- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 2 seats
- Engine
1.8T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
118kW, 250Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 6.6L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Mind your head on the way in!
PIGEONHOLE: There isn't one.
PHILOSOPHY: A win for design and originality.
WHO'S BUYING IT: Creative, visually aware under-40s. Architects, movie and advertising types feature prominently. Lots of fast-car enthusiasts.
WHY YOU'D BUY IT: Because you love the look and the detailing, don't mind being gawked at in traffic and fancy a dose of performance and tight road manners. The TT exudes quality and emotional must-have-one appeal.
WHY YOU WOULDN'T: There's a Quattro version coming with more oomph and a better-balanced chassis. The TT is a selfish two-seater where practicality has been sacrificed for good looks. No drip rails on the roof means rainwater ends up on your lap when you open the door. Expect some annoying windscreen reflections and fitment of sunroof is not possible.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT: Climate control air-conditioning, alloy wheels, power steering, electric mirrors and windows, audio system, sports seats, splashes of leather. Well specified for a standard German import.
SAFETY: Dual front and side airbags combined with seatbelt tensioners and an impressively strong body structure. No independent data available, but the TT exceeds all current and future European and US standards.
CABIN: A work of modern art. Basic black with brushed aluminium highlights. There's precision and quality on every control surface. Great to look at but tactile and cocooned once you're inside. Mind your head on the way in!
SEATING: Grippy sports seats in the front but the rear pew is more like a padded parcel shelf and is unsuitable for anyone taller than 1.5m. Or anyone with legs. Rear seat splits and folds to produce a versatile load-through area to a generous boot.
ENGINE: The familiar Audi/VW 1.8-litre turbo four, topped with five valves per cylinder is a strong, torque-laden engine. The maximum 235Nm is on tap from just 1950 revs all the way through to 5000 rpm. Squeeze the pedal and it responds. The standard version produces a healthy 132kW of power. A more potent 165kW version is on the way but only in the heavier, Quattro four-wheel drive model. Power to weight ratio is better, but not by a big margin.
TRANSMISSION: Audi's five-speed manual is defined by positive engagement but a refusal to be banged quickly through the ratios. There's a pleasant mechanical weight to the shift but it's not the slickest, sportiest 'box around. The Quattro gets a six-speed of entirely different design.
STEERING: Sharp turn-in and good feedback even though it lacks some fine road feel. Typical front-wheel drive kickback is muted by traction control but there's no doubt which set of wheels is doing all the work.
RIDE: Firm. The underpinnings are borrowed from the Golf/A3 and are tied down tight. The TT works best on a smooth surface; over rough, patched macadam it's a bit sharp.
HANDLING: The TT's trajectory is nicely adjustable with the throttle. Mid-corner lift-off tightens the line. Understeers when the front tyres get hot and bothered. Overall, one of the better-balanced front drivers around but the Quattro will be a whole new ball game.
FUEL: Recorded an average of 12.3 litres/100km over 700 km, which included track and performance testing at Eastern Creek raceway. Owners will do better in the real world.
BRAKES: Four-wheel discs, ventilated at the front with anti-lock control and brake effort proportioning. No vices.
BUILD: Tight as a beer keg and well finished. Some early cars had minor adjustment problems with the locking mechanism on the large rear hatch.
WARRANTY: Three years/100,000km.
ANTI-THEFT: Remote key-operated central locking with high quality immobiliser.
AUDIO SYSTEM: Excellent and well hidden behind a brushed alloy face plate.
COST: Join the queue at $73,000 plus on-road costs. The more powerful Quattro version will cost $86,000. Only a few hundred on the way and already there's a black market. Be very nice to your dealer.
VERDICT: An outstanding, feel-good design built to a high standard with a strong engine and high calibre front-wheel drive dynamics. Yes, it sacrifices some practicality but what the hell? Driving purists will be better served by the Quattro version, but the standard TT is no slouch.