Audi TT quattro Sport | Spotted

Time hasn't necessarily been kind to every stripe of Mk1 TT. But the quattro Sport stands apart...

With enough of it under the bridge, time has been very kind to the first generation Audi TT. A car plagued by woefully outdated stereotypes when it first hit showrooms (we all remember that Clarkson review, right?), has arguably (finally) been appreciated for what it always set out to be: a simple sports car, albeit with era-defining styling.

Accordingly, as the humble coupe cosies up with modern classic status, you may be on the lookout for a clean example before the prices start to achieve a really steep pitch. You could go down the affordable route with a simple 1.8 T - which sticks close to the TT’s proof of concept - or add a little punch with the 3.2-litre VR6 motor plucked from the VW Golf R32.

However, might I suggest this rather brilliant TT Quattro Sport. Admittedly, to the layman, it doesn’t look like anything special, sharing the same overall look as the 3.2 Quattro, albeit with a gloss black roof and different 18-inch multi-spoke wheels. But peel back those muscular arches and Audi’s hard work begins to reveal itself. The suspension was stiffened up, a rear strut brace was bolted in and the battery was relocated to the boot for better weight distribution. It also went on a diet, with the removal of the rear seats, parcel shelf and spare wheel. Sure, it was no lightweight at a smidgen under 1,400kg, but a 75kg reduction over the regular TT coupe was respectable enough.

Moreover, if there was ever a TT to make you feel like you’re in something special, it’s the quattro Sport. An Alcantara-trim steering wheel and a chunky brace in place of the rear seats give off the faintest whiff of 911 GT3 (not a coincidence), but the real highlight here is the Recaro Pole Position seats. These were optional, a box the original owner of this car thankfully ticked, with standard leather seats available for those averse to fun. Though less visible on this Avus Silver example, the backs of the seats are body colour. Again, very Porsche.

Given that the quattro Sport was, essentially, designed to be the ultimate evolution of the TT before the arrival of the Mk2, it’s perhaps strange that the smaller, turbocharged 1.8-litre motor was chosen over the naturally aspirated VR6. Nevertheless, with a bit of work, Audi managed to extract 240hp from the 1.8T, just 10hp shy of the 3.2 - and, crucially, it came with an 88kg advantage. Sure, it’s not the most tuneful motor, though the good news is you get to manage the gears yourself through a six-speed manual ‘box. No DSG here.

Granted, we drove one a few years back and found it a tad wallowy in the corners and lacking in communication through the steering wheel. But don’t let that put you off. There’s still a satisfying, seven-tenths car to be had here, one that'll give you an air of sportiness without shaking you to pieces on a lumpy road. This example may seem a tad expensive for a Mk1 at £13,890, but this is one of the cleanest examples we’ve seen in a long time. Plus it comes with pristine Recaro seats. Classic status surely beckons, so if you’ve ever been tempted by a quattro Sport, now is possibly the ideal time.

SPECIFICATION | AUDI TT QUATTRO SPORT

Engine: 1,781cc, turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 240@5,700rpm
Torque (lb ft): 236@2,300-5,000rpm
MPG: 30.1
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 2006
Recorded mileage: 82,000
Price new: £29,335
Yours for: £13,890

See the original advert here

OP Posts Only

Prev 2 3 4 5 Next

OP Posts Only

Author

Discussion

mersontheperson

Original Poster

732 posts

195 months