Since its launch in 1999, the Audi TT has been a motoring icon. Unique, distinctive, and unmistakably an Audi, to date, no other manufacturer have matched the TT. Now it has just got better if that were possible.
Bring on the new Audi TTS the most powerful TT Audi have ever produced. The blow away cobweb 2.0 litre TFSI engine takes just 5.2 seconds to reach 62mph from 0, delivers 350N of torque and rather sadly but sensibly, the top speed has been limited to 155 mph.
Two versions are available, the sleek coupe at a cool £32,800 or the stunning Roadster at a steaming £36,640. Distinguishing the TTS from its siblings are 18-inch alloy wheels, and a sports exhaust system complete with twin exhaust pipes on the left and right hand side in a chrome rolled finish for starters. Then comes the TTS body styling that sees a restyled front and rear bumpers plus side sill extensions that simply looks the business and guaranteed to turn many heads. So make sure you are always looking your best whist in the TTS. Complimenting this is the ‘S’ platinum grey grille with double vertical chrome struts and that all-important TTS badge. My test car came in the gorgeous Sprint Blue pearl effect paint, such a s befitting name and the optional extra auto dimming, folding electrically operated and heated door mirrors housed in aluminium.
It took days for my neighbours to talk to me.
To remind oneself this is a TTS, are more TTS badges inside; on the scuff plates, the three spoked flat bottomed multi function leather steering wheel with not just controls for the CD changer, but also paddles to change gears, on the instrument dials and of course, proudly sitting on top of the leather gear knob. Leather is in abundance around the TTS with the seats having decorative stitching to match the seat centres. Even the floor mats had leather piping again to match the seat centres. The ‘Wow’ factors of the TTS just keep on coming out as will your cheque book for the TTS has a lot of optional extras one may expect to be standard.
For instance my test car had the optional satellite navigation system plus at £1,650, electrically adjustable front seats, £450, BOSE surround sound system £475 to name a few. Then the Cruise control, mobile telephone preparation, CD changer, adaptive lights and Audi hill hold assist. In fact the total of my optional extras was just over six grand. But hey, the street cred this car allures is priceless.
As the TTS burst into action you cannot help but smile in delight. This new TFSI turbo charged direct injection engine was developed originally for the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race to deliver increased power and torque as well as enhanced fuel efficiency and is a unique Audi innovation. It is also simply exhilarating oh and pretty green too with CO2 emissions a respectable 191g/km and achieving an equally respectable 35.3-mpg on a combined cycle. So now drivers can have thier cake and eat it. A sporty awesome drive without taking out a second mortgage.
Customers an either chose from a six speed manual transmission or the six speed S tronic direct shift automatic transmission that combines the agility and responsiveness of a conventional six speed manual gearbox with the convenience and smoothness of an automatic transmission. The electromechanical steering comes with speed dependent power assist that will breeze you in and out of any parking bay with utter ease at the same token keeping you firmly on track on the open roads. No bend is too much for this TTS. The fun I had driving this car was just wonderful and as a result I managed very little work that week. However, when you have a car like this sitting outside, it is almost a criminal offence to leave it there. This car just has to be driven over and over again.
Of course, the children loved it as they fell into the two rear seats especially when the TTS reached around 60mph and the rear spoiler raises her head. I am surprised the TTS does not cause more accidents as it must be pretty unnerving to say be behind the TTS and suddenly this thing appears out of the rear! Did the TT look better with the spoiler on permanent display I asked myself? Quite possibly but due to aerodynamic reasons, the spoiler only comes up at certain speeds.
Being low-slung one may expect a rough ride and handling. Not so in the TTS with the quattro permanent all-wheel drive, sports suspension meaning a 10mm lower ride height with stiffer damper and spring rates combined with Audi Magnetic Ride. This is an Adaptive suspension system with two modes, Normal and Sport. Sensors in the car monitor the road conditions and adjust the damping effect by varying a magnetic charge which passes through a fluid-based shock absorber for improved road handling, outstanding chassis control and in effect was one of the most comfortable cars I have driven in for a long time.
If I were tempted to try and push the TTS too far, or egged on by the children who were also thoroughly enjoying this car, I had numerous back ups ready and waiting to protect not just us but the car.
Standard safety devices comprise of ABS with Anti Slip Regulations Traction Control, ESP, Electronic Differential Lock and, being a TTS, enhanced braking system with black painted brake callipers complete with another TTS logo. Protecting the occupants are driver plus passenger airbags along with side airbags for the front seats.
