Review of the new Audi TTS

Here's a question. What does the Audi TT mean to you? For me it's easy to sum up. It's a stylish car that tends to be bought by people without a great deal of imagination. In other words, it's a label, a safe bet to make its owner look and feel good.

Emboldened by the success of the R8 supercar, Audi is feeling a little edgier these days. It no longer wants the TT to be the predictable go-to proposition. It has ambition. That ambition is embodied in the shape of the TTS, a model that punted the TT into uncharted waters, its 270bhp power output giving it some serious attitude. The task that faces the TTS should not be underestimated though. Going upmarket puts it right in the face of some very talented competitors. Available in both Coupe and Roadster guises, it needs to get the basics right first.

The engine that powers the TT is a big step in the right direction. The 2.0-litre Turbo FSI engine has already won countless awards including International Engine of the Year in less powerful trim but here it is unleashed in full. A 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and four wheel drive may not be original but it's a template that has produced some iconic sports cars down the years. The 60mph benchmark is 5.0 seconds away in the manual TTS Coupe, with the top speed pegged at 155mph. Choose the S tronic dual clutch sequential transmission and that figure is shaved down to 4.8 seconds; serious pace by virtually any measure.

Power is nothing without control and reworked power steering, beefier brakes and Audi's magnetic ride adaptive damping system are standard fit items. The magnetic ride is particularly interesting with electromagnets in the dampers changing the viscosity of the damper fluid in an instant, ironing out pitch and roll while retaining ride comfort. An aluminium and steel Audi Space Frame body shell keeps weight pared back for improved agility. Body rigidity on the Roadster is particularly impressive.

The Audi TT is, by now, a known quantity. The revisions that were wrought with the second generation car in 2006 have eased in nicely and while the TT is no longer quite as edgy as the original, it's undoubtedly a handsome thing. The TTS takes handsome and adds some battle dress. In addition to the 'S' insignia (the first TT to be given the honour), the TTS gets bi-xenon headlights that incorporate the LED strip daytime running lights which are becoming a feature of many seriously quick Audis. Deeper side skirts and exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels are also standard as are four tailpipes protruding from an extended diffuser at the back.

"The TTS' formula of all-wheel drive and a 2.0-litre turbo engine has plenty of sporting pedigree"

If you're feeling flush, you can upgrade to a 19-inch wheel option and the S-tronic gearbox is also a tempting box to tick when specifying your TTS. Inside there are deep-set Alcantara and leather sports seats, exclusive 'S' instruments with white needles, metal pedals and aluminium trim elements. There remains very little space in the back of the Coupe for anything other than babies or bags although the boot is at least a useful size. Visibility out of the car is also much better than the original TT.

Just the two TTS models exist, Coupe and Roadster, although it's almost worth considering four models given that the S tronic gearbox alters the car's fundamental character quite so markedly. Equipment levels are strong, at around £3,000 less than you'd pay for a Porsche Cayman with only 245bhp, while if you want a BMW Z4 with the same amount of grunt, you'll need to find another £10,000 for the 'M' versions. In this class, only Nissan's faster-depreciating 370Z offers more power for less. Of course, the TTS is no longer even the top performing TT and buyers with a real need for speed will be interested in the range-topping TT RS model which has 340bhp.

Like most TT models, the TTS isn't going to be a nightmare to run. Fuel consumption for the manual Coupe averages 29.7mpg while the Roadster is only slightly thirstier at 29.3mpg. Specify the S tronic gearbox and economy improves marginally. This compares very well with those cars that use a bigger capacity normally-aspirated engine to achieve their power figures. The TTS's smooth swell of torque (350NM between 2,500 and 5,000rpm) means that you won't need to mercilessly gun the engine to make decent progress, keeping fuel economy reasonable in the process. Insurance is likely to be par for the course and the 2.0T FSI engine's reliability record thus far has been impeccable.

For a long time, many industry observers have wondered what the TT could be like if Audi really gave it its head. A tantalising insight was offered by the rather special two seat 240bhp TT quattro Sport coupe launched in 2005. The TTS highlights both the capability of the chassis and the scope of the brilliant 2.0T FSI engine.

Getting serious drivers to take the TTS at face value against the best that Porsche can build may well be Audi's biggest challenge. Where the R8 succeeded was in offering a stand-alone, rather bespoke model offering. The TTS will always be a hotted up TT up against entry-level models from Stuttgart. Perhaps the arcane internal politics of Germany's car industry will find a way to ease its task.

TOP 5 TT DEALS

The results below show the top TT deals on buyacar

Audi TT 2.5T FSI TT RS Quattro 2dr [2011] Rs Roadster
Price £43,139 Read TT Reviews	Save £3,271
Audi TT 2.5T FSI TT RS Quattro 2dr [2011] Rs Coupe
Price £41,364 Read TT Reviews	Save £3,106
Audi TT 2.0T FSI Sport 2dr S Tronic [2011] Coupe
Price £25,912 Read TT Reviews	Save £2,013
Audi TT 2.5T FSI TT RS Quattro 2dr Rs Coupe
Price £42,652 Read TT Reviews	Save £1,568
Audi TT 1.8T FSI Sport 2dr [2011] Roadster
Price £23,639 Read TT Reviews	Save £1,801
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