Model Tested:
- 2010 Audi TT Mk2 2.0 TDI Quattro; 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged diesel; six-speed manual; two-door coupe – $70,900*
Drop-dead gorgeous styling, unbeatable economy, torque-monster engine, razor-sharp steering
No automatic transmission, less than ideal compressor/sealant spare-tyre system
CarAdvice Rating: 
Not too long ago, the term ‘diesel sports car’ would have been dismissed as a bad joke, and any company that proposed such a concept would have been labeled a pariah. Not any more – Audi wins Le Mans monotonously with diesels these days. Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) has made all the difference.
Driving a diesel performance car isn’t the same as driving a petrol one. It’s not better, nor worse. Just different.
Exhibit A: The Audi TT 2.0 TDI quattro – released in the second half of 2009 as part of the German brand’s ongoing efficiency offensive, which saw a mass of new slow-sipping variants plugged into the company’s already swollen model lineup.
On fundamentals, TT 2.0 (not to be confused with iSnack 2.0…) stacks up this way: 350Nm of peak torque from 1750-2500rpm. Thinking laterally, that’s line-ball with a direct-injection Commodore V6 … only much lower in the rev range, and from two fewer cylinders. The TT also weighs about 400kg less. Despite this, it offers roughly the same tyre contact patch as an SS Commodore. So you could correctly infer that when you drive one, the ‘grip’ and ‘go’ departments are pretty well covered.
So is fuel economy. The ADR-certified combined-cycle test puts the TDI TT at just 5.3 litres/100km – that’s a staggering 54mpg in the old money. It’s also roughly half that of Australia’s most popular car, the ubiquitous V6 Commodore.
Peak power from the diesel is just 125kW – so it’s not especially setting the world on fire there. And that’s the main reason 0-100 takes 7.5 seconds, despite the fact that the car seems so impressively purposeful in the twisty stuff. It storms along like its unstoppable through bends and up hills, but loses a bit to low power when tasked with straight-line acceleration.
You’ll pay about $71,000 for the pleasure of TDI TT ownership, plus on-roads and minus any discount you might negotiate from a motivated dealer (but, since Audi’s sales amount to a virtually unstoppable juggernaut, expect more ‘take’ than ‘give’ on the negotiation front). For that sort of money you could be in a 135i Sport BMW, a V6 Alfa Romeo GT or a Nissan 370Z. Among the all-paw competition department, you could pick up a Lancer Evolution X MR TC-SST … or a Subaru WRX STi, with enough change left over on the Rex for a tidy overseas jaunt (in Asia, though, not Europe or the USA).
So there’s no shortage of alternatives in this crowded, fashion-conscious segment of the market. That means one of the main reasons why people buy TTs is because they fall head over heels for the styling. And that’s pretty easy to understand – when it comes to drop-dead gorgeous curves, you have to spend a lot more to get the same, or even similar, visual impact. That combination of muscularity and sleekness is almost there in the Boxster S (you’ll pay half as much again for that) but probably doesn’t really happen again in the market (strictly in terms of styling here) until you look at a Benz SL or Porsche 911, both of which are stratospherically more expensive propositions.
The beauty continues into the cabin. Unlike many a Japanese sports car, which offers more buttons than the flight deck on an Airbus A380, or so it would seem, the TT’s interior is minimalistic, elegant and understated. It’s easy to make everything work, because all the controls are well thought out and instinctive, but you don’t feel as if you need a 15-year-old texting genius in the passenger’s seat to find, say, the AM band on the radio.
The speedo is especially nice. Zero to 260km/h, but with a really smart, non-linear calibration. The legal limit – 100km/h is straight up, so it’s dead easy to keep track of as you cruise. That means 0-100km/h takes half the sweep of the needle, while 100-260 takes up the other half. Really intelligent design for speed-obsessed regimes like Australia’s , with 0-90 presented in 5km/h increments, and 90-260 presented in 10km/h steps.
