by Liz Turner
The Audi TT is an object of desire, like an Eames chair or a vintage Cartier watch. Even people who claim not to care about cars know what is, and will give a nod of approval.
The first chunky ‘Bauhaus’-style TT changed the perception of its mother brand, and made the word ‘sporty’ a more frequent adjective for an Audi car. Some 50,000 were sold, and those cars became instant classics, much beloved and polished. The second generation lacked some of the original’s character, but it sold 60,000.
I was excited to be invited to drive the third generation Coupé on the gorgeous open roads around Loch Lomond, staying in the grand, Gothic Mar Hall Hotel.
This generation is sportier to drive, thanks in part to its light, stiff body, made from a mix of aluminum and steel.
Its lines are simple and drawn with confidence inside and out. The gaping maw at the front echoes the Audi R8 supercar, and it has a lovely rounded bum. Inside its dark and rather cosy, the ridges and lines of the doors and dash resembling a crystalline structure grown around the driver.
Someone clever has clearly started with a clean piece of paper when designing the controls. It seems so obvious to put the map for the sat-nav directly ahead of the driver on the control panel, but it’s the first time I’ve seen it done, and why not have the controls for the air-con and heating on the vents themselves?
The speedo and rev counter are digital images of traditional dials sharing the central panel with the map, or you can call up other controls using switches on the wheel, or the central twisty, pushy knob on the central console.
I wouldn’t like to try to sit in the rear ‘seats’, even kids would feel claustrophobic, but the load area under the hatch is very roomy for luggage.
Thrills on empty Scottish roads…
I started with the upscale S-line quattro, with Audi’s signature all-wheel drive and clever automatic gearbox. (Only the original Quattro is allowed to have a capital Q). The car is smart enough to work out which wheels need extra grip in snow or ice, and it can switch to two-wheel drive to save fuel in less challenging conditions.
The petrol engine gave a lovely deep growl as we headed past the gold and rust-coloured autumn landscape to the gently lapping water of Loch Lomond. The low down seating position, firm pedals and chunky steering wheel felt like little bear’s porridge – just right. Corners were a fairground-ride thrill.
This model had lowered suspension and huge 20-inch wheels that look great, but made the ride rather hard and jolting over the bumps, and road noise was closer to road racket. That’s the sacrifice you make for being sporty.
The next car we tried was a diesel 2.0 TDi ultra, the ‘ultra’ referring to the technology that has achieved stonking performance with impression fuel consumption and emissions. Its slightly smaller wheels made the ride slightly less harsh.
I did like having a manual gearbox. However clever the S-tronic might be, I find stirring the gearlever makes me feel more connected to the car.
As a couple of lorries threatened to ruin my drive, I was able to slip it down a gear, put my foot down and simply ooze past, propelled by the diesel’s ample oomph (that’s torque to us car geeks).
The Audi has to be good to snatch buyers from its rivals. The Coupé I drove will go against the Porsche Cayman and sporty M235i; the Roadster will face the Porsche Boxster, Mercedes SLK and BMW Z4.
It is very good, and it’s guaranteed to be on every chic woman’s motoring wishlist.
Audi TT Coupé
Price from £29,770, TTS from £38,790
2.0 TFSI quattro 6-speed S tronic
Price £35,335
Power 230 PS
Max speed 150mph (electronically limited)
0-62mph 5.3 seconds
Economy 44.1mpg
C02, BIK 149g/km, 22%
2.0 TDI ultra 6-speed manual
Price £29,770
Power 184 PS
Max speed 150mph (electronically limited)
0-62mph 71. seconds
Economy 67.3mpg
CO2, BIK 110, 18%