellent ride comfort in this context.
In fact, the ride is sufficiently compliant to make
both TT hotrods viable GT-style long distance drives as well.
The electro-mechanical power steering is unerringly précisé and delivers good
feedback.
The pick of the TT range would be the 155kW 2.0
quattro or, if you can afford it, the 200kWTTS is worth the extra spend.
THINGSWE LIKE
✓
tight. strong body
✓
Magnetic suspension works
✓
Fit and finish quality
✓
Great drivers seat
✓
Reasonable ride comfort
THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
X S-Tronic can be
clunky and indecisive in traffic
X No spare
X Insufficient
storage forwallet, phone and other bits and pieces
SPEX (2.0TFSi
S-tronic coupe)
•
Made In Hungary
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2.0-litre four-cylinder direct- injection turbocharged petrol/ six-speed
sequential manual/fronl- wheel drive
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155kW of power at 4300-6000rpm/ 350Nm of torque at 1600-4200rpm
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0-100km/h: 5.6 seconds
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5.717100km highway; 9.917100km city; 95 octane premium unleaded; CO, émissions are
169gkm
•
Warranty: Three years/unlirnited kilométrés
•
Standard: Four airbags, stability control, automatic air. six-stack CO in
the dash. leather uphotstery, Bluetooth compatibility, cruise control, Data Dot
vehicle identification and 17- inch alloy wheels.
•
Redbook future values: 3yr: 53%; 5yr:
37%