While other manufactures are falling over themselves incorporating ‘proximity key’ technology allowing both keyless entry and keyless start via a start/stop button, the TT is offered with a standard ignition key on a flick-out fob. There’s manual seat adjustment, too, even though Japanese cars from about the $40k mark are these days doing it by pushbutton. Still, it’s not that hard to get the seat right the ‘old fashioned’ way, and the seats themselves are ‘Goldilocks’-spec supportive – not too squishy, not too loose … just right for cruising with the odd spirited fang thrown in.
So, basically, the exterior’s a joy – a step up in every respect from the first TT, which caused something of a stylistic stir when it first lobbed on the world stage in the late 1990s. And the interior, ditto … at least if you sit in the front.
The rear seats exist in name only. Short, above-the-knee amputees will be happy in them, but since legroom is nonexistent and headroom (if that’s the right word) is compromised to the extent that the rear hatch incorporates a graphic warning to the effect that shutting the lid on a tall person could injure their heads, it probably makes more practical sense to fold the rear seats down and utilize the significantly increased rear luggage compartment space that results.
Another impractical feature – for Australia at least – is the flat-tyre provision, which amounts to an onboard 12-volt compressor and a tin of sealant. These work fine for simple punctures, and they certainly save weight. But if you suffer significant tyre damage, you’re basically stranded. With a space-saver, at least you’d be mobile, albeit limited to 80km/h.
Dynamically, this TT (version 2.0, if you like) is light-years better than its predecessor. This car is everything the first one should have been, dynamically, but in some cases, wasn’t. It’s razor sharp, with great poise and balance, abetted my significant mid-corner grip and really progressive, positive transition from grip to slip and back. The steering is a particular delight, which tells you e-x-a-c-t-l-y where the front wheels are pointing, and what they think about you pointing them there. If you can’t hear what they’re saying, maybe you need to get your fingers checked.
The biggest problem when you’re going for it is changing gears – and you will be changing gears, since there’s no auto option hooked up to the TDI. It’s not that the slick-shifting six-speed isn’t a delight. It is – the short throws are great, and so is the clutch and the solid-bordering-on-chunky gear knob. The problem is, initially, re-calibrating your brain to forget everything it’s learned about revving the guts out of a petrol engine to make it perform.
Diesels don’t reward when you do that. Peak power’s not their forte; low-down torque is. So what you need to do is short-shift. If you see 4000rpm on the dial, you’re changing gears too late, son. The car will fall into less of an accelerative abyss if you shift up at 3500rpm. It even sounds good – though not excellent in the manner of 7500rpm full-throttle petrol upshifts – when you do that. And you’d best remember not to change back until just below 2000rpm, too – you’ve got peak torque going for you all the way down to 1750rpm. If you want to milk the diesel for all it’s worth, changing your driving style (at least a little) will be essential.
Video Review:
Ratings:
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive: 
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Specifications:
- Engine: 1,968cc DOHC four-cylinder (16 valve)
- Power: 125kW @ 4,200rpm
- Torque: 350Nm @ 1,750rpm
- Induction: Common Rail & Turbocharged
- Transmission: Six-Speed Manual
- Driven Wheels: All
- Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
- Top Speed: 226km/h (Claimed)
- 0-100km/h: 7.5 seconds
- CO2 Emissions: 139g/km
- Fuel Consumption: 5.3L/100km (ADR)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 60L
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- ANCAP Rating: TBC
- Airbags: Front, Side & Curtain
- Safety: ESC with Traction Control
- Spare Wheel: Sealant Type
- Suspension: Strut (F) / Multi-link (R)
- Cargo Capacity: 290L
- Tow Capacity: N/A
- Turning Circle: 10.9m
- Warranty: Three-Year / Unlimited kilometre
- Weight: 1,413kg (Tare)
- Wheels: Alloy 17 x 8.5-inch
Hairdressers of the world unite. This car was made just for you. I’m a big fan of Audi but this is a lady’s car.
