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By
ALISTAIR KENNEDY
18 August 2008
Audi has given its TT coupe the ‘S’
treatment. Thus it has even more distinctive styling, as well as
extra performance with a sportier edge. The addition of the TTS to
the range means that all Audi passenger cars now have an ‘S’
sport variant.
From
front-on the most noticeable of the ‘S’ features in the TTS
are the LED daytime running lights, similar to those that made
their Australian debut in the Audi S5 and R8 models earlier this
year. These are a string of small lights that underline the
bi-xenon headlamps and remain on whenever the engine is running.
The line of lights is matched by the turn indicators contained in
the silver side mirrors. Continuing the silver theme are quad
exhaust pipes.
The
Audi TTS uses an uprated version of the multi-award winning
2.0-litre turbo unit. The extra turbo boost lifts power to 200 kW,
and torque to 350 Nm that’s there from 2500 to 5000. Combine
this grunt with the car’s lightweight aluminium/steel hybrid
construction and the TTS Coupe can jump from zero to 100 km/h in
just 5.2 seconds.
Both TTS models have Audi’s permanent quattro all-wheel drive as
well as a magnetic
ride active damping system which provides a choice of a
well-balanced, comfortable ride (in Standard mode) or a Sport mode
which lowers the body by 10 millimeters for more dynamic handling.
Two
six-speed transmission options are offered, a conventional manual
and S tronic, a direct-shift, dual-clutch automated manual, also a
six-speed. Such is the speed and precision of the S tronic
gearshifts that its 0-100 km/h acceleration is actually 0.2
seconds faster than with manual shifts in the conventional manual
‘box.
Gear
changes can be made using either the gear lever or steering wheel
mounted shift paddles. Adding to the enjoyment of the S tronic is
the distinctive pop from the exhaust when moving up the gears. If
ever there was a car that would make the driving purist switch
from manual to automatic gearboxes the Audi TTS S tronic could
just be it.
We
were able to test the Audi TTS on a 300-km route out of Melbourne,
with the added treat of spending time on the Phillip Island race
track. Acceleration is fast and smooth with the turbocharger
kicking in early and with virtually no lag. Handling is precise
with plenty of grip on the sharp Phillip Island turns. The
suspension is firm but comfortable and the brakes reassuringly
strong.
Inside
the TTS there’s good space in the front seats with reasonable
headroom because of the low seat position. The coupe does have two
rear seats although they’re small and basically just there for
emergency use, while the TTS Roadster is strictly a two-seater.
The coupe’s rear seats are split-folding to expand boot space
from its normal 290 litres up to 700 litres. The boot of the
Roadster can take 250 litres regardless of whether the roof is up
or down. The latter can be raised and lowered at speeds up to 30
km/h in just 12 seconds.
Interior
styling includes leather-trimmed sports seat and a distinctive
flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel, also with leather trim.
The Symphony sound system includes a six-disc CD player that is
MP3-compatible.
The
second generation TT, released here late 2006, began the
transformation of the car from one that was great to look at and
to be seen in, to one that was exciting to drive. The addition of
the TTS completes that process. Without sacrificing any of its
beauty it is now a genuine sports machine capable of mixing it
with the best in its field.
The
new Audi TTS models cost around $25,000 more than the
corresponding TT models, with the top-of-the-range TTS Roadster S
tronic variant inching past the $100,000 mark. Think of it as
being significantly cheaper than a Porsche Cayman or Boxster and
the price-tag makes a lot of sense.
The
complete Audi TT range, with prices (excluding on-road costs), is:
TT
Coupe 2.0 TFSI: $68,900 (manual), $72,900 (S tronic)
TT
Coupe 3.2 quattro: $89,400 (S tronic)
TT
Roadster 2.0 TFSI: $77,900 (S tronic)
TT
Roadster 3.2 quattro: $93,300 (S tronic)
TTS
Coupe 2.0 TFSI: $92,900 (manual), $96,500 (S tronic)
TTS
Roadster 2.0 TFSI: $97,100 (manual), $100,700 (S tronic)
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Marque Publishing Company
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