Audi TT
TT Coupé
The new TT has been a long time coming but it's finally here, longer, wider, higher, faster and to applause all round by the national motoring press. Is it a better car than out-going model though? Well I (never being one to go with the crowd) hated the previous TT with the same passion I have on reserve for Jude Law, should he ever come knocking on my door having seen the gay light and wanting to be helped gently and sweatily on the road to being a fully fledged homo. The old model in my opinion was an ugly cramped pain-in-the-arse-to-drive fairly unstable biscuit tin with about as much driver appeal as a suicide machine without the morphine (I didn't ever drive the 3.2 only ever the entry model).
However the new one, well damn it I'm going to have to sort of run with the herd! It looks stunning and really turns heads it still has an ageless appeal and looks like it's straight out of i-robot. One new feature that not only ups the cool points but also improves the overall handling and grip over the old model is the speed sensitive retractable rear spoiler that fully deploys at higher speeds, helping the new TT stick to the road and cling to bends under more "adventurous" driving.
Inside it's welcomingly less retro than the old model and a far more grownup "Audi" dash and switchgear layout awaits you, then there's the sound system which is superb and really matches the image of the car well. The 2.0 TFSI is well equipped with full leather interior and 6sp Manual box as standard and already looking as though it will be the most popular of the two models. The range topping 3.2 Quattro also comes with 18" special alloys, Audi's amazing Quattro four wheel drive (the only car in it's class to offer four wheel drive), twin exhausts (one either side instead of both to the left as with the TFSI) chrome detail front lights, darker rear lights, upgraded leather and bigger disc brakes front and rear.
The 250bhp 3.2 model is quick with 0-62 in 5.7secs (s-tronic gearbox), a lot owing to it's hybrid aluminium space frame that makes it the lightest car of all the compact coupes in the market. So how does it stack up against the competition? Well the 3.2 Quattro is better equipped like for like (that four wheel drive as standard is going to hurt the competition!!) and it's over 2k cheaper than both the Z4 3.0 and the Merc SLK 280, much the same performance and I think it wipes the floor looks wise with both of them
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TT Roadster
Whether it's due to the lack of roof or because it arrived in a stunning Sahara grey. I'd like to think that the most impressive thing about the new Audi 1.8 TFSI is that if I didn't know how big the engine was, I'd be telling you how great Audi's new 2.0 litre turbo engine performs. The new 1.8 is the perfect example to prove that size really doesn't matter.
Styling hasn't changed at all and the roadster has always looked good whether the hood is up or down. The model tested was an entry level, with a few added extras, the Sat Nav, Audi media manager and upgraded leather to name but a few. Other than these few essential extras, the entry level TT is an impressive looking car, the Sahara grey finish turned heads and worked well with the deep olive green hood, a combination very few could pull off, the only thing missing was those signature led strips underneath the lights. Interior styling is just as expected with any Audi, high quality finishes in black complete with the most comfortable suede and leather seats, a flat bottom sports steering wheel as standard and lovely little aluminium laser detailing.
Performance is key to the TT, certainly a selling feature and something to impress the boys at the weekend. From turning the key the 1.8 is silent, having me double check it was running on a couple of occasions. Some complained that it had no character, however, I thought it gave it a sly advantage, especially when you put your foot down to hit 62mph in a quick 7.4 seconds, showing off your rear to all the competition. Handling better than rent on all fours the TT is certainly capable, although without the spoiler up at higher speeds, it can feel a little wooly at times.
One feature I am particularly fond of is the integrated wind deflector that is operated by a simple switch, no pulling over to fix it in place, and being able to convert the hood up to about 25mph is such a boast. Feel safe in the knowledge looking sexy in this car isn't hard to do. Talking about taking the top off, the wind deflector is maybe a little too far back however does make a difference; just make sure the hair products are stored in the cavernous storage unit between the seats.
