- Editor:
- New Car Test Drive
- Price As Tested:
- $47,525
“Unique sports car with all-wheel drive, Bauhaus styling.”
Any of Audi's four TT models is fun to drive. The scoot built into these cars definitely lives up to expectations established by their racy looks and interiors. The TTS comes closest to what automobile enthusiasts might call classic sports-car feel.
Audi has long been a leader in all-wheel-drive technology, and its quattro package works as well as any AWD system available. In recent years, the company has moved quattro's standard front wheel/rear wheel power distribution more toward the rear, and that's evident in the TT. The extra bit of power directed to the rear wheels in most driving circumstances gives the TT more of a rear-drive, sports-car feel. Still, the quattro system automatically shifts power front to rear to optimize overall traction, and that makes the TT a great sporty car for those who live where the weather turns very wet, slushy or snowy.
TT buyers should be wary for winter driving, however. All models now come standard with summer-type performance tires. We highly recommend a set of winter tires for those in the Snow Belt, ideally mounted on a second set of wheels.
All TTs offer sharp handling. The standard models have a bit of body lean during hard cornering, but still grip the road well. They are stable at all speeds, and perfectly willing to be tossed into tight corners. Steering is quick, predictable, and direct. At the limits, however, in truly aggressive driving, the standard TT can reach the distinction between a sporty car and a pure sports car. The TT has a significant front weight bias, meaning most of its weight rests over the front tires. It has a slight tendency toward plowing its nose, as if the front tires are sliding as it turns. This is actually very safe behavior, but it's what expert drivers expect more in a typical family sedan than a pure sports car.
The TT also has a comfortable ride. Movement of the standard 18-inch wheels soaks up small bumps nicely, though very sharp irregularities can occasionally jolt passengers. In normal cruising, the cabin is quiet for a sports car. Tire noise can become pronounced on rough surfaces, but wind noise is well-checked. There's a sporty, growling exhaust note but its something most TT buyers will relish. And the TT roadster is one solid convertible, with almost no windshield flex or cowl shake.
The standard TT's engine/transmission pairing is responsive, and acceleration is quick. While its engine is smaller than some might expect in a performance car, the TT's 2.0-liter four-cylinder is turbocharged. It makes a lot of horsepower (200 hp) and torque (207 pound-feet) for its size, and the car is relatively light. Audi says the 2.0T can launch the TT coupe from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and the roadster in 6.2 seconds. Yet thanks to the engine's overall efficiency, both cars are rated at 29 mpg Highway, according to the EPA.
The 2.0T engine has little turbo lag, making it quick from a stop and responsive at speed. It runs out of steam above 6000 rpm, though, so it's best to shift before that point. No problem there. Audi's six-speed S-tronic DSG transmission allows manual shifting (via steering wheel paddles or the shift lever) that's as precise and immediate as a conventional manual transmission with a clutch pedal. The DSG will hold whichever gear the driver selects in almost all circumstances. Yet it will also work exactly like a full automatic. As an automatic, it shifts quickly and without a jolt. The automatic Sport mode holds lower gears longer to keep more accessible power on tap.
The TTS models feature an uprated version of the 2.0-liter engine. Modifications include revisions to the cylinder head, connecting rods, pistons, turbocharger, fuel injection system and exhaust system. The result is even more horsepower (265 hp) and torque (258 pound-feet). The TTS coupe will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, breaking the five-second threshold that defines elite performance cars. Yet it still maintains that 29 mpg EPA Highway rating. It's a remarkable combination of performance and efficiency.
Handling is even sharper with the TTS, thanks to firmer springs. Yet fide quality is not seriously compromised, because the TTS comes standard with Audi Magnetic Ride suspension. AMR utilizes a fluid in all four shocks that, when subjected to an electric charge, changes the shock's damping characteristics from comfort oriented to firm and sporty. The process is automatic, based on both road surface and how aggressively the TTS is driven.
The TT's brakes did not fade in the face of aggressive driving, and maintained a consistent feel when the brake rotors got very hot. Audi's electronic stability control system doesn't intrude too soon, allowing some slip without prematurely cutting the throttle. With the Audi Magnetic Ride Suspension, the electronic stability control is programmed to give the driver even more leeway.