New TT quickly turning heads; EDWARD STEPHENS looks at the Audi TT range, includintg the 'go faster' and powerful TTS

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Oct 17, 2008

Byline: EDWARD STEPHENS

THE Audi TT might have been around for a while now, but in recent years it has evolved from a model into a range.

In the beginning there were the two Quattro versions - with the same 1.8-litre four cylinder engines but varying degrees of power - a 185bhp and a 220bhp.

Both were coupes, but it wasn't too long before the soft-top Roadsters appeared on the scene.

The four cylinder engines were joined by six cylinder units and the 1.8-litre engines were eventually replaced by the current 2.0-litre units.

The latest TT models to join the range both boast 2.0-litre engines - but both are very different.

The first, and I have to say my favourite, was a car I wouldn't have thought possible a few years ago - a diesel TT Roadster Quattro.

With 170bhp, this turbo diesel engine is perfectly matched to the TT, giving punchy delivery of power, impressive torque and very sensible fuel consumption.

One might be tempted to think that buying the diesel would be a trade off - limited power for better fuel consumption. But in the case of the TT, that's definitely not the case.

It might not have the same top speed as the petrol powered versions and the 0-62mph time might not be quite as quick, but in both cases the figures are still pretty dynamic. This oil burner will hit 62mph in 7.7 seconds on the way to a top speed of 139mph. But the real beauty of it is in its midrange flexibility, which not only makes for sporting performance but also very relaxed driving.

The bonus is an average of more than 51mpg.

The downside is the extra money up-front that you have to find for the diesel engine, with the coupe priced at pounds 26,600 and the Roadster at pounds 28,600.

The Roadster I tried was packed with optional extras and had a final price of almost pounds 38,000. And while most people wouldn't go that far the pounds 550 for red Nappa leather to contrast with the Ibis white exterior was definitely worth it. The car being a real head turner. In contrast, the other TT I sampled was the new four cylinder 2.0-litre "go faster" TTS model at pounds 32,800.

This is the TT for real speed enthusiasts with a 0- 62mph time of just 5.4 seconds with the six-speed manual gearbox version - quicker than even the 3.2- litre V6 TT. Both have the same top speed limited to 155mph.

On the road this TT is blisteringly quick, while at the same time being very quiet and very civilised.

The handling of the two models varies slightly, but in both cases the road holding and comfort leave nothing to be desired.

Sports cars they may be, but they possess the same comfort as Audi's saloons and hatchbacks. And there is no doubting the fact that the new current generation of TT models are a world away from the originals.

Good as the first models were, the new ones are on a different plane when it comes to refinement and comfort.

CAPTION(S):

SERIOUSLY FAST TRANSPORT - the new four cylinder 2.0-litre TTS model at pounds 32,800