#02#Audi shook the world when it revealed the original TT concept. It was the latest in a line of daring concepts and hung on the coattails of Porsche's Boxster. Such was the fervour around its appearance that Audi put it into production almost unchanged. Overnight, Audi's TT was a massive success for the brand. A style icon for the masses during its time, it sold in huge numbers and was the car to be seen in for quite almost a generation of coupés.
It was the first car that truly demonstrated Audi's new found mastery of interior design and quality as well as a quite unexpected exterior flair and drama almost out of character for the brand, in terms of production cars at least. Unfortunately, it fell some way short of driving pleasure and it was mainly style that sold the car. The game has moved on since the TT's inception; cars such as the
Nissan 350Z and
Mazda RX-8 have taken the TT on, not only at its own game in terms of style, but decisively when it comes to dynamics.
The new Audi TT is aimed at fighting back against these threats. Needless to say it brings the TT right up to date, reducing the current model to a dated and bulbous shadow of its former self. The new car takes cues from many of Audi's recent concepts and cuts a markedly different shape to that of its predecessor. Changes are evident everywhere, but most particularly forward of the cabin where the rounded front end is replaced by rakish lines, and the profile that shows a real shift of the bulk of proportion towards the rear. It looks very fresh and modern and makes the competition look a little old and clumsy.
On the inside, things are more familiar in layout and execution. It's still very much an occasional 2+2. I'm 5-foot 10 and sit relatively close to the wheel, but only a young child would be able to make use of the rear seat behind me without a compromised driving position, and then only for a while. In reality it's more of a 2+1. I wouldn't be surprised to see versions with the rear seats deleted in the future. Practicality is boosted however, by good hatch access and fold away rear seats, but it lags behind rivals like the RX-8.
Interior style is similar to the
outgoing car's; ironically it suffers a little for it as, despite the fact it's a quality execution, it looks familiar and isn't as striking as the predecessor's was when it was launched. It's still very pleasant though and remains the paragon of clarity and ease of use combined with style and class; it's a very nice place to be. Ensconced in a comfortable and supportive leather bucket seat positioned low in the cabin one enjoys good visibility out of the car. The lovely steering wheel could do with a wider range of adjustment to offer the perfect driving position, but is a joy to hold.
#p##02#
On the road, the TT feels very much like a
Golf GTi; somewhat unsurprisingly given they share many components. The two-litre turbocharged unit is lifted straight from the GTi, offering the same 197bhp output with strong low-speed and mid-range torque. Only a droning exhaust note marred the impression slightly. Our test car also featured the excellent DSG transmission (actually now called 'S tronic'), which suits the TT's dual personas of relaxed cruiser and back road thriller; an ability enhanced by switchable sports suspension.
It doesn't take long to get into the routine of leaving the 'box to do its own shifting and the soft suspension soak up urban road irregularities around town as adeptly as the appearance soaks up admiring glances. The TT really suits this environment; it always has. The new, and more welcome, change comes once you're out of town. Push the lever left and make shifts via the paddles, then engage the stiffer sports suspension and the TT becomes a very adept cross-country machine.
The basic chassis is very good, offering plenty of grip, poise and body control. Turn in is sharp and the line through the corner is nicely adjustable on the throttle. It is much more fun than the old car, which frustrated through its then-typical Audi handling of competency with little or no involvement. The new TT is much less sterile, much more fun and engaging and is all the better for it. It will be interesting to try the four-wheel drive V6 model later in the year to see whether it has been transformed as well.
The latest TT proves at least two things; firstly, that the sublime
Audi RS4 wasn't a fluke and Audi is, at last, focusing on the driving experience as well as the stylistic factors. Secondly, that the Golf GTi is a very good car indeed, especially considering it costs around £5,000 less then the TT. This is a key issue, in that as a buyer, style and image must be the most important criteria of the basis for purchase. Otherwise the Golf's lower price, increased practicality and almost identical dynamics severely undermine the TT's case.
#p##03#
Putting this to one side, it's hard to deny the success of the new Audi TT. At a stroke it drags the model into the here-and-now and puts the TT back to the top of the coupé class on the key parameter for buyers - style. This is no big surprise, as the previous model did that as well. The main difference here is that the TT can compete as a driving machine as well. It may be front-wheel drive in this guise, but the dynamics don't lag behind those of its rear-wheel drive competition, certainly not noticeably, unlike the car it replaces.
2007 Audi TT Coupé range overview
- Audi TT Coupé 2.0 TFSI 200 PS 6-speed: £24,625
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Audi TT Coupé 2.0 TFSI 200 PS S tronic: £26,025
- Audi TT Coupé 3.2 quattro 250 PS 6 speed: £29,285
- Audi TT Coupé 3.2 quattro 250 PS S tronic: £30,665
