So much style and substance, too
The TT gets its fair share of mocking from people who like to talk about hairdressers cars and other such clichés. And it certainly is a stylish set of wheels. But it would never have been so enduringly popular without being able to walk the walk, too and however fast you want to go, its a car thatll deliver the goods.
Headline equipment is the same across the TT range; all models get leather, climate and alloy wheels, but cruise, Bluetooth and parking sensors are all options. The model tested here is the base-spec Sport; theres also an S-line version with xenons, lowered suspension, bigger alloys and a short-throw gearbox, as well as various bits of trim inside and out. The TTS and TT RS get the same basic kit list, too, though the top-dollar TT RS Plus does gain sat-nav as standard.
Lets start with the fact that theres a TT diesel. It uses the 2.0 TDI 170 from elsewhere in the Audi range, with four-wheel drive as standard and a very useful turn of pace combined with excellent fuel economy. Petrol models offer a choice of 1.8 and 2.0 TFSI units, the latter offering 4wd as an option and vaulting into the realms of true high-performance motoring as a result. The TTS pushes the same engine still further, while the TT RS and RS Plus use a turbocharged 2.5-litre unit which, at its fastest, would give a Ferrari something to think about.
The TTs cabin feels purposeful without sacrificing too much in the way of comfort on the altar of driver focus. At the same time, its classy without achieving any overwhelming sense of occasion. You sit low in a snug and very supportive bucket-style seat, the dash ahead of you projecting its air of craftsmanship through a blend of quality materials and unfussy design. Its reasonably practical for a sports car, too, with enough places to put your stuff up front and a decent boot that can be extended by folding down the rear seats. These are seats in name only, though good luck actually trying to fit anyone in them.
All TTs are genuinely brisk to drive, even the diesel, and the 2.0 TFSI we tested is more than capable of pinning your ears back. Its also very easy to drive gently, with the same torque as the diesel but, unbelievably, at lower revs. Thus you dont need to fall back on the gearbox unless you want to have fun, and the lusty exhaust note the engine responds with should be all the incentive you need to do just that. Steering is crisp, precise and alert, and theres no body roll to distract you in corners. At the same time, it rides less fussily than anything this agile has a right to, damping out the worst imperfections to the point where theyre no more than a distant concern.
As sports coupes go, the TT is perfectly usable as a daily driver. Its fun when you want it to be, docile when you want it to be and as cheap to run as you need it to be. The higher powered models are more expensive to buy and own but still look like great value, delivering performance to scare cars costing three times as much. Insurance costs will keep pace with how fast you want to go, but even the most brutal TT can still be proud of its fuel economy, and the less exotic models in particular are among the best on the market as holding their value.
