2007 Audi TT Coupe 3.2 Quattro S Tronic Road Test
July 20, 2007 by Anthony Crawford
How it goes
- Introduction
- Background Info
- How it Goes
- How it Handles
- Interior
- The Look
- Space, Storage and Practicality
- Safety Features
- Future TT’s
Anybody who tells you the new Audi TT is not a REAL sports car is kidding themselves.
Worse still, they are probably comparing it to the latest Porsche Carrera, which retails for just under $200,000 and frankly, is only marginally quicker than the TT. And that’s before we get into styling and Audi’s S- tronic tranny!
Peak torque of 320 Nm kicks in between a very useable 2,500 and 3,000 rpm and the engine revs freely, delivering maximum power of 184 kW at 6,300. These outputs won’t set the world on fire but wrapped in this package, this engine punches well above its weight.
From a standing start, you’ll hit 100km/h in a genuine 5.7 seconds. Flat out will see the Speedo firmly striking a governed 250km/h, which will see you behind bars in this country.
Better still, is the superb deep-throated high performance burble of this tuned V6, clearly audible at idle, even better when nudging 6,300rpm.
Dropping the right foot, and holding fast, is a treat for any driver. The S tronic transmission (or Direct Shift Gearbox – a far better acronym) exploits every kilowatt and Newton-metre on offer, as it races through all six speeds like an F1 car on a qualifying lap.
Let me explain. The SMT gearbox in Ferrari’s million-dollar Enzo supercar changes gear ratios in a brief 150 milliseconds and yes, that’s quick.
But here’s where Audi can get a little cocky, and rightly so. Their S tronic (one gearbox, two clutches and two sets of gears) will upshift automatically in a mind blowing 8 milliseconds, and that’s with your mother behind the wheel!
Most times, you’ll be fine leaving the beautifully tactile shifter in “D” for Drive. But when you need to get serious, go ahead and select “S” for Sport, for a far more explosive experience.
Gear ratios will be held to 6,300 revs with no compromise whatsoever, to the lightning fast changes. Now you’re cooking and probably on the shift paddles behind the steering wheel, for that racecar like feel. As you line up a corner at high speed – downshifting 3rd to 2nd the throttle will blip, blip (like a heel and toe double de clutch in old school land) with each shift. The pleasure is twofold. Downshifts are impossibly quick, and the blip-blip sound, is addictive.
How is the new TT quicker than the model it replaces, despite being larger in every dimension? Weight and weight distribution!
It’s over 100 kilos lighter, due to its 70% aluminium and 30% high- strength steel construction via the “Audi Space Frame” body developed in the 1990’s for their A8 series cars.
Weight distribution has been given top priority with steel components located mainly in the rear floor area in addition to the boot lid and doors so that axel loads are evenly split.
All up, the 3.2 quattro weighs in at 1,410 kg, which is LIGHT given the luxury trim and additional measurements.
And whist we haven’t driven the 2.0 TFSI, which tops out at 1,260 kg – we sure would like to!
The new car is slippery too. With a drag coefficient of .30 against the previous car’s .34, fuel efficiency is slightly better at highway speeds.
i’m really loving the new look audi tt and only have a really girly question which is what colour blue is the tt in the article !!
Hi there durnise, the colour is Petrol Blue.
There’s a whole bunch of nice colours for the TT range. At first I didn’t like the colour but it sure did grow on me especially the contrast with the off white Nappa leather.
bet3a2iddddddddd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! very very nice car
Brrroooommmm!!!!
I’ve just recently taken delivery on my TT after 2 months wait. Trying not to bloat, it such a superb car, the handling feels like you fly around corners like superman! – must be the magnetic suspension. Anyone thinking of buying one, you should!
This new tt is wonderous.the price is right and it has the luxury and power to go along with it.i think its wayy better than my bmw z4.Thats not an opinion ITS A FACT!
This car is incredible!
A white or orange TTS is my pick out of all the TTs, it has less weight, more agility and less emissions than this model.
Hi there! I have been reading your comments with interest. I have a 2007 Audi TT 3.2 V6 Quattro total cost $100K. I have been complaining about my DSG gear box and transmission for at least a year now….about every month my car goes into Audi for the DSG and other faults (like the key breaking off in the ignition!!)Just recently it got a lot worse, jerking very badly, dropping down gears, stalling and strange noises were coming from the transmission. So it’s at the dealership while I write this…it has been there for 16 days already and i was told yesterday that they will have it for another 14 days…so 30 in total!! Aparently the Mechatronics box is faulty and is being replaced. And why it is taking so long is because the new box has to come from Germany..then the 1st one arrived damaged…sigh…so we are waiting on box number two!
In the meantime they have given me a poverty pack A3 to drive which is driving me nuts! So i said to the general manager of my local dealership, ill just drive my car unitl the part arrives to save me driving this A3, to that he said that my car is not safe to drive!! When i asked has it been safe to drive for the last year while they have been telling me nothing is wrong?? and he said well not really…like WTF??!! So I have reported this all to Audi Australia, and they are investigating the job, as they said the time frame was unacceptable aswell. Anyway i look forward to having my car back, but i think i will take the approach, hope for the best…expect the worse when it comes to my car being fixed properly