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AUDI TT ROADSTER DEBUTS AT GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
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It may surprise you to learn that there is currently only one production four-wheel-drive open-top car in the world - the Lamborghini Diablo. Well, here's another. The Audi TT coupe has had its roof chopped off to produce an even more desirable driver's car. As with the coupe, the shape is true to the original TTS concept car. The interior is even better! We will get the open-topped version in the UK towards the end of this year. It will certainly be worth waiting for.
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Photograph provided by Audi UK
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Like its fixed head counterpart, the new roadster will be available in two versions. Both are powered by 1.8-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged engines - one has 180bhp (five-speed manual gearbox), the range topper has 225bhp, transmitted through a six-speed gearbox. A "Tiptronic"-style gearbox is certainly a possibility, but has yet to be confirmed. Performance is on a par with the coupe too. Top speeds are 139mph and 147mph respectively (manufacturer's figures). Not to be attempted after a trip to the hairdressers! The road-holding of the car was never to be doubted as it contains the latest Quattro drive technology, but an open-topped car is obviously subject to losses in rigidity. Audi have remedied this by reinforcing the sills and the joints between the A-pillar and the floor assembly. That should be ample. In a roll, occupants will be protected by the reinforced windscreen frame and the stylish hoops behind the seats. Despite these modifications the weight has been kept down to only 1310kg. Of course, this can not really be likened to cars such as the feather-weight Lotus Elise. That car is stripped out and a little raw. The TT, however is luxurious and, as you would expect from Audi, very refined.
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Photograph provided by Audi UK
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Driver and front passenger airbags are fitted as standard. The seat backs also have integrated side-airbags to protect the occupants in a side-on collision. On the styling front, the roadster will be available with unique interior options, such as the baseball glove-like leather stitching - also featured in the original concept car. The folding roof has a heated glass rear window and folds out of sight beneath an integrated metal cover. The order books are already filling up, so order yours now...
S.O'
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Sensational New Lotus
Lotus finally gives the superb Elise the power that the chassis has been crying out for. The new model, known as the Elise 111S features the Rover VVC engine for the first time. The car has subtle styling changes such as an extra rear spoiler, 6-spoke alloy wheels, different colour options and a removable hard-top as standard. The new model will do more than 130mph (with roof in place) and costs �26,590 in the UK. We will be bringing you a complete review of the Geneva Show very soon - including pictures.
S.O'
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Photograph provided by