Audi TT

The new TT is made to please the driver. It uses an aluminium construction and only 30 per cent steel has been used to reinforce areas of heavy load. The new TT’s body shell is 50 per cent stiffer though 50 per cent lighter. Similar to the older Audi, you are seated low down. A unique feature on this car is that the mirrors and gear lever feel placed higher up. The adjustable dampers can be softened on poor roads, and the TT actually rides agreeably over bumps. The new Audi has sharp handling even with the dampers on the ‘soft’ setting. It responds well to tweaks on the wheel and body roll is well-contained. As a result, this car is good for long-distance drives.

Firmly driven

The V6 motor produces a considerable amount of torque, producing its maximum twist from just 2500rpm and, as a result, dialling up 2000rpm is sufficient for most purposes. Even in straightline, it is quick with 247bhp on tap.

Fire up the V6 and it makes a pleasing rumble, with a deep baritone exhaust note when asked to pull from low speeds. Half-throttle responses are very sprightly, with the thrust from the V6 hurling the light aluminium body forward effortlessly. Performance in the mid-range is also strong, with this long-stroke motor pulling hard in this rev band; Audi has upped the ante with the new TT for sure. In addition, even if driven relatively hard, the car responds well. It revels in being firmly driven, and using only 80 per cent of the power band, grip and handling turns out to be a pleasing exercise.

As the new TT shares its underpinnings with Volkswagen Golf R32, it gets the Golf’s part-time four-wheel-drive system. Though Audi calls the car a Quattro, the fact remains that it actually uses a Haldex four-wheel-drive unit that sends 85 per cent of the power to the front wheels.

Quattro system


Yes, this can be reversed, but the system, which is essentially VW’s 4Motion, just does not have the grip and poise you would get from a 50:50 or 40:60 full-on Quattro system.

Also, when the TT is driven really hard the motor runs out of steam as you reach the top of the power band and a lack of linearity at these engine speeds was also detected.

Then the electro-mechanical steering lops off some crucial feedback as you go harder and the TT lacks that all-important balance and poise when all four wheels are overloaded for grip. Understeer sets in pretty early, and the ploughing continues until you get off the gas and onto the brakes; nice and safe but not smile-inducing.

Despite the shape and the greater focus on driving manners, the TT remains a predominantly front-wheel-drive car with its motor slung out over the front axle.

The new Audi TT will cost a cool Rs. 50 lakh. However, it has been successful and for good reasons.

The Audi has an incredible build quality and finish. In addition, the interiors of this car reek of class owing to the deep-set dials and the high-quality plastics, the impeccable leather trim, the well-crafted metal bits and the snug fit of the cabin.

The new TT might not be the ultimate driving experience but it looks good, performs decently, has great agility and offers good grip and poise as well. So if you want style with the oomph factor, the Audi TT is just the vehicle for you.