2015 Audi TT Roadster (Mk3) | Review

Openly sporty shades at the ready for a drive in the new TT cabrio

Don't be fooled by the press images here. Majorca at the start of February was a total washout. Bitterly cold, horribly wet and incessantly windy, it was not a great day for testing a new cabriolet. But for driving a new Audi quattro, with the promise of "some oversteer in some situations" from Dr Hackenberg himself? Now we have a story.

So unfortunately I can tell you nothing about the TT Roadster roof down. I couldn't even tell you where the roof button is in all honesty, it really was that wet. A promo film featuring one openly sporty gent and a very sunny Majorca reminded all in attendance that the fabric roof can be raised or lowered in 10 seconds at up to 31mph. The luggage capacity is 280 litres in either configuration. It can also be stated with considerable authority that the roof does not leak.

A day with the TT Roadster in coupe form does show it to be very refined though. Having not driven a coupe yet it's impossible to be conclusive but it would be surprising to find the cabrio significantly louder. The rain makes a gentle pitter patter on canvas rather than the tink-tink it would make on metal but otherwise all is well. There is perhaps a little more wind noise around the top of the windscreen than you might expect.

Ulrich Hackenberg's comments on the TT's dynamics should be further elaborated on. He was keen to stress the importance of neutrality on a sports car chassis, that too much understeer is a bad thing. Obvious perhaps but not always guaranteed with a fast Audi. Keys were distributed with Dr H adamant that we could "steer the car [TT S] on the gas." We like a challenge...

And you know what? It is possible. Look elsewhere for lurid 4WD antics but the TT Roadster isn't the borefest you may expect. Certainly the conditions helped; in the dry its purchase on the road would surely be unimpeachable but slippery Majorcan tarmac revealed a more playful side. Turn-in needn't be too aggressive but early application of the throttle will see the nose push on and then power distributed rearwards pretty swiftly. The traction control's Sport mode has a reasonably liberal threshold, allowing small dabs of corrective lock before intervening. Given the conditions everything off hardly seemed wise. Regardless, it was rather good fun. Dr Hackenberg was indeed right. Whatever next?

The rest of the dynamic package is a little more hit and miss. All TTs have Progressive Steering which means 'the ratio becomes more direct as the steering wheel is turned' and the assistance is varied. It's not as disconcerting as that may sound, the car never darting unexpectedly and also allowing hands to remains at nine and three'o'clock on the wheel almost the entire time. But (and you knew this was coming, didn't you?), it's always too light and never gives a great idea of what the road surface is doing. It doesn't detract significantly from the experience but the pervading artificialness of the steering doesn't enhance the TT either. Shame.

While we're on gripes it could be argued the powertrain isn't the most exciting for a sports car. Perhaps because it's so familiar from hot hatch installations the 2.0-litre turbo/six-speed DSG combo doesn't feel that special. Oh sure, it parps on upshifts, responds instantly to gear requests and does the requisite numbers but certain rivals are more engaging. In a sports car you want to chase every rev to wring out performance, surely? See Boxster and BRZ for example. With that great wad of torque from 1,800rpm there's no incentive to do that in the TT. Yes, it's an ideological grumble rather than any great mechanical flaw but for nearly £40,000 the engine can sometimes feel a little ordinary.

However, before this sounds like a tirade against the TT S, there remains plenty to like. It rides nicely, for example. Audi's magnetic dampers are standard on the S with all three modes (Auto, Comfort and Sport) usable on the road. The majority of the test route was very smooth but the TT dealt with imperfections well, retaining a commendable level of control and compliance throughout. The structure too feels admirably stiff too, with no sense of wobble or shake in our day on the road. It will be interesting to see the sales split between the coupe and Roadster because, on this test, there seems little sacrifice for your openly sporting aspirations.

The brakes aren't grabby, the driving position is good, the interior is fabulous and the outside looks great even when the roof has to stay up. All day. It's a predictably pleasant Audi. Quelle surprise.

And what of the other TTs? There was also opportunity to drive the TDI and TSI front-wheel drive models, the latter expected to be the biggest seller over here. Many were speculating on the TSI being the 'sweet spot' of the TT Roadster range and that may well be the case in the sunshine. In the rain the quattro S was noticeably more enjoyable though; the front-wheel drive cars don't have bad traction but they lack the fancy VAQ 'diff' and consequently rely on the electronics a little too much. Again, they will be fine for many customers without ever providing the most memorable drive. The diesel will surely prove very popular with its low CO2, plentiful torque and so on. Don't ever select the 'Dynamic' engine sound however. Yuck.

So the TT Roadster is playing to the strengths it has always possessed while adding a couple more dynamic strings to its bow. Enthusiasts will continue to look elsewhere for the best convertible thrills but as a year-round package it's now even harder to beat.

SPECIFICATION | 2015 AUDI TT S ROADSTER (Mk3)
Engine: 1,984cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, four-wheel drive (6-speed S Tronic dual-clutch optional)
Power (hp): 310@5,800-6,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 280@1,800-5,700rpm
0-62mph: 5.2sec (4.9sec)
Top speed: 155mph (limited)
Weight: 1,525kg (1,545kg, unladen weight plus 75kg driver)
MPG: 38.7 (40.9, NEDC combined)
CO2: 169g/km (159g/km)
Price: £41,085 (£42,455)
(Figures in brackets for S Tronic)

SPECIFICATION | 2015 AUDI TT TDI ULTRA ROADSTER (Mk3)
Engine: 1,968cc 4-cyl turbodiesel
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 184@3,500-4,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 280@1,750-3,250rpm
0-62mph: 7.3sec
Top speed: 147mph
Weight: 1,395kg (unladen weight plus 75kg driver)
MPG: 65.7 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 114g/km
Price: From £31,955

SPECIFICATION | 2015 AUDI TT TSI ROADSTER (Mk3)
Engine: 1,984cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive (6-speed S Tronic dual-clutch optional)
Power (hp): 230@4,500-6,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 272@1,600-4,300rpm
0-62mph: 6.2sec (5.6sec)
Top speed: 155mph (limited)
Weight: 1,395kg (1,500kg, unladen weight plus 75kg driver)
MPG: 47.1 (42.2, NEDC combined)
CO2: 140g/km (154g/km)
Price: From £32,045 (£35,055)
(Figures in brackets for S Tronic Quattro model. MPG for FWD car with 18-inch wheels, Quattro on 19s)

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mrclav

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