Audi TT road test: Curvy number scores big hit

Sharon Walters takes out an Audi TT for a trip and falls in love with the curvy number.

Remember Icelandic songstress Bjork's big hit of 1995? No? Well, it was It's Oh So Quiet.

So whatever can the link be between that song and the latest Audi TT?

She starts off singing softly:

"It's. Oh. So quiet

It's. Oh. So still

You're all alone

And so peaceful until..."

And then wham bam straight into a blistering vocal explosion with:

"You fall in love.

Zing boom

The sky up above

Zing boom

Is caving in"

And it was a little like that when I first drove the third-generation Audi TT. A nice curvy little number from the outside, understated and quiet. But step inside, switch on the engine and wind up the sound system and it was a bit of "zing boom".

With it's revolutionary all-digital cockpit, this is a car that does shake you up - just like falling in love in Bjork's hit.

There's a choice of engines and I tasted the 230PS in the 2.0 TFSI quattro S line S tronic. A bit of a mouthful but it encapsulates the car perfectly.

[breakout title="Facts on test car:" align="right"]

Audi TT Coupé 2.0 TFSI quattro S line 230PS S tronic

Top speed: 155mp

O-62mph: 5.3 seconds

Combined fuel economy: 42.8mpg

CO2 emissions: 153 g/km

Tax band: G

Basic on road price: £34,545. With options added £42,195[/breakout]

This engine is quite simply superb and while some traditionalists might like the option of a 'proper' manual box the S-tronic is very responsive and works like magic. The TT is light and nimble and all of its electronic systems help make the drive even better. Now the car is very quiet but you can get a thrill with power sounds by operating a sound actuator which feeds 'sporty' sounds into the cabin when you drive enthusiastically.

You can also control the degree of steering assistance via the standard Audi drive select adaptive driving system. Offering Comfort, Dynamic, Efficiency, Individual and Auto modes, Audi drive select can also influence the operating parameters of the engine, the S tronic transmission and, when Efficiency mode is selected, the operation of the air conditioning and start-stop system.

In time-honoured fashion, quattro permanent all-wheel drive delivers additional high speed composure and traction in the new Audi TT, but the multi-plate clutch-based system has evolved alongside the iconic sports car. A newly designed hydraulic pump reduces weight by around 1.5 kg compared with the previous model, and the software that determines the level of torque distribution between the front and rear axles in a split second has been completely redeveloped. The innovative control system continuously senses the ambient conditions, driving status and the driver's wishes and adjusts torque distribution accordingly in real time.

While the outside looks a little understated and rather classy, it is inside that truly impresses (apart from the drive!).

Infotainment controls and virtually everything interface-related have been moved in front of the driver, in a new Audi Virtual Cockpit display that uses a 12.3-inch high-contrast display, steering-wheel toggles, voice controls, and an MMI Touch scratch pad down at the centre console.

The LCD display completely fills the driver's instrument binnacle and replaces the traditional analogue dials. Its brilliantly sharp images are courtesy of a powerful Tegra 30 graphics processor from Nvidia's Tegra 3 series.

Drivers can choose between two display modes: In the classic view, the speedometer and rev counter are in the foreground; in "infotainment" mode the virtual instruments are smaller.

Switching from one to the other is a simple finger movement. The space that becomes free as a result provides ample room for other functions, such as the navigation map. My car had the option (£1,795) Technology Package with Audi Connect which allows, among other things, the 3D mapping facility to fill almost the entire screen when needed. And switching to this is very useful - it shows up clearly just where you are and what's around you. The same package also includes the Audi connect suite of services, such as Google Earth, Twitter, online news, the cheapest fuel prices and other useful information like plane and train times. At the lower edge of the Audi virtual cockpit, the displays for outside temperature, time and mileage are permanently visible. Warning or information symbols are also displayed there.

[taboola]

Standard features on the TT include keyless start and keyless entry, cruise control, remote locking, an alarm system, a HomeLink garage-door opener, a rear parking sensor system, and automatic wipers and headlamps. TTS models add the higher power engine, the magnetic ride suspension, wheel and brake upgrades, front and rear parking sensors, and Audi side assist.

My S line specification also had as standard all-weather LED headlights and tail lights as well as the no-cost option of 10mm lower suspension, plus various S line specific styling enhancements inside and out. It also had as an option (£1,590) of the Comfort and Sound package which included a magnificent Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system. I could have (in fact, I have to confess that I did) sat in it just listening to music!

There's plenty of space in front but the claim of 2+2 is a little optimistic. To be fair you could get two smallish adults in the back for short journeys in comfort and two children would be no problem. A big plus for this TT is the spacious boot for the size of car. I hate to say the TT is a bit of a tardis but it is. Once sitting inside you appear to have far more room than looks available from the outside and that boot is a surprise.

Pricing for the TT start from £27,150 on-the-road.

My View: A fantastic package of technology, understated good looks and great driveability.