Some may criticize the Audi TT for only being available with a 4-cylinder engine, while the BMW Z4, the Mercedes-Benz SLK and the Porsche Boxster all boast at least 6 cylinders. Yes, a V6 used to be available in the TT, but not anymore.
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| The 2010 TTS Roadster starts at $61,900. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
Why? Because Audi created the TTS, that’s why. The German automaker extracted more power from its 4-pot engine and is lighter on the front wheels, so it’s win-win.
This 4-cylinder marvel is a turbocharged and intercooled, 2.0-litre unit with direct injection. It flaunts 265 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and sounds ticked off, spitting and snorting every time the standard 6-speed, double-clutch gearbox bangs off a full-throttle upshift.
It makes the TTS pretty quick, too. Zero to 100 km/h takes 5.8 seconds and rips through a quarter-mile of asphalt in 14.0 seconds at 165 km/h. The gearbox switches gears, up or down, quickly and intelligently; it doesn’t second-guess when you want extra thrust and downshifts multiple gears at once, especially in sport mode. Paddle shifters are also available if the driver thinks he can do a better job at it.
Any version of the TT is a sweet handler, and the TTS is a smidgen more brilliant down twisty mountain roads and on a track; the steering is surgically precise and you feel the road like the tires were an extension of your fingers. Expect a slightly harsh ride in the TTS, though.
Fuel economy is excellent for a sports car with this level of performance. Our average of 9.3 L/100 km is lower than what a base Porsche Boxster and Mercedes SLK300 can manage, which are both powered by less-powerful 6-cylinder engines.
The snug cockpit is highlighted by impeccable fit and finish; the dash and centre console are littered with rich textures and metallic trim, while the steering wheel gets sporty contrast stitching. The flat-bottom rim definitely looks racy, but personally, there’s an unnatural feel when you’re turning it a full 360 degrees. The seats in our tester are covered with the optional Baseball Optic Leather upholstery, which feels like sitting in a baseball mitt (this isn’t a complaint, just an observation). 2010 Audi TTS Roadster 2.0 TFSI Review from (http://www.auto123.com/en/audi/tts-roadster/2010/review?carid=1100603102&artid=124381)
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| The dash and centre console are littered with rich textures and metallic trim. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
