By now you should know what to expect from a 2.0 litre Audi TT but this third-generation model still has a few surprises up its sleeve.
The Audi TT coupe is a strong contender with a 2.0 TFSI engine under the bonnet. Choose front or all-wheel drive chassis, manual or S tronic transmissions and Sport or S line trims.
Even the entry-level model will get through 62mph in just 6 seconds, hit 155mph and yet it will still return almost 48mpg.
Old motoring tropes can take a long time to overcome. Take the Audi TT as an example. When it was launched back in 1998, it was criticised for being a dangerous handler. It wasn’t at all. Audi just credited its drivers with some understanding of chassis dynamics which was an altogether different mistake.
Responding to the outcry, Audi took all the edges off the TT’s handling repertoire, whereupon the car was derided for being safe and dull to drive. I guess that’s what kids these days would call a facepalm scenario.
Over the years Audi has quietly sharpened up the TT’s act. Look under the bonnet and you’ll find much the same 2.0 TFSI petrol unit you’ll find in more powerful versions of the Golf GTI, tuned in this instance to 226bhp.
The TT rides on much the same MQB chassis as the godlike GTI too and you can even get a front-wheel drive version if you want an upgrade Golf GTI coupe that’s not called a Scirocco.
This is now a seriously capable driver’s car. Both will hit a top speed of 155mph, with the manual front-wheel drive car getting to 62mph in 6.0 seconds and the S tronic twin-clutch quattro model taking a mere 5.3 seconds.
The quattro drivetrain has come in for some upgrades to increase driver involvement. By networking quattro drive with Audi drive select, the driver can adjust the operating parameters of the all-wheel-drive system to suit his or her individual requirements.
The body is lowered by 10mm in S line versions, or if the Audi magnetic ride system is fitted.
One thing’s for sure. Even if you’d never seen this car before, you’d know it was an Audi TT. Some commentators have been a little disappointed in how safe Audi has played the exterior styling and I’d count myself as one of them. It’s still a handsome car but it looks like a midlife facelift of the second-generation model more than an all-new piece of design.
The big front grille gives the car a meaner look and there are some lovely details. Pure, clean lines dominate and, seen from above, the instrument panel resembles the wing of an aircraft; the round air vents – a classic TT feature – are reminiscent of jet engines with their turbine-like design.
The vents also contain all the controls for the air conditioning system, including seat heating where applicable, temperature, direction, air distribution and air flow strength; as an option they can also house small digital displays which show the chosen setting.
A 2+2, the TT coupe gets a load area with a capacity of 305 litres, which is 13 litres more than before, and can be extended by folding the rear seat backrests forwards.
Prices kick off at £29,860 for the front-wheel drive TT 2.0 Sport coupe with a manual transmission. All versions of the TT coupe come with the MMI radio and the electromechanical parking brake.
Alongside the S sports seat with various leather and trim variants, options include hill hold assist, high-beam assist, the LED interior lighting package, front seat heating and the storage and luggage compartment package. The connectivity package features the touchpad-based MMI touch system.
The TT has always been one of those cars where, once you’d stumped up the asking price, ongoing costs were agreeably modest. This latest model continues that trend.
Even if you opt for this punchy 226bhp petrol engine, you’ll get 41.5mpg and 159g/km from the quattro model with the S tronic box.
Buyers get a three-year/60,000 mile warranty and residual values look extremely strong indeed.
Still want that Cayman?
THE FACTS
- Model: Audi TT
- Price: From £29,860
- Engine: 2.0 TFSI petrol producing 226bhp
- Performance: 0-62mph in 6.0 seconds, top speed 155mph
- Economy: 48mpg
- CO2 emissions: 137g/km