The Xenon Plus headlights come with LED daytime driving lights, headlight washer system and Adaptive lights, which I believe should now be standard on every car, for cornering at nighttime is so much safer as the lights pick up the kerb. Other toys are the acoustic parking system, Audi Hill Hold Assist, ISOFIX preparations for the two rear seats and the useful tyre pressure monitor system. Securing the TTS is a Thatchme Category 1 alarm.
I am always asked what car I would personally choose to own. Up until now it was the Jaguar XKR. Not any more. My choice has now been replaced with the Audi TTS Coupe and if money were no object I would also have a TTS Roadster for the summer. I loved this car and everything about it. The ride, the power, the handling the fun right down to the fact that the boot is accommodating for the weekly shop.
Vorsprung durch Technik – indeed
Jackie Violet - Female First
Since its launch in 1999, the Audi TT has been a motoring icon. Unique, distinctive, and unmistakably an Audi, to date, no other manufacturer have matched the TT. Now it has just got better if that were possible.
Bring on the new Audi TTS the most powerful TT Audi have ever produced. The blow away cobweb 2.0 litre TFSI engine takes just 5.2 seconds to reach 62mph from 0, delivers 350N of torque and rather sadly but sensibly, the top speed has been limited to 155 mph.
Two versions are available, the sleek coupe at a cool £32,800 or the stunning Roadster at a steaming £36,640. Distinguishing the TTS from its siblings are 18-inch alloy wheels, and a sports exhaust system complete with twin exhaust pipes on the left and right hand side in a chrome rolled finish for starters. Then comes the TTS body styling that sees a restyled front and rear bumpers plus side sill extensions that simply looks the business and guaranteed to turn many heads. So make sure you are always looking your best whist in the TTS. Complimenting this is the ‘S’ platinum grey grille with double vertical chrome struts and that all-important TTS badge. My test car came in the gorgeous Sprint Blue pearl effect paint, such a s befitting name and the optional extra auto dimming, folding electrically operated and heated door mirrors housed in aluminium.
It took days for my neighbours to talk to me.
To remind oneself this is a TTS, are more TTS badges inside; on the scuff plates, the three spoked flat bottomed multi function leather steering wheel with not just controls for the CD changer, but also paddles to change gears, on the instrument dials and of course, proudly sitting on top of the leather gear knob. Leather is in abundance around the TTS with the seats having decorative stitching to match the seat centres. Even the floor mats had leather piping again to match the seat centres. The ‘Wow’ factors of the TTS just keep on coming out as will your cheque book for the TTS has a lot of optional extras one may expect to be standard.
For instance my test car had the optional satellite navigation system plus at £1,650, electrically adjustable front seats, £450, BOSE surround sound system £475 to name a few. Then the Cruise control, mobile telephone preparation, CD changer, adaptive lights and Audi hill hold assist. In fact the total of my optional extras was just over six grand. But hey, the street cred this car allures is priceless.
As the TTS burst into action you cannot help but smile in delight. This new TFSI turbo charged direct injection engine was developed originally for the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race to deliver increased power and torque as well as enhanced fuel efficiency and is a unique Audi innovation. It is also simply exhilarating oh and pretty green too with CO2 emissions a respectable 191g/km and achieving an equally respectable 35.3-mpg on a combined cycle. So now drivers can have thier cake and eat it. A sporty awesome drive without taking out a second mortgage.
Customers an either chose from a six speed manual transmission or the six speed S tronic direct shift automatic transmission that combines the agility and responsiveness of a conventional six speed manual gearbox with the convenience and smoothness of an automatic transmission. The electromechanical steering comes with speed dependent power assist that will breeze you in and out of any parking bay with utter ease at the same token keeping you firmly on track on the open roads. No bend is too much for this TTS. The fun I had driving this car was just wonderful and as a result I managed very little work that week. However, when you have a car like this sitting outside, it is almost a criminal offence to leave it there. This car just has to be driven over and over again.
Of course, the children loved it as they fell into the two rear seats especially when the TTS reached around 60mph and the rear spoiler raises her head. I am surprised the TTS does not cause more accidents as it must be pretty unnerving to say be behind the TTS and suddenly this thing appears out of the rear! Did the TT look better with the spoiler on permanent display I asked myself? Quite possibly but due to aerodynamic reasons, the spoiler only comes up at certain speeds.
Being low-slung one may expect a rough ride and handling. Not so in the TTS with the quattro permanent all-wheel drive, sports suspension meaning a 10mm lower ride height with stiffer damper and spring rates combined with Audi Magnetic Ride. This is an Adaptive suspension system with two modes, Normal and Sport. Sensors in the car monitor the road conditions and adjust the damping effect by varying a magnetic charge which passes through a fluid-based shock absorber for improved road handling, outstanding chassis control and in effect was one of the most comfortable cars I have driven in for a long time.