RE: Audi TT Roadster: UK Drive

RE: Audi TT Roadster: UK Drive

Tuesday 19th February 2019

2020 Audi TT Roadster | UK Review

Can the updated TT make a splash in a sodden Great Britain?



We haven't had a go in the 'regular' TT since it received a mid-life facelift last summer. At the time Matt headed off to sample the TT S Coupe on a closed road on the Isle of Man, where he basked in the sunshine, ate an ice cream on the beach, and generally had a lovely time (it's true - MB). Fast forward to a bleak, rainy February day in Berkshire, and here we have 'just' a 45 TFSI TT Roadster to further examine. Such is life.

As a mid-range S-Line model our test car is fitted with plenty of additional standard kit, including 19-inch wheels (over the entry-level 'Sport' model's 18-inch items), leather and Alcantara-clad Super Sports seats, an exterior styling pack and LED lights all round. That's on top of the base car's Virtual Cockpit and Cruise Control, though other options seen here, like the Technology Package and Bang & Olufsen sound system, will set you back further. This means that the TT Roadster's entry price of £31,215 finds itself raised to a rather costlier £39,155 before the door is opened, putting it squarely in the sights of BMW's new Z4.


Headline figures for this model are 245hp and 273lb ft of torque from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, meaning 5.5 seconds to 62mph and a limited top speed of 155mph. Compared to the previous iteration that represents an increase in power of 15hp and a 0.1 second decrease in 0-62 time, this despite a 30kg increase in the Roadster's kerbweight. The S-Tronic transmission has also found another gear, now boasting seven versus the previous six.

To the road, then, where despite the weather there are some miles covered with the top dropped. Rude not to, right? Roof down motoring is, in fact, no problem; with the standard heated seats and Audi's £495 take on an Air Scarf cranked up to full, we're ready to go in perfect comfort, a theme which continues throughout the cabin. Some, a couple of my colleagues included, find the TT's cabin to be a little cramped, the driving position somewhat awkward. For more diminutively proportioned people such as myself, however, it's a lovely interior. Sitting low, it ensconces you in an environment of high quality contact points, crisp displays and good visibility. It's classic Audi.


Put your foot down and the TT does what all TTs do - it goes. Not with the speed of an S or the drama of an RS, of course, but still with enough gusto to get the job done. The EA888 engine has never been particularly characterful, and seems even less so in this application; same goes for feedback, with the steering and pedals being neither very communicative nor problematically muted. The chassis is compliant, though, ride quality is good and handling is sharp, with the TT Roadster eager to turn into a bend and, thanks to the magic of quattro, just as eager to haul you out again.

As it has been for quite some time, then, the TT is all very controlled, meaning that as a sports car it won't be to all tastes. It certainly doesn't offer the thrills of a GT86 or the engagement of a Boxster, nor does it feel as mature a proposition as that Z4. What it does provide, though, is an overwhelmingly competent way to enjoy a spirited drive, without necessarily possessing the ability, or requiring the effort, that can be the case in other cars. Those of an enthusiast bent may turn their noses up at such a proposition, but the truth is that sometimes a comfortable seat, a stable car and a bit of power under their right foot is all a person wants or needs.


Rumour has it that this could be the final generation of TT, with Audi supposedly set to replace the model with a four-door coupe a la the 2014 Sportback concept. Not everyone will miss it, if this is to be the case. Throughout its life the accusation has often been levelled that the TT is not a 'proper' driver's car, and if by that its critics mean that it never requires a driver to chase the revs, that its steering isn't particularly communicative or that its engine doesn't stir the soul, then they're right.

If, however, they're suggesting that the TT isn't a fun car to drive, that it can't quicken the pulse or put a smile on your face, then they're dead wrong. It's rare blend of intuitive design, accessible performance and sporting potential made it a success when it was launched, and continues to do so today. It'll be a real shame if this is the last we are to see of it in its current guise, but at least it'll be going out on a high.


SPECIFICATION - AUDI TT ROADSTER 45 TFSI QUATTRO S LINE S TRONIC

Engine: 1,984cc, turbocharged four-cyl
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 245@5,000-6,700rpm
Torque (lb ft): 273@1,600-4,300rpm
0-62mph: 5.5 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Weight: 1,530kg [EU, including 75kg driver]
MPG: 34.4
CO2: 164g/km
Price: £40,355 (price as standard, on-the-road for 45 TFSI S Line Roadster. Price as tested £47,460, comprised of Audi Sport TT RS Design wheel for £795, Storage Pack for £175, LED interior lighting pack for £270, Dynamic Road Sign Display for £155, Smartphone Interface for £400, Technology Package for £1,495, Parking system plus for £395, High beam assist for £160, Deluxe auto air-con for £550, Bang & Olufsen sound system for £895, Head level heating for £495, Wind deflector for £450, Pulse Orange paint for £575 and Black with Slate Grey interior trim for £295).