I really enjoyed driving the roadster and I would have one tomorrow, maybe one contention would be price but for a premium roadster you have to expect to pay the money. There is nothing better than the feeling of opening that hood on a sunny day, cranking up the stereo and singing your heart out to glee, which is exactly what I spent the last day doing (just maybe the Oracle shopping centre multi-story car park wasn't the place for it)
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TT RS
You have to wonder exactly what Audi know that most of the other motoring manufacturers don't. Just when you thought the Audi model line-up couldn't get any better (or madder) here comes the TT RS. More powerful than any TT before it, it's definitely an extreme TT. Its actually one of the most powerful cars in the sector, only the Mercedes SLK 55 AMG has slightly more bhp. I got the chance to test drive this monster both in Coupé and Convertible versions, to say neither disappointed would be an understatement.
So how's best to describe the look of the newest TT on the block? For those of you that have ever played the 'Need For Speed - Undercover' computer game, you've probably created this monster yourself in the game, by 'modding 'the hell out of a regular TT lol. For those of you that haven't played the game (one of the best driving games in the world!); imagine big tail-end spoiler, side skirts to the floor and front and rear bumpers that are more aggressive than drag queen in a bad mood. You can see from a mile off this is no ordinary run-of-the-mill TT; this ones got more muscle than your average steroid-popping gym bunny, a big attitude and an even bigger body kit to match. It's also got colossal performance and handling to match its 'are you talking to me' looks. It's also got one of the best 6-speed manual gearboxes I've ever used, the short-shift ratios, and mean supercar-esque lightening changes up and down the box, helping harness all that power.
So how have Audi managed to get 337bhp and a 0-62mph time of 4.6 seconds out of a 2.5L turbocharged engine? Without getting too technical! Firstly they chopped a V8 engine in half and created an all new and unique 5 cylinder engine, then they found a turbocharger lying around and bolted that on to it, then they put the engine in the wrong way round! That's right instead of the engine being mounted facing front on; the TT RS's is mounted running from side to side. So if an arse about face engine wasn't enough, Audi then tuned it up to deliver performance and handing more akin to the TT's big brother the R8. For good measure, and to ensure you can use all that power, the RS comes as standard with Audi's magnificent Quattro permanent four-wheel-drive system. This ensures that pressing the sport button and planting your foot into the shag pile, doesn't sit you kissing trees on the first corner you encounter.
Now the sport button does many different things, in my case; rarely get clicked off! By activating the sport button the driving dynamics of the already insane two door changes significantly. You get a more direct throttle response, and at the same time, activate the exhaust system flaps, giving you a beefy and richer exhaust note. This also works alongside the ESP stability control. Audi have put some thought into driving characteristics. Rather than just a simple 'on/off' system, the ESP has a two stage de-activation. Press 'Sport' and the ESP system disables the ASR traction control and raises the ESP control to a higher threshold so intervention takes place later, giving you a more thrilling drive and putting you more in control of the car. The second stage totally disables the ESP completely, which means its just you, the car and the road (hopefully not including 'the hedge, the tree, the ditch, the A&E, the morgue').
This is a car that's all about performance and handling so the RS team have tuned just about everything up to ensure it doesn't disappoint, and it doesn't. They've also lowered the TT RS suspension for a meatier ride, and a beefier sporty profile.
To drive it's a dream (a wet one), it clings to the road like Jimmy Carr to old jokes, cornering is just breathtaking. I really pushed the little Audi on my test and I couldn't make it faultier from its poised handling. I even partook in a bit of a race with Vikki Butler-Henderson (one of the best female drivers in Europe), who happened to be on the launch as well. Granted due to her immense driving skills every now and then she lost in me corners and on twisting rain soaked country roads, but I caught her up (never passed her lol) and truly pushed the TT RS to its limits. Everything about the TT RS is right, drive it hard and it loves every minute, but it's also practical and spacious enough to use as an everyday car. So whether you're hacking round a track or pop down to the shops and fitting your weeks shopping in the boot, you'll be grinning from ear to ear.
I have to say I'm so impressed with the TT RS, yes the Coupé starts at just under forty three grand and the Convertible at just under forty five, but it's worth every penny. If you want one, get ordering it now, as over half of this year's stock is already sold. Audi are only making 600 of these little monsters between now and 2010, ensuring that this will remain a sought after motor for years to come.