Iconic is what Audi calls the TT coupe and roadster. The TT models, now available with either the 3.2 liter V-6 or various 1.8 turbo engines, have certainly proved popular. Initially, it was the fashion-conscious young stockbrokers who couldn’t afford a Porsche who lapped up the style of the TT. Later the popularity spread, but more among those who wanted something different and compact than those seeking a small sports car.
Audi has worked hard to improve the road performance of the car, and the addition of the quattro models made a big difference. Then came the 3.2 with the VW Group’s ultra compact 3.2 liter V-6 and superb DSG gearbox.
Rounded looks
But what about those looks? Audi wanted to get away from the swoop-nose sports car look, and had to work on the Golf underbody which didn’t make the job any easier. So, they opted for a short and round look – a bit like a lengthened and squashed Noddy car – especially the roadster. The coupe has a svelte fastback which improves the looks a lot.
With front-wheel drive and strut front suspension, the TT didn’t seem to have the ideal set-up for a sports car, but it is a fine open 2+2. Now, the best models are the 240 bhp 1.8 liter turbo – recently upped from 225 bhp - and the 260 bhp 3.2 liter; in fact, there is not much to choose between the two for performance because the V-6 engine weighs quite a bit more than the smaller four-cylinder job. You buy the V6 if you want the torque and a lazier style of driving, but the turbo 4 for all-out go.
1.8 turbo accelerates better than the V-6
Both are capable of 155 mph – and are governed to that speed – but whereas the turbo 1.8 can rattle up to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, the V-6 takes about 6.3 seconds. Ho-hum, there must be quite a weight penalty, or maybe that narrow angle V-6 isn’t as good as it should be you’re thinking. It’s not because of the DSG box, because the Golf GTI accelerates more quickly with DSG than manual – by about half a second to 60 mph.
There is quite a difference in the weight: the 240 bhp turbo 4 has had its weight pared down to 3,130 lb (1,416 kg) against the 3,348 lb (1,520 kg) of the V-6. Neither car is particularly light, partly because of the extra weight of four-wheel drive.
You might expect the V-6 to produce more torque and therefore more oomph than the V-6, and normally you’d be right. But the turbo engine has been designed to gives stacks of torque, and the result is that it pumps out 235 lb ft (320 Nm) all the way from 2,300 rpm to 5,000 rpm. The V-6 can match that torque, but only at 2,800-3,3200 rpm.
The fact is that the VW Group is now producing turbo engines with masses of low-end torque and hence the good performance of car with the smaller engine. In many respects, the small turbo is the match of a bigger engine without turbo.
Because the TT is based on the Golf underbody, it has a stiff body with strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension, with coil springs, conventional dampers and anti-roll bars. To reduce weight a bit, the hood is aluminum.
Multi-plate clutch to control four-wheel drive
To allow the four-wheel drive system to adjust to conditions, the center differential takes the form of a multi-plate clutch under electronic control, which slips to adjust the torque between front and rear wheels. There are the usual electronics, including stability control, and an electronic differential lock.
The trump card of the 3.2 V-6 TT is its DSG gearbox, which has two paddles for shifting on the steering wheel – albeit rather small paddles. This semi-automatic box allows the driver to change up or down in 0.02 seconds – just two-hundredths of a second – with amazing smoothness and no loss of power during the shifts. Over most roads the DSG improves the performance a lot, and makes driving less tiring. A great combination.
Smart the TT may be, but it doesn’t quite cut the mustard when it comes to offering true sports car performance. Nevertheless, it has a lot of good features, and is a wholly practical car.
