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Sports car of the future - Audi TT

Piotr Wnuk
Jun 7, 2016
3 min read

There are big things happening for the new TT. The 2016 version comes with a much more muscular shape, sharp edges and is trying to convince us that the infotainment system placed right at the top of the dashboard is really so ’last year’. We took a brand new Tango Red metallic chiselled racer for a spin around the town to check if it is going to dance us thought to the new sporty car territory…

The TT goes into the third generation next year, but thankfully we are able to test it right here right now. The first look and we were almost in love. In its profile, the TT hasn’t changed much since the previous generation and it remains very well recognizable as the Audi’s most popular coupe. The overhangs have been slightly tucked in to make some more space for the amazingly chiselled corners. The front actually brings some reminiscences to the R8 performance model with fantastic, new LED matrix headlamps, the trapezoidal ‘single frame’ grille, and a few new creases on the hood. When previously the TT could be taken for a lady driver car, this generation definitely targets male part of the population. It is undoubtedly an athletic car marked with its muscles here and there.

As much as the exterior is still totally TT despite a few changes, the interior has been redesigned totally. The new TT does no longer remind its first generation, but rather is looking towards its most potent R8 brother for an inspiration, cabin feel and look. It is transformed into a serious piece of sports car interior, which might have been slightly overlooked in the previous versions.

It takes a minute or two to comprehend that there is no more infotainment system plonked in the middle of the dashboard. It is gone for good along with the necessary control buttons. It might feel strange at first but just one look at the stunning new Audi Virtual Cockpit display and we no longer missed the mysteriously appearing 7inch LCD. Everything has been brought right in the front of the driver. Stunning 12.3-inch high-contrast screen replaces speedometer and rev clocks and delivers stunning, new user experience. It is fully customisable and especially useful when using a navigation on almost across the whole screen. Superb new idea proving that Audi’s ideology is not only a marketing slogan.

So what has been placed in the centre stack now? There are three very futuristic looking round vents crowned with a very simple and sophisticated looking control buttons. This look definitely delivers a racier feel and gives the dash a lovely swoopy lines.

Many previous TT generation owners were often complaining on wite a restricted space inside. You will find plenty of space inside the 2016 version. Even my 6 foot 5 did not have a problem to find a comfortable position. There is also more legroom in front than in most other sports cars or sporty coupes. At the back there is just enough space for shorter passengers and children with not too much headroom, but this car surely should be enjoyed from the front seats anyway.

Engines aren't that different than last year, with the TT powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 220 horses and the high-performance TTS boosted up to 292 of them. However, the key difference is a new structure and some serious diet plans the TT went through. The TT can now get to 60 mph in as little as 5.3 seconds and the TTS at 4.6 seconds. Add the new S-Tronic dual clutch and happy days, we have a car sporty enough for probably 99% of the Earth population.

A new progressive steering system brings a variable ratio rack with variable electric assist—amounting to a quick, nimble feeling on low-speed hairpins and a more relaxed, settled feel on the highway. The TT feels really light and nimble, and electronic systems help supplement the experience with the right sounds and feedback. Then there's Audi Drive Select, a multi-mode system that lets you tune a range of powertrain, steering, and stability behaviours. But putting the equipment on a side for a moment. This car feels and rives amazingly well, sticks to the tarmac and takes any corners with fantastic reassurance brought back to the driver’s mind thanks to the Quattro all-wheel drive system.

We feel that Audi have chosen the right path for the TT model. It looks the part, sounds amazing and drives even better. Thanks to the masses of technology on board will also provide hours of fun for the gadget hungry generation and a brand new sports car experience. Are we on board??? Yes, definitely…