Review of the new Audi TT 2.0 TFSI

For a long time, astute buyers have fingered the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine as the best unit in the Audi TT range. The big V6 added a lot of weight to the front end of this compact sportscar and the generally fantastic 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine which now tops the range in the RS model isn't particularly affordable. The diesel is a nice choice if low running costs are an essential but if you're looking for an engine that gives the TT some real bite without breaking the bank, the 2.0 TFSI has always been hard to see past.

This is an engine that has been used extensively across the Audi range and throughout the wider VW Group empire. Buyers have been able to specify it in models as diverse as the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the SEAT Altea MPV and the Audi A6 executive saloon, so it's adept in a variety of roles but what's it like in a specialist sportscar like the TT?

The TT gets the latest version of the long-serving 2.0 TFSI engine with the turbocharger, variable valve timing and direct fuel injection system combining for a 209bhp peak power output. Crucially to the driving experience, that maximum shove is achieved at a comparatively low 4,300rpm and available all the way through to 6,000rpm. Prior to that, the engine delivers its best torque of 350Nm from 1,600rpm up to 4,200rpm.

What all this means is that, while 2.0 TFSI TT might not have the screaming top end of some sportscars, its performance is highly accessible throughout a major chunk of the rev range. Acceleration is piled on in a highly progressive manner without a hint of turbo lag and it all goes to make 2.0 TFSI TTs extremely easy and rewarding to drive. For the record, 0-62mpg takes 6.1s and there's a 152mph top speed to be reached all ends up.

".the availability of strong acceleration through almost the whole of the rev-range makes for an infectious driving experience"

The finer points of the TT 2.0 TFSI's character will hinge on how the car is specified. In standard form, it gets a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel-drive but the S Tronic dual clutch gearbox with it's wheel-mounted paddle shifters is a highly desirable option and beyond that, there's the possibility of quattro all-wheel-drive. This will appeal to keen drivers looking to extend the TT's limits of grip.

A further possibility is presented by Audi's Magnetic Ride adaptive damper technology. This option allows the driver to select Sport or Normal modes for a firmer or more comfortable ride depending on the driving conditions. Magnetic Ride can also be accompanied by the Sport button as debuted on the TT RS: this also adapts the engine note, the power steering and the throttle response (on manual cars only) for a livelier feel.

The TT has always had style on its side in the battle to win sales from the other compact sports cars around at its price point. The latest models sharpen-up their looks with an aggressive front bumper design incorporating larger air intakes and a diffuser integrated into the more subtly restyled bumper at the rear.

The cabin of the TT retains the special feel that has marked the TT out since the word go. Yes, visibility is less than panoramic but that fascia still feels smart, with greater use of classy aluminium finishes than ever. The current generation car borrows from the original TT's design, with the chrome-ringed speedo and rev counter housed in their own cowl and the round air vents, but also adds a few contemporary design touches such as the gorgeous flat-bottomed steering wheel, the angled centre console and a sporty seating position. There's decent luggage space but space in the back seats could still be generously described as woeful.

In the TT Roadster, a clever Z-fold system means that the rigid forward section of the roof folds down on top of the remainder, eliminating the need for a tonneau - so often the inelegant engineering solution on convertible cars. What's more, the roof operates in a mere 12 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 30mph.

These days, the 2.0 TFSI engine is the core unit in the Audi TT model range. A version of this engine with power jacked-up to 268bhp is also installed in the TTS models but it's the standard 209bhp cars we're interested in here. They come in Coupe and Roadster bodystyles with the choice of Sport or S Line trim levels.

In Sport trim, there's leather and Alcantara upholstery, 17" alloy wheels and a 9-speaker stereo as well as climate control, a trip computer and front fog lights. The S Line adds sports suspension that's 10mm lower, sports seats, Xenon headlights with LED running lights and a host of styling upgrades. The price differential between the two is around £2,000 which is quite a leap but pricing for the TT is surprisingly reasonable compared to rivals like the Nissan 370Z, Alfa Romeo Brera and BMW Z4, helped in part by the TT's entry-level front-wheel-drive versions.

Owning a TT 2.0 TFSI shouldn't put you through undue financial hardship. Far from it. Considering the performance that's on offer, both economy and emissions look very strong at 42.8mpg and 154g/km respectively. The engine's advanced combustion process is the driving force behind this impressive efficiency but it's also possible to specify Audi's 'recuperation' system which recovers kinetic energy at the wheel to charge the battery.

An on-board computer keeps drivers up to date with the car's fuel consumption. It also incorporates features to help them drive in a more efficient manner including an optimum gear change indicator and information on how vehicle systems such as the climate control system are consuming energy.

If the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine turned out to be a bit of a stinker, it would put a major dent in the prospects of the Audi TT. There was, of course, no real danger of that happening with this engine being used extensively in a wide variety of other VW Group models and the TT's version featuring the very latest technology aimed at enhancing economy and performance. There's no better 2.0-litre turbo unit and it looks certain to carry the TT on to bigger and better things.

This may not be the aurally charismatic, free-revving engine that the purists might want in their compact sports cars but the smooth way it piles on its power and the availability of strong acceleration through almost the whole of the rev-range makes for an infectious driving experience. It excels when the road opens out but is also user-friendly in everyday conditions.

TOP 5 TT DEALS

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Audi TT 2.0T FSI Sport 2dr [2011] Coupe
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