ON THE ROAD: AUDI TTS ROADSTER

What’s up with the "S" in TT S?

The Audi TTS is currently the pinnacle of the Audi TT range. It’s the top-of-the range model and the sportiest. At the moment the TT range of cars has the 2.0-litre turbo at the bottom and the 3.2-litre V6 after that. Audi normally badges its near-the-top cars as S models. Examples include the S3, S5 and the S6. But as is not the very top. We know the old RS4 and the new RS6. We also know an RS5 is on the way as well as a new RS4. I also suspect highly that a TT RS is being made which will be powered by a new 2.5-litre force-fed engine making about 260kW.





What makes this car special?

The drop-top canvass roof is one thing. It completely opens and closes (including windows) in an average of 14 seconds through a button located at the centre console. But mostly it’s the engine. Audi has not strayed far from home as it used the same 2.0-litre TFSI engine running cars like the Golf GTI and Audi A4 2.0 TFSI. This time it produces 195kW and 350Nm, which is quite commendable for a four-cylinder 2.0-litre mill.You can tell it's a TTS from the badging, the 18-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, polished aluminium side mirrors and petrol cap and the Audi S-typical four exhaust pipes.







It must go fast

It sure does. Put through its paces we found it could dispatch the 0 – 100km/h mark in just 6.1 seconds. A quicker time would have been possible we reckon had the turbo spooled faster. Altitudes of 1600m where we test are treacherous for performance. I also didn’t use launch-control but just took off the way a “normal” boy racer would; floor the right pedal. However thanks to the quattro all-wheel-drive system, grip is always present whether it’s during take-off or cornering. You do get a hint of understeer as expected but it’s easily countered by the AWD itself. One of the most enjoyable periods when driving the TTS Roadster is the blip sound it makes when changing up gears especially in semi-auto mode.





Interior is nice

I particularly like the two-tone leather sports seats with closed stitching around the edges. It features sports aluminium pedals, aluminium touches on the dashboard, leather steering wheel with a flat bottom, gearshift pedals at the back of the steering wheel and electrically adjustable seats. My test unit came with extras like satellite navigation, a 6-CD changer, powerful BOSE sound system and parking distance assistance. All in all these and other extras pushed up the price to R628 650. These new TTs are also better with the blind spot than the previous generation.





You’ve just mentioned the price. Isn’t it a bit too high?

It actually falls within its segment, right between the BMW Z4 (due for replacement in Mzansi in mid-2009) and the Mercedes-Benz SLK 350, though all three use very different methods to produce their power. Its Porsche cousin the Boxster is some way up but that’s the price you pay for a Porsche.





QUICK STATS

AUDI TTS

ENGINE: 2.0-litre straight four, turbo

POWER: 195kW / 265hp at 6000rpm; 350Nm at 2500rpm

0 – 100KM/H: 6.1 seconds

GEARBOX: 6-speed DSG/ S tronic

TOP SPEED: 240km/h limited

FUEL AVERAGE: 13.8 l/100km

CO2 e: 190 g/km

PRICE: R579 000

NATURAL RIVALS: BMW Z4 3.0si Steptronic, Mercedes-Benz SLK 350, Porsche Boxster Tiptronic

*PRICE RIVALS: BMW 330i Convertible Steptronic, Mercedes-Benz E350, Volvo S80 V8 Geartronic, Audi S5 Tiptronic, Lotus Elise SC, BMW Z4 M Coupe, Volvo XC90 3.2, Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI.

BABE-MAGNETIC FACTOR: Very High





*A price rival falls within R20 000 or so of the subject’s price on either side of its price spectrum.