How wrong you are. Yesterday I saw a silver TT being driven it’s heart out by a guy on a steep mountain road. He looked like he was having the time of his life! For me, the styling is spot on, and my mates think so too. Until you’ve driven the diesel (or any TT for that matter) I would advise that you don’t judge it so quickly.
Callous Aussie what part of the article that said: ’350Nm of peak torque from 1750-2500rpm (Not 1750-2000, CA you need some more proof reading). Thinking laterally, that’s line-ball with a direct-injection Commodore V6 … only much lower in the rev range, and from two fewer cylinders. The TT also weighs about 400kg less.’ and ‘it offers roughly the same tyre contact patch as an SS Commodore’
Did you not understand? Not to mention nearly half the fuel used.
I’ll take this over a Falcodore any day thanks, I like narrow windy hill climbs and this would leave a Falcodore for dead in that scenario, if all you care about is speed in a straight line, 0-100km/h, dragging off the lights then obviously this is not the car for you, but if you want to DRIVE this most certainly is.
Regards
Whitbomb07
Yep Perfect Hairdressers car, especially if your name is Steve Ackerie!! You know that hairdresser that drives boats faster than your car…….
So Saftey first if you think a TT TDi is a ladies/hairdressers car then what does that make a SIDI Commodore that the TDi equals in terms of torque (lower in the range) with less cylinders and total capacity, nearly half the fuel consumption, = tyre contact to a SS Commodore, and better handling ? Is all that waste and excess what makes something manly? You’re a joke, stop trying to compensate.
If the TT TDi is a hairdressers car then Falcodore’s are ‘weak sissy little girl who hasn’t got a clue how to DRIVE (at best knows how to push the noise pedal in a straight line) car.
You responses are pathetic, stop trying to put down something which simply because it is a much better car in “Real Driving” situations*, and not something that does max doughies at Lidcombe station, drag off the lights and use 50-100l/100km doing so. Woopdee freaking do, if you think that’s ‘Driving’ you haven’t got a clue.
*By real driving situation I mean a nice tight windy road, something like the great alpine road over Mount Hotham. That is REAL driving.
Get out there and learn to drive people, driving is not about what you can do off the lights! Throw your car around some corners and stop freaking out and stomping on the brakes to do so!
Regards
Whitbomb07
Hey Whitbomb, re read what I said, in response to the Callous Aussies comment above..
Also the hairdresser I mentioned is not a Lady… he is one of Australias foremost Offshore powerboat racers……
Fsake, you will never find me bagging an Audi… Christ I fell in love with the brand back in ’76 with an Audi 80 Fox…..
I actually was guilty of pushing the boundries set by the Modedrators by putting down Callous Aussies slightly nonsensical comment.. Purely because this vehicle is so far from the geniune hairdressers cars such as Triumph Stagg (the Original) Toyota Celica (all bar the GT4) The Last Toyota MR2 & Nissan Gazelle just to name a few..
I Suggest you take a chill pill and read everything in front of you before jumping down someones throat my friend
For the record though, I reckon comparing it to a Commodore is a bit rude… After all The Commodore with it’s choice of Sidi Motors is an improvement over it’s former self, not any other vehicle released in the last 3 years……
Safety first.
My apologies I took it as you were still implying it was still a hairdressers car, but my argument still remains for those who do believe it’s a ‘girlie’ car.
Regards
Whitbomb07
Who’s a silly girl then? Even I knew she was being sarcastic.
Resorting to attacking me because you can’t think up a good enough response to what I’ve said huh Callous?
I enjoy a healthy discussion (which is as far as I’ve considered this to have gone so far) however resorting to having a go at a person because they’ve put forward a reasonable case and argument instead of either continuing your defence or admitting that you were incorrect is kind of low…………
Regards
Whitbomb07
Whitbomb07 says:
January 5, 2010 at 1:46 pm
No drama’s I knew that was where you were at ;-), those comment are from people who have (more than likely) never driven, or will ever be in the position to drive the different types of vehilces to learn what makes up a hairdressers car and what constitutes a sports car. Some believe because a car looks pretty and has the options of FWD or AWD it cannot be taken seriously. Give me one of these and say Callous a Cayman and we’ll see who can get from Waterworks road to Malaney first.
