The first time I ever test drove an Audi TT was back in 2006 – just before the manufacturer unveiled the second generation model. I brought it around the back and country roads surrounding Belfast. I can remember at the time being impressed by its exterior style, apart from that though the experience didn’t exactly blow me away. Perhaps I had thought about it too much before I sat in. This week however I got to trial a much more attractive package in the most recent generation Audi TT.
The third generation TT takes the best bits from the previous two generations and moulds them together to give us a stunning car, which is completely up-to-date for the current car market. Sure the price tag is high, but Audi are offering more now than ever before with their latest TT. It offers more in terms of kit than its rivals the Volkswagen Scirocco and the Peugeot RCZ, especially in terms of interior comfort.
Once inside the TT you will be entirely impressed by Audi’s Virtual Cockpit. The rev counter and speedometer sit where they should, but impressively it’s in the odometer where you will also find your SATNAV, telephone systems, tyre pressure indicators, radio controls, etc.- most of which can be controlled by the controls in front of the centre armrest. The Leather Alcantara upholstery S-Line Seats are extremely comfortable and everything is laid out immaculately.
My test car was the 2.0TDI S-Line trim. The Nano grey metallic colour looks great and adds to the strong look of the vehicle. Adding to the powerful stance of the new TT is the new 3D grille. The four rings on the bonnet and the sporty horizontal lines offer this car a tougher stance than before. Other nice touches include the 18" Cast Aluminium wheels and I’m quiet taken by the aluminium fuel cap.
The 2.0TDI engine in the TT I was driving offers 184bhp and will give you 0-100km/h in just 7.1 seconds with torque of 380Nm between 1750 and 3250 rpm. Audi tells us that the top speed from this machine is 241 km/h. If these stats fail to impress you it is also available with a TFSI petrol engine which will knock about a second off the 0-100km/h figure above.
This particular car throws up a few surprises too. To tax you will be paying only €190 per annum at today’s tax rates because it falls into tax band A3 and burns 100 g/km of CO2. One “on-paper” figure I can’t confirm though is the combined fuel consumption of 4.2 litres per 100km (67.3 mpg in old money). Somehow I doubt any potential owners of this type of car will be driving that economically.
This car is more comfortable than ever on long journeys. Audi’s progressive steering makes it feel more precise too. The sports suspension is firm and brilliant on smooth roads, a few bumps can be felt on rougher surfaces, but this wouldn’t majorly turn me off.
As can be expected the Audi TT comes with a high price tag, which may make it less attractive than the Peugeot RCZ or the Volkswagen Scirocco. The starting price of the TT range is €47,550. The model I was driving (with options) comes in at a price tag of €51,050. Audi tells us that the TT can be purchased on PCP finance with rates starting from €499 per month. This is a premium car, with a premium price.
