Audi TT Roadster spotted
Soft-top version of well-received coupe
Audi TT Coupe
The new TT is 137 mm longer than its predecessor at 4,178 mm, and 78 mm wider at 1,842 mm. The body is constructed using the Audi-developed ASF Space Frame design, consisting of aluminium and steel, the first time that it has combined different materials alongside each other. Sixty-nine per cent of the superstructure is made of aluminium. The steel components making up the remaining 31 per cent are to be found at the rear end, with the aim, says Audi, of balancing distribution of axle loads. Steel is cheaper too, of course.
Two petrol engines are available, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TFSI unit featuring FSI direct injection develops 200bhp and drives the front wheels only. With a six-speed manual gearbox, it accelerates the TT to 62mph in 6.4 seconds, reaching a top speed of 150mph. The naturally aspirated 3.2-litre V6 engine drives all four wheels, develops 250bhp, hits 62mph from rest in 5.7 seconds and has a top speed of 156mph (electronically governed).
Both engines are equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox. On request they can be combined with the dynamic S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox.
According to Audi, the suspension was newly developed and tuned for the TT and features self-steering behaviour up to the handling limits, which range from neutral to light understeer. The rear suspension uses a multi-link arrangement.
The track enlargement, with larger wheels ranging from 16 to 19 inches in size, and extensive changes in the area of elastokinematics were key areas of the developers’ work, said Audi.
The magnetic ride damper system is available as an option. In this system, tiny magnetic particles circulate in the oil inside the shock absorbers. When a voltage is applied to them, they alter the damping characteristics within milliseconds. Audi says it means the adaptive system "simultaneously ensures high levels of ride comfort and thoroughly sporty dynamism, according to the specific driving scenario and the preferences of the driver".
Inside the cabin is beautiful, very well executed and a big improvement on the old one if that is possible.
I actually considered it against my 2005 Porshe Boxster as it has more space, is more refined and quite fast.
Only thing is it doesn't put the same smile on my face as the Porsche does, so I'm off looking at 996 Carrera 4's tomorrow!
First impressions on the motorway, even in rain, was how stable the car felt at all speeds. The controls and steering were perfectly weighted to make it a good long distance cruiser whilst still keeping me interested. I have got the manual seats, and after a long journey there were some signs of lower back ache, but otherwise no problems.
Around London, the most noticeable positives were the light steering and tiny turning circle, making the car very manouverable. The torquey engine is great for pulling away in higher gears to save on having to continual work the gearbox in stop start traffic. Also the car got quite a lot of attention, which was pleasing.
Overall the trip was very enjoyable, whilst being quite relaxing. It would not have been so, in my other cars. (4x4 and a TVR Tuscan)
MPG was approx 27mpg for the trip, but I feel the Tank is quite small. I am filling it up for around £45 using Super!. This means a range of just over 320 miles.
Back to familiar roads this morning, which means a great drive along a thirteen mile stretch of twisty, undulating A Roads, and the drive again was entertaining, considering I am still keeping the rev's down to a sensible limit. It's no Tuscan, in the overtaking department, but the confidence through the corners means you keep up a good road speed, and cover the ground quickly, but in a composed manner.
I have not driven a four wheel drive sports car before, and I am noticing through the corners how as you get on the power as the rear of the car squats down the front of the car gets pulled around, tightening the line as you continue around the bend.
My concerns before I picked up the car, is that I would find it boring, but with the winter months coming, I think as I can start to push on a bit, there's a chance I could be having some fun.
www.leftlanenews.com/wp-content/plugins/iimage-gallery.php?idpost=4102&idg=1&idi=7
www.leftlanenews.com/wp-content/plugins/iimage-gallery.php?idpost=4102&idg=1&idi=7
You know I quite like this!
I am currently having some repair work done on my Chimaera and the insurance offered me either a Boxter or a TT Cabriolet as a loan car. Couldn't be seen in a Boxter so chose the TT as it was a whole new experience to me. Fist they delivered the 2WD 1.8 which I drove a total of about a mile before I requested they return and bring me a proper car. Later that day they turned up with the 1.8T 4WD at first I didn't like it, compared to the TVR it was quiet, and sensible, and easy to drive (except for the turbo lag - nasty!), and generally OK. Bu as time wore on, I started to push it, started to keep it 'on turbo' (did I just make that up?) and I have to say I am now very impressed - don't get me wrong it ain't no TVR but if I knew no better then this car is excellent fun, and I venture to say probably quicker than the TVR across country through the twisties - although as it wasn't my car or my NCB then possibly I was a little more on the edge, if that is possible.
If the evolution of the old builds upon the experience I just had then surely they are on to a winner.
It does have a noticeable rake to the ride height though - maybe that's the secret.
AdrianR
That aero fix was a smokescreen. The real problem with the original TT was that it carried virtually no weight over the rear, so was prone to snap oversteer if a spacky driver backed off suddenly when the car was anything other than arrow straight. This new car has a load of aluminium in it, in all BUT the rear, which is mainly steel to help place some of the weight to the back. This should negate the need for the spoiler for the same reasons as before.
This is bound to be a better car dynamically, as it has been styled as a production sports model from the start - the old one was converted from a styling exercise with big compromises. The only problem it has is following from its forebear stylistically, as anything was bound to be labelled as worse looking than the original.
By the way, Evo reckons the 2wd poverty model with the Golf GTi engine is the pick of the bunch.
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