;-)
Now that’s what I’m talking about Safety!
I’ll take this, Callous can take his ‘Manly’ HSV GTS or something similar and we’ll do a time trial from Bright to Omeo and back again. Leave the times to do the talking………….
Then afterwards just for fun (as a secondary issue) compare fuel usage while we are at it!
Regards
Whitbomb07
It wasn’t worthy of a response. That’s why it got what it did. You attacked “safety first” People who live in glasses houses……
You clearly need to grow up and start reading what people have posted. I have not at anytime mention Holden or HSV as a vehicle of choice. This is some insecurity in you that suggests I have. Not to mention a solid dose of immaturity.
Tedious comment, Callous Aussie.
Regurgitating Jeremy Clarkson’s view on the TT isn’t at all clever. Besides, what kind of hairdresser has the income to buy a $70,000 car?
I’d be more than happy to cut hair if I could drive one of these every day.
Thanks for letting me know someone else feels the same way about it’s styling. I hadn’t seen his review on the car.
Cheers.
Oh you didn’t hear that one from Clarkson? Apologies. It’s nothing personal, I’m just sick of hearing that same comment over and over whenever this car is reviewed. I just can’t see the connection between a hairdresser and a $70,000 sports car. Aren’t hairdressers more likely to drive a Corolla or a Swift or something?
Last I heard the hairdresser car of choice was a MX-5 or Celica.
Had a look at Urban Dictionary and the first definition uses the Audi TT as an example :D http://www.urbandictionary.com.....sers%20car
That’s classic. See it isn’t just me that thinks it’s a chick’s car. Cheers Brad.
Now this is a man’s car :)
http://www.carpoint.com.au/new.....nder-17827
I agree,
Ihe Barina is too big and girly.
This smaller more Manly and managable in size car just ooozes Tim the Tool Man Taylor grunt action….
Haha. I have to chuckle. Does anyone see a resemblance to the Fiesta in that “spark”? Scary.
I know of some wealthy hairdressers. Stefan, for one, comes to mind. He can pretty much afford any car on the planet methinks.
You’ve got the model tested as a petrol car.
Apologies, all fixed.
The styling says chick’s car. It irrelevent what’s under the bonnet. It still can’t get rid of it’s girlie styling. I’ll take an A4 thanks, in that same red. So long as your mates agree Badass we all should?
Whitbomb why do I need to proof read. I haven’t quoted any figures. Your post makes no sense. The RX8 goes well too but it’s a hairdresser’s car too. Prissie styling ain’t for me. I also have no idea why you mention the falcodores? I haven’t said I prefer them over this. There are a couple on the roads up here and I ain’t a fan of the styling. Despite being an Audi fan.
So your idea of a real mans car is a disgusting HSV with a million vents tacked onto it?
The TT is a great looking car and i want one in black.
Yep, the new TTs look much better than the older ones which I would never have considered getting even if I had the money to spend on it.
That’s one hell of an assumption. Where on earth did you suck that from? I haven’t mentioned HSV.
Sorry Callous by CA proof read I meant Car Advice, they listed the torque band as 1750-2000, when it’s 1750-2500rpm. This seems to be happening a bit recently.
I think you are extremely flawed in calling this a hairdressers car. If you want hairdressers car look at an Getz, Jazz, Barina, Yaris.
Regards
Whitbomb07
Dont forget the RAV4 in that list
http://www.caradvice.com.au/98.....s5-review/
Now that’s a man’s Audi.
Nah, Sorry but I re watched IRONMAN on Sunday, and his (very attractive) personal assistant drove the S5….. The real mans Audi is the R8…. :-P
But heck I’d even settle for an S3
But she is a real man. Have you heard her sing?
I’m sure we can all agree though that Audi do some of the vest interiors of any manufacturer. Even in the TT. Their finish is awesome.
