Audi’s TT has come a long way since its original launch - and the latest Roadster and Coupe incarnations are the best yet offered.
It’s hard to believe that the first-generation TT Coupe and Roadster first debuted on our roads eight years ago, but it was indeed in 1999 that the sexy little number wowed us - to a certain extent.
In the looks department it was fantastic and the quality was excellent but the drive for those who like to, shall we say, press on a little was a tad of a disappointment - although still one of the best.
However, most of us forgave it because it was such a sweetie.
Then last autumn the latest Coupe version arrived and this time it hit all the right buttons - give it a first glance and the differences externally are initially hard to spot, but they are there and they make all the difference.
It has a longer bonnet and more sculpted sides which give it a more purposeful, and more masculine stance on the road.
In the cabin you get the quality you expect from Audi and especially for this sporty number. However, I will criticise - why pretend it will seat four when only a small child could sit comfortably in the back?
Standard equipment on the entry-level 2.0-litre Turbo FSI, which comes in at £24,625, includes 17-inch alloy wheels, six-speed manual transmission, ‘flat bottom’ leather steering wheel, aluminium interior detailing, driver’s information system, electric front windows, power-assisted steering, electronic differential lock, electronic stability programme, front sports seats, halogen headlights, leather/Alcantara upholstery and split-folding rear seat.
If you go for the 3.2 V6 quattro at £29,285 you get a little bit more, including 18-inch alloy wheels, exhaust pipes in chrome finish, exterior styling pack, fine nappa leather upholstery, heated front seats, quattro four-wheel drive and an enhanced braking system.
Where money doesn’t come into it you can add loads of extras that really make it a ‘wow’ car - my 3.2 quattro test car added up to just over £37,000 - and didn’t I know it!
Those extras included the superb Bose surround sound, the super-slick automatic ‘S tronic’ transmission, CD-ROM satellite navigation, Audi magnetic drive, extended leather package, Bluetooth mobile phone set and Zenon-plus headlights.
Now to that all-important driving experience. The 2.0-litre FSI is astounding and a great package but the 3.2 left me a little breathless.
With the automatic transmission (£1,400) fitted this was a car that begged to be treated to winding country roads, uphill climbs and exhilarating descents.
Smooth and responsive the transmission responded quickly and eagerly. Overtaking was easy with such response and when I got on to the lanes around home the car positively came alive.
The body has almost 70 per cent aluminum and the steel panels that make up the other 30 pecent are towards the back to help counterbalance the engine and gearbox.
That results in much-improved agility and body control. Steering at first seems a little light but after just a short distance you realise it is accurate.
Couple that with the quattro system and this car refuses to get skittish or just a little bit naughty around the bends - even when I was driving in all the rain we have had during the past week.
But what of the ride quality? Perhaps a little jarring at times? No. Another extra fitted to my test car which proved most useful, especially with the number of potholes on our roads in south Shropshire plus all that water, was the high-tech damping Audi Magnetic Ride.
Basically, you press a button which allows you to stiffen or soften the suspension. On top of that it reacts to road conditions and your driving style.
It has to be said that the Coupe attracts admiring looks - not mere glances - and stop for any length of time and you will find people sidling up for a closer inspection.
Park up the car and walk away and they are pressing their noses against the windows to get a peek inside!
Take the top off in the Roadster and the wolf whistles do the ego no amount of good. Yes I know they are for the car…
On our roads about now the TT Roadster is every bit as attractive as the Coupe - and that’s because designers didn’t just chop off the top, they created something on its own. In addition they resisted the temptation to make it a metal roof that folded into the boot and left it as a ragtop, retaining individuality from the Coupe, but a very sophisticated one with a one-button, electrohydraulically powered system.
It looks stunning and has the quickest opening and closing times in its class. If you pull up at lights and it starts to rain the hood will come up at the touch of a button in just 12 seconds - if they go to green before it’s finished it will carry on raising the roof until you hit 19mph. That’s plenty of time to avoid getting wet.
There is also a heated glass rear window thanks to the lighter weight. Zooming up and down the south coast recently I had the roof up and down as the rain came and went - and with the heater on it doesn’t have to be the height of summer to enjoy going topless.
What, might you ask, of scuttle noise? Well there is none - that or I am finally going deaf in my old age.
Prices for the Roadster start at £26,915 for the 2.0T FSI and £31,535 for the 3.2 quattro.
By Sharon Walters
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