Thursday 6th September 2018

Audi TT Quattro Sport: Spotted

The original TT wasn't for everyone, but the limited edition run-out model has wider appeal

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The Mk1 Audi TT has long been a divisive subject among car enthusiasts. Its simple design wasn't necessarily to everyone's taste, nor its habit of going very quickly in the most benign way possible (once its habit for spinning round and round very quickly had been corrected, of course). There are exceptions, though. The sight of the limited edition Quattro Sport, for example, which ought to have the car's critics doing their own version of an abrupt about face.

Tasked with fulfilling the first generation TT's potential in a run-out edition ahead of the Mk2's launch, the Quattro Sport stuck to a tried and tested formula: more power, less weight. Naturally, the job was handed over to the performance specialists at quattro GmbH who set about turning the 225hp put out by its 1.8-litre inline-four into 240hp, then bringing its 1,440kg curb weight down to 1,390kg by removing the rear seats, parcel shelf, spare tyre and climate control.

Additionally, they added a brace bar to increase torsional rigidity, fatter rear tyres to up the traction, relocated the battery to the back of the car to improve balance, and added stiffer, lower suspension to enhance the handling. To top it all off they wrapped it in the body kit from the range-topping V6 model, added a set of very pretty multi-spoke wheels, chucked some Recaro bucket seats inside, and painted the roof black.

The result was 0-62 in 5.9 seconds - a couple of tenths better than standard - and a limited top speed of 155mph. It wasn't just about the on paper performance, though, with both real world pace and driver engagement also greatly improved by quattro GmbH's modifications.

The ad for today's Spotted is rather lacking in detail, but the salient facts are all there. Just 64,000 miles makes this a remarkably fresh example, and a fiver under ten grand isn't an unreasonable valuation. The photos show it to be an immaculately preserved example, too, with the Misano Red paint still good as new and the interior, wheels and trim all apparently unscathed.

Only 800 examples were made for the UK market, with Howmanyleft estimating that just 574 remain. That rarity, combined with its reputation for being at the pointiest end of the Mk1 TT range, make it hard to imagine its values becoming much softer. Priced from £29,335 new, the Quattro Sport may not have depreciated to the same extent as standard TTs, then, but even at its current price it still represents arguably better value for money.

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SPECIFICATION - AUDI TT QUATTRO SPORT

Engine: 1,781cc, 4-cylinder, turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 240@5,700rpm
Torque (lb ft): 236@2,300-5,000rpm
MPG: 30.1
CO2: N/A
First registered: 2006
Recorded mileage: 64,000
Price new: £29,335
Yours for: £9,995

See the original ad here.

[David87]

I had one of these years ago and it was actually a pretty decent car. I haven’t driven any other Mk1 TT so I don’t know how much better it is, but it was a pretty nice package. Mine wasn’t the best example and it was black, which was a shame as you lost the lovely contrast roof and the painted Recaro seat backs didn’t stand out as much. The red is what I really wanted!

[David87]

Welshbeef said:

There was a thread recently about a white one of these with an MOt fail list pages long for IIRC £6k. Cat D too .... as such you’d be pretty bold to buy that one over this given repair cost is significantly more than the price difference.

Only 800 ever made too so really appealing.

They never made them in white. I'm pretty sure the 800 cars were split evenly between silver, red, blue and black.