I would go as far as saying that they do THE best interiors in the business.
Agree with you there.
Not to sure about the interior quality of A4s and A3s but…. The leather seats do feel awesome and love the central panel control and steering wheel quality. Minor shortcomings on the doors plastic.
But I can’t fault the TT and their models from A5 and beyond – they all feel spot on!
The TDI engine is great and all, but in a TT? That’s already fitted with a really rather good (and already very economical) petrol engine? Same deal with the Scirocco (that Aus doesn’t get.. sigh) and it being fitted with the same TDI engine.
Sorta just seems a little bit pointless to me. Having this engine in a Golf, Octavia or other family-car based object makes sense, because of them having (more often than not) a dual role in being the fun car to drive as well as being the family haul-around; then you also get best of both worlds, the diesel’s performance, and also its economy at the same time.
As novel as the idea may be, if you ask me, the idea of diesel in a sports car like the TT isn’t quite there yet. Now, if it was fitted with the twin-turbo version of it’s TDI engine on the other hand…
Iz, totally diferent brands I know, but thinking of ways to give you an accessible comparison drive.. Take both versions of either of the following vehicles for a test drive, not drive for economy but drive for fun…
Focus, i30 or Fiesta (given that the Econetic is pitched as an economy car it is even more surprising)… all of those will show how having bags of torque down low in the rev range suit spirited driving as described above through Mountains. (Whitbomb uses Hotham, I use Glorius and the roads around Malaney)
Heh, I’m a big diesel fan, believe me, and I drive a Golf diesel (and love it =D) but I dunno..
Maybe its just too left field for me to comprehend at the moment =p
High performance diesels are the future of performance cars. Several makers are currently developing diesels for their performance brands. V8 performance for half the capacity and half the fuel.
Oh dear Callous I thought it was sacrilege for you to say something positive about Diesel engines? ;-) (brought to you by the letters T, I and C)
Regards
Whitbomb07
True Callous, unfortunately it can take a few years for the Oz consumer to catch on. The torque capabilities of these diesels mated to a descent transmission are a true joy in real road conditions.
I’ll drink to that Will.
Pity Joe Average just can’t get their heads around it. “Fear what you don’t understand” is alive and well.
Regards
Whitbomb07
I own a diesel knucklehead. Now go find where I said anything negative about them. Are you stoned or something Whitbomb? You keep making up crap to get credibility. Like your other post suggesting I would drive a HSV. Where the hell did I write that?
Schitz much?
It may be a hairdressers car but it’s a awesome hairdressers car
An aesthetically pleasing and forward thinking concept. Unfortunately I have been in a relation for er, some time. Thus if I went the performance option I would probably compromise for the Octavia RS wagon, same power-train and can accommodate a few fully assembled push-bikes in the back and kayaks on the roof.
However if I were single…the TT. Happy happy joy joy!
Can anybody please explain why German cars are so expensive in Australia. Eg. Base A4, BMW3, MB C, half the price in the US. Go and have a look. The petrol TT US$50k???
ALL cars are expensive in Australia… compare a SS Commodore with what the G8 was sold for in the US, or even a Camry in both countries
Because there are people stupid enough to pay the price.
What’s all this about it being a “hairdressers car”? What does that even mean? Just because somebody cuts hair for a living doesn’t mean they don’t like to drive. The man that does my hair drives a GT3 and races it every weekend!
The TT is a brilliant little sports car. Just because it doesn’t have a huge engine doesn’t mean it’s a girls car. I’d get the petrol version, but the fact is that it’s fast, it handles very well, it’s great fun and it looks brilliant. It even has badge cred.
For what you pay, what more can you expect?
Had a fantastic blast throught the Great Ocean Road being hotly pursued -and overtaken by a Golf tdi in my XR8 (oh the shame). Took me ages to return the favour and it only really happened in the twisty bits where the diesel – take a breath true believers – ran out of torque. >sound of gnashing teeth>. What you guys fail to take into account when waxing about ‘V8 torque’ is turbo inertia or lag that blunts the throttle response out of tight corners – this makes cars feel very unsporting and when your turbo gets hot in these situations the power drops right off. Remember we are talking tight corners not winding roads.
