Audi TT Roadster
After eight years of being on the market, Audi’s TT sports car is still fresh. It’s a timeless and ever-fashionable vehicle, achieving a longevity that few other car designs can hold claim to. But, like all good things, change is eventually necessary. No longer is the TT just a Golf clad in appealing clothes; it’s been transformed into a unique vehicle built on the same platform as the new A5.
The headlamps, grille and chiselled shape of the front bumpers give the new TT a highly aggressive, less feminine look. Instead of being a traditional three-door hatchback, Audi stuck to the slinky coupé shape with big, plumped wheel arches, a style that it has ever so carefully preserved for the second generation. Unlike the current car, you will notice that the new TT doesn’t have a rear spoiler – at least one that’s visible when the car is still. The previous generation’s fixed wing, introduced to reduce rear-end lift at high speed, is longer. It was added in the early days when a number of the early models literally flipped at high speed on German autobahns. The spoiler has been replaced by a hydraulically operated one that raises at 75 mph, akin to the one you might find on a Porsche Boxster or Cayman.
The new TT is available in two engine sizes. The four-cylinder turbo engine, with the abbreviation TFSI, outputs 147 kilowatts and takes the car from 0 to 100km in 6.3 seconds. Hang on though as this baby is front-wheel drive only and the torque steer is pronounced but far better than the previous model. The 3.2l V6, however, is all-wheel drive, and it would be dangerous if it wasn’t. The 184kW of power propel the car to 100km in only 5.7 seconds.
Inside, the TT’s designers have swapped out some of the originals for greater driver focus. While the trademark milled aluminium twist vents are still present, the driving environment is much more like a racing car. Unfortunately, the famous padded spars and embossed aluminium stereo cover plate are gone, but they’re replaced with functional furnishings that include a new and improved version of Audi’s MMI-plus infotainment interface that includes easier to use menus.
Meanwhile, the TT is as practical as before. It continues to bear a four-seat classification, though with the fast roofline preserved, headroom for the rear two passengers isn’t particularly generous. With the seats folded down you have plenty of boot space, enough for a couple of large suitcases when you need to escape that nagging partner or have a romantic getaway.
It is always hard for a car maker to create something even more beautiful and functional when you have set the bar high, but Audi has managed to do this perfectly with the new TT.
Auto facts
Engines: 2.0L TFSI 4 petrol, 3.2L V6 petrol
Transmissions: six-speed manual, six-speed automatic
Price: $68,900-$88,900