Author
Discussion

mersontheperson

Original Poster:

700 posts

164 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
That will make a mess of your cut and blow dry

Osinjak

5,453 posts

120 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
How original. Got any other examples of your razor sharp wit?

mrclav

1,281 posts

222 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
Osinjak said:
Got any other examples of your razor sharp wit?
Was that intentional irony? wink

lord trumpton

7,320 posts

125 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
Cut it out will you

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
Every post is barb(er)ed.


Fast and Spurious

1,295 posts

87 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
I'm confused, was it £39k or £47k?
Did someone take a haircut?

1781cc

575 posts

93 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
What on earth are Audi doing with their mode range? Killing the two door TT, killed the A1 and A3 3 doors in favor of sport backs (which are ugly imo) and cheapening the RS brand by slapping it on loads of undeserving cars!

LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

195 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
Y’know what? I can see a lot to like in one of these, more so than a souped up model TT.

As the writer acknowledges, for a lot of buyers it really is all they need. Bigger and more secure feeling than an MX5, subjectively better looking (what isn’t) than a Z4 and certainly more premium feeling than a lot of other manufactures efforts.

The elephant in the room might be the Boxster but as daft as it sounds, there are plenty of people who want the “sports car” experience without committing to actually owning a sports car.

For the occasional top down pootle back through country lanes from the pub for Sunday lunch this would do grand. The other 99% of the time it’s a simple to live with car.

I can see why people buy them.

lord trumpton

7,320 posts

125 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Y’know what? I can see a lot to like in one of these, more so than a souped up model TT.

As the writer acknowledges, for a lot of buyers it really is all they need. Bigger and more secure feeling than an MX5, subjectively better looking (what isn’t) than a Z4 and certainly more premium feeling than a lot of other manufactures efforts.

The elephant in the room might be the Boxster but as daft as it sounds, there are plenty of people who want the “sports car” experience without committing to actually owning a sports car.

For the occasional top down pootle back through country lanes from the pub for Sunday lunch this would do grand. The other 99% of the time it’s a simple to live with car.

I can see why people PCP them.
Efa


MikeGoodwin

3,323 posts

116 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
I know what every TT review on this site is going to say before I read it.

Verdict: Capable but lacks any soul

Gunter N

19 posts

97 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
For me my TT Mk3 provides me with what I want for late autumn to late spring driving. Will replace my TT with the inevitable run out model as they usher in the 4dr.

My toys for the late spring and summer are my MGB GT and Mk1 Golf GTi.

New car designers need to understand speed is not the bee all and end all. The golf puts a bigger smile on my face at 55- 60mph on my favourite back roads around here than the TT. No doubt whizzing round the Nurburgring would be more fun in the TT than the Golf though yet to try this in the TT still having too much fun in the Golf round the green hell.


RushDom

230 posts

93 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
I have one. Pre-facelift roadster, 2.0 TFSI quattro S-Tronic.

It's ace. Probably the best all-rounder I've ever driven and, being my only car, a first-rate daily driver.

The interior and technology are first rate. The engine is remarkably flexible, genuinely quick and sounds fantastic (no idea what this article is on about saying it lacks character...DPF filter I suspect due to WLTP?).

Steering feel is the only letdown, but the car itself handles remarkably well so it's not as big an issue as I thought it would be. I have never driven a Porsche Boxster so I live in blissful ignorance. I'm sure they're fantastic.

fullleather

227 posts

120 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
That 0/60 is quite surprising.....given the weight though I guess that's also down to the transmission/gearing setup.

JerryF

282 posts

173 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
Yet another VAG advert. How much are they paying for this?

PixelpeepS3

8,600 posts

141 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
my only criticism is there's not enough letters and numbers in the model name.

AUDI TT ROADSTER 45 TFSI QUATTRO S LINE S TRONIC

reminds me of the old ford Granada with the 2.8i Ghia x rubbish right across the boot..

Epiphany

375 posts

214 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
It just looks a bit boring to me. It doesn't look like it's changed enough over the years and looks like it's already out of date style wise to me.

J4CKO

41,284 posts

199 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
JerryF said:
Yet another VAG advert. How much are they paying for this?
PH had news of the new Focus ST yesterday, the day before that, another car, its a motoring websites and it brings us news about new cars, not sure why you think its Volkswagen Audi Group paying, did Ford pay yesterday ?

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
A pet peeve.

VAG <> Volkswagen Audi Group.

It stands for Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, or Volkswagen AG, hence VAG.

getmecoat

ogrodz

179 posts

119 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
Titty becomes more expensive Titty.

Just cant ever buy one of these.

Nors

1,291 posts

154 months

Tuesday 19th February 2019
quotequote all
I could be entirely wrong , but a chap I know who works for Audi says the TT will continue and the concept 4 door version is being canned.

The fact Audi will no longer have 2 door versions of the A1 & A3 means only the TT & R8 will come with 2 doors.

VW apparently doing the same with their Polo & Golf - no more 2 door versions.