Also please try to remember that V8s for some stupid reason are expected to equal or better any performance engine – without the benefit of forced induction. Add a turbo or 2, direct injection, intercooling and a far more expensive production method (as some Germans have) and your good ole V8 will hose off all comers like they always did.
Having said all that, I am interested in a 125kw 350 nm Golf for the second car – is this TT powertrain identical in the Golf and how many $$ am I up for?
Look back at some 1970′s BTCC history and you’ll see the little old 4 cylinder minis & escorts gave the V8′s from abroad a run for thier money often beating them. V8′s qucik down the straights but hopelss in the twisties.
Bathurst ’65: Cortina, ’66: Mini, Escort ahead of Moffat’s Boss Mustang in ’70 ATCC – unbelievable stuff and top fodder for the human race that worships the underdog. A little bit of study will reveal that tyre and brake technology was too far behind the V8 torque curve and that light cars had some big advantages. Have a look at pole times vs race pace when the nipping at the heels started and you’ll see what I mean.
The hopeless in the corners stuff is standard folklore but doesn’t hold up when you look a little deeper. Braking distances are where its at.
Wow, good review marred by the constant references to Commodore. Except where the comparison would have been awful (eg power output, price, maintenance costs). But I digress.
I don’t think anyone would choose a Commodore in preference to this, even Holden fans, were the pricing even remotely in the same ballpark. And lets not hear the usual ‘tariffs’ argument, they are basically non-existent now. It’s gouging by German manufacturers plain and simple and all the more galling when they do it on models not even made in Germany (eg most BMW 3s). Irrational haters of domestic product allow them to continue with these practices.
A very nice car but not for me as I only drive automatics.
I can’t help but notice though that the interior looks very much like the constantly derided VE Holden Calais interior. Now before the fanbois explode, I can see the materials in the Audi are better quality and put together better but all the ‘bad things’ about the Calais – all black, centre screen ‘too low’ and the general design of the instrument binnacle – are incredibly similar. Yet in the Audi it’s all fine and dandy?
Good point about the interior, but let me tell you my cousin has one and it is much different to the Commodore. The Commodore isnt as bad as people make it out to be but it is not that good either. The Audi is of better quality and make, but as you said and i can attest to, the same problems that plague the commodore seem to be cropping up in the TT albeit in slightly different ways.
Love the TT, but doesn’t the diesel make it a car for socially phobic hedonists? I suppose it makes sense for many, but I couldn’t have the diesel knowing there’s the TT-S and TT-RS available. I’d feel like I’d only bought the diesel because I was worried what others thought of me, and short-changed myself!
Looks great. I’m sure it would handle like it’s on rails and extremely frugal.
If I was in the market for this, I would be hoping VW hurry up and release their Bluesport roadster concept.
IMO a better proposition with a tweaked version of the same engine. Better performance!
http://www.thesupercars.org/vo.....bluesport/
if i want a diesel i will buy a truck….
dont care what people say how quite disels are these days…BSSS…they still sound like a truck…whether it is a little less noisy or not…. they all still sound like trucks…
Marcoz, who’s holding a gun to your head???
Ok ok simon…tru true…
How does this car compare to the bmw 135i?
Price range
If only I was a plumber
What a great video review! The only drawback for me was the rattly “music” background. This is simply not needed in a motoring review; apart from being annoying, it detracts from the wondrous exhaust note of this TT.
On the question of getting diesel on your hands when refuelling, I carry a few disposable rubber gloves in my diesel Eos. It’s a simple task to slip one on before opening the fuel cap, and disposing of it in the servo’s waste bin once refuelling is completed. Mind you, there’s not a lot you can do to prevent treading in the diesel coating the floor around each diesel bowser.
This is a hopeless car.
The good things are only for additional cost and if you add up – will be twice the price of teh car (almost!)