2015 Audi TT S roadster review, test drive

Audi claims that the new TT Roadster is not only more stylish but has grown dynamically too. We went to Mallorca to find out.

Published on Mar 11, 2015 10:14:00 AM

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2015 Audi TT S roadster review, test drive

Like the exteriors, the driving experience impresses too. As we had limited time with the car, I chose to concentrate on the sportier S version. This TT is powered by a 1984cc four-cylinder turbocharged petrol motor. Making a healthy 306bhp, this engine has a specific output of 153bhp per litre! The motor pulls cleanly and very linearly to its redline. This gives it great flexibility, and its claimed time of 4.9sec to 100kph is completely believable. The hard-working six-speed twin clutch auto is brilliant and in sport mode, it keeps the motor in the meat of the powerband and progress is rapid. What makes this engine very usable in everyday driving is the really strong mid range. So, driving through buzzing towns on the island or belting down an open road is just a touch of the throttle pedal away. But what really surprises is the way this small capacity motor sounds. The powertrain is tuned to bark delightfully when shifting at full throttle. In normal operation, the TT’s soundtrack is pleasantly silky but at same time, sporty.

But being a sports car, it should not only sound good but thrill you around corners too. Audi has put in lots of technology in the TT. The quattro all-wheel-drive system now gets an electrohydraulic multi-plate clutch which ensures optimum power is distributed between the front and rear axles, depending on the road conditions. On slightly slippery and winding roads in Mallorca, the quattro system made sure that there is loads of grip and, combined with
the torque vectoring system, it kept understeer to a minimum. The AWD also means it can put down all the angry 300 plus horses in a very clean manner.

The weak point of the TT’s dynamic abilities though is its steering. The issue is not with its accuracy but more with the absence of feel. With some time behind the wheel, you do get used to it, and overall, the TT Roadster is good fun.