By EWAN KENNEDY
27 November 2006

The first task of the designers of the second-generation Audi TT was to make it look like an Audi TT. This may sound like a strange statement to anyone who doesn’t know their cars, but the lines of the original Audi coupe are so radical that it was vital not to change them overmuch.

Most TT enthusiasts will like the shape of the new model, but there are some full-on purists who may feel the new model has lost some of the extreme edge it once enjoyed. While the rounded shape generally remains as before, the new-generation TT has gained a maturity that wasn’t there in the original.

It’s as though a strong minded teenager who was always determined to do their one thing has suddenly lost their rebellious edge and become more elegant upon entering their early 20s.

At the same time the teenager has become larger and more self assured – because the new TT is pretty well half a size up on the old. Length, width and wheelbase have all increased substantially, firstly to give more interior and boot space, secondly to permit greater crumple rates in a crash.

Audi's trademark single-frame grille has been successfully carried across to the new TT, it now blends neatly into the shape of the revised headlights. A sleeker bonnet line carries into the car’s shoulders and tapers out towards the distinctive rear lights. Naturally, the domed roof, the most prominent feature of the first TT, has been retained.

The stuck -on rear wing that was a somewhat ugly feature of all-but the earliest of the original TT has thankfully gone. Its place taken by one that raises once the speed exceeds 120 km/h in order to improve downforce and stability. It can be also raised manually for cleaning purposes (which is something to keep in mind if a policemen queries the fact that the wing is up!).

All-in-all it’s a lovely styling job and there are even those who say it reminds them of a Porsche 911 at the rear. High praise indeed.

At its launch the second-generation TT is offered in coupe form with either a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder FSI turbo engine (147 kW and 280 Nm) or a 3.2-litre naturally aspirated V6 (184 kW and 320 Nm).

Australian imports of the 2.0-litre are offered with either a six-speed full manual or six-speed automated manual gearbox. The 3.2-litre is only being imported with the automated unit. Audi calls its automated manual the ‘S tronic’, the new title given to the DSG gearbox we have raved about in the past.

Much as we as revheads enjoy changing gears ourselves we are being forced to admit that the S tronic does it better. Not only providing faster changes and therefore better performance, but using less fuel and creating fewer emissions at the same time.

Also standard on the 3.2-litre is Audi's famed quattro all-wheel drive system. Channeling 320 Newton metres to the front wheels only could have lead to traction problems. These would probably have been dealt with by electronically limiting the engine in the lower gears, and nobody wants that.

Inside the cabin the new Audi TT still retains the circular sporting theme in the dash area that we loved in the old model. It works beautifully and the sporting/luxury compromise is neatly integrated by the use of quality materials throughout the interior.

The front seats are spacious, yet support nicely in hard cornering. The rear seats are larger than before and suitable for tolerant people of below average height.

Boot space is now enough to take two golf bags. It’s very easy to load through a large rear hatch.

We had the good fortune to road and track test the new Audi TT, the track work at the famed Phillip Island circuit. This is a scary track with very fast bends interspersed with hard braking for tight corners which follow long straights.

The second-generation Audi TT certainly showed its maturity by displaying impressive stability no matter how hard it was driven. Extra size, particularly in the wheelbase and track, can certainly transform a car.

Audi's TT is now a true sports coupe, not simply a good-looking hatchback. Yet it remains a fine cruiser that looks good on the way to, as well as outside, your favourite cafe.

The Audi TT model range, with prices (excluding on-road costs), is:
Coupe 2.0 TFSI: $68,900 (manual), $72,500 (S tronic)
Coupe 3.2 V6 quattro: $88,900 (S